Cayenne Salve has been used for joint and muscle pain for centuries. It’s a remedy that my grandmother had passed down to her from her own grandmother, and one I’ve learned over the years as well. This Cayenne Salve Recipe is easy to make and use, and it is very effective.
Why Cayenne?
Cayenne naturally works to reduce inflammation and relax muscles. It contains capsaicin, which is the “hotness” in hot chilis. Capsaicin is believed to temporarily effect nerves by blocking the signal sent to your brain that communicates pain for that area. This is why when you eat a super hot chili your tongue will burn and then become numb (probably not fast enough for most of us). When a cayenne salve is applied to the skin however, there is a tingling, warming feeling at first, followed by the pain signals being temporarily blocked. This results in pain relief for your joints and muscles, as well as a reduction in inflammation.
Alchemy of Herbs
Rosalee de la Forêt is graciously sharing her cayenne salve recipe with us today. This is just one of SO many fabulous recipes found in her new book, Alchemy of Herbs. I received my copy just a few days ago and am loving every page! It’s full of delicious medicinal ways to use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
BUY THE BOOK
If you hurry, you can jump in and get the Bonuses for this book as well. They’ve officially closed extra entries into the Bonus Kitchen Apothecary, but I happen to know that it’s still open, so if you buy the book, make sure you head over there quickly to get the printables, herb labels, videos, and more.
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Cayenne Salve for Natural Pain Relief
by Rosalee de la Forêt
This simple salve can be made very quickly for minor pain relief. It works great for sore muscles and joints, bruises, and even nerve pain. If using for arthritic pain, use it daily, and note that it may take a week or two to see results. This salve can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, but use within six months for best results.
This is a hot mixture!
This salve should be used externally only, and not on broken skin, as it may sting open wounds. Even on closed skin, you may feel a bit of burning or heat in the area where it is applied. Sensitive individuals may experience tenderness or blistering. If this happens, discontinue use until the area is healed, then apply less often or in smaller amounts.
Caution: When cayenne comes in contact with your mucosal membranes or eyes, it will burn! Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching cayenne. Consider using gloves to apply the salve to the desired area. If you are using the salve on your hands, consider applying it at night and sleeping with gloves on.
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Cayenne Salve: DIY for Natural Pain Relief
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time3 hours hrs
Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Keyword: hand salve, pain relief
Servings: 4 ounces
Author: Rosalee de la Forêt
Ingredients
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons cayenne powder – 15 grams
- ½ ounce Beeswax – 14 grams
Instructions
The first step is to infuse your oil. You can do this with a double boiler or slow cooker. Take care not to let the oil get too hot or “fry” the herbal material. 100˚F is an ideal temperature for the oil.
Double-boiler method: Put 1 to 2 inches of water in the bottom of a double boiler. (Alternatively, fill a pot with 1 to 2 inches of water and place a tight-fitting bowl on top.) Place the oil and cayenne powder in the top. Heat over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, until the oil is fairly warm. Turn off the heat and let stand for 20 minutes to cool a bit. Repeat this warming and cooling process for 2 to 3 hours.
Slow-cooker method: Place the mixture in a slow cooker, yogurt incubator, or other low-temperature appliance that can maintain the oil temperature at 100˚F for 2 to 3 hours.
Pour your infused oil through a strainer lined with two layers of cheesecloth.
Gently heat the beeswax over low heat in a small saucepan or double boiler until it is melted. Stir in the infused oil and continue mixing until wax and oil are thoroughly combined.
Immediately pour this mixture into jars or tins and let cool.
Recipe from Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies That Heal by Rosalee de la Forêt (Hay House, 2017)
FAQs
Cayenne pepper contains a compound called capsaicin, which can be used as a topical pain reliever. Slightly heat up ½ cup of coconut oil and mix in two tablespoons of cayenne pepper powder. Apply the gel on the affected area for 20 minutes, three times per day.
How do you make joint pain salve? ›
Reduce Arthritis Inflammation with this Homemade Cream
- 1/2 cup olive oil.
- 3 tablespoons cayenne powder.
- 1 cup coconut oil.
- 1 coffee filter or cheesecloth.
- 1 heat-proof glass jar or bowl.
- 1 glass jar with a tightly fitting lid for storage.
Native Americans have used cayenne (Capsicum annuum, frutescens, or red pepper) as both food and medicine for at least 9,000 years. The hot and spicy taste of cayenne pepper is mostly due to a substance known as capsaicin, which helps reduce pain.
Does cayenne pepper help with joint pain? ›
Ointments made from cayenne stop muscle and joint pain by "confusing" pain transmitters. They also block pain messages from the skin. When taken by mouth, cayenne may also aid in digestion and improve circulation. It may also reduce cholesterol and blood fat levels and decrease body weight.
Can you use cayenne pepper topically? ›
It's commonly used in cooking. Bell pepper and paprika are the mild forms of this pepper. When you apply it to your skin (topically), cayenne works to relieve pain.
How do you make homemade pain relief balm? ›
How To Make A DIY Pain Relief Cream
- 1/2 cup coconut oil.
- 2 tsp beeswax pellets.
- 15 drops Restore Essential Oil Blend.
Method
- First you will need to make an infused oil. ...
- Take 100ml of your infused herbal oil.
- Warm in a bain-marie, add 15g beeswax until it has melted.
- Take it off the heat.
- Whilst it is still warm add any essential oils you want to.
- Pour this into some salve jars.
- Allow to cool and then add a lid, label and store.
Mixing Your Salve
I typically make my salve with an oil to beeswax ratio of 3:1 or 4:1, which results in a thick but still easily spreadable texture. For example, in my latest batch I had about 100 mL of melted beeswax so I added about 300 mL of oil.
How to make painkiller oil at home? ›
Heat mustard oil in a pan on medium heat and pour it into a glass bowl. Add freshly ground ajwain seeds or ajwain powder, followed by eucalyptus oil. Mix well and apply to the affected areas. Massage this DIY painkiller oil on the affected parts and derive the benefits of oil massage on body.
What is the strongest essential oil for pain? ›
Which Essential Oils Are Best For Pain? One of Mother nature's most powerful painkillers, peppermint oil is frequently used for alleviating pain [1]. Closely related to peppermint, wintergreen oil boasts similar properties due to its methyl salicylate component.
Apply enough to cover the painful area, and rub it into your skin until it disappears. Then wash your hands immediately to avoid accidentally getting it into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
What is the most potent natural pain reliever? ›
Endorphins: The brain's natural pain reliever - Harvard Health.
Why not to use cayenne pepper? ›
Cayenne peppers, both fresh and dried, are safe to eat and can spice up many foods. But if you eat too much, you can have some unwanted side effects, such as upset stomach or heartburn.
How do you take cayenne pepper for medicinal purposes? ›
Start out by taking cayenne once per day.
Tinctures, capsules, and cayenne drinks are the most effective way to use cayenne when fighting high blood pressure; however, in addition to getting cayenne in drinks, capsules, and tinctures, you can have a few snacks or meals that incorporate cayenne.
How to make homemade cayenne pepper? ›
Instructions
- Harvest Cayenne Peppers from plant.
- Spread them out on dehydrator shelves to encourage air flow.
- Dehydrate them at 145 degrees for 10 hours, as a starting point. ...
- Wearing gloves, remove top, and sprinkle out seeds. ...
- Add peppers to spice grinder or blender and grind into a fine powder.
Directions:
- Start with a cleaned and sterilized glass jar. ...
- Measure out 3-4 cups of vodka or other menstruum and place inside your jar. ...
- Place the lid back on your jar and mix thoroughly.
- Label your homemade Tincture with the Date and Ingredients.
- Store in a cool dry place such as a kitchen cabinet.
So if you're looking to determine your ideal cayenne pepper dosage for high blood pressure or healthy blood circulation, your best bet is to stick to the studied doses of 2 to 9 milligrams per day and, when in doubt, listen to your body's response to the spice.
