Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (2024)

Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (1)

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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.

Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (2)

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.

GET THE BONUSES

Cayenne Salve for Natural Pain Relief

by Rosalee de la Forêt

Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (3)

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.

Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (4)

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4.86 from 7 votes

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)


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Cayenne Salve Recipe: DIY Natural Pain Relief - Simple Life Mom (2024)

FAQs

How do you use cayenne pepper for nerve pain? ›

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.

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.

Is cayenne pepper a pain killer? ›

The hot and spicy taste of cayenne pepper is mostly due to a substance known as capsaicin, which helps reduce pain.

What is cayenne pepper salve good for? ›

Though small, this plant is highly stimulating, even when used externally such as in salves. Used topically it can help to relieve inflammation and pain in bruises, sore muscles, and achy joints. It can also help to relieve pressure from bruises by increasing the blood circulation.

What is the ratio for homemade salve? ›

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.

What works immediately for nerve pain? ›

What types of medicine are used for nerve pain?
  • tramadol, a pain medicine.
  • lignocaine, a local anaesthetic.
  • capsaicin.
  • botulinum toxin A (Botox)

How do I stop nerve pain ASAP? ›

The combination of hot and cold increases the circulation of fresh blood to the area, which may help relieve pain. Hold an ice pack over the affected area for about 15 minutes at a time, three times a day, to help reduce inflammation. Heat pads can be applied for a longer period, up to 1 hour, three times a day.

What is the strongest herb for nerve pain? ›

Herbs that are in the “nervine” category can be very nourishing and soothing to the nerve tissue. Among the best are Chinese skullcap, lemon balm, wood betony, St. John's wort, chamomile, prickly ash and milky oats.

What is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory for joints? ›

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and stiffness. Studies show that those who ate omega-3 rich foods or took a fish oil supplement had a reduction in joint pain. If you're not a fan of fish, try plant-based sources of Omega-3 foods such as ground flax, flaxseed oil and walnuts.

What is good to rub on arthritic joints? ›

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Several topical products (Voltaren Arthritis Pain, Pennsaid, others) are made with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine called diclofenac. They treat osteoarthritis in joints that are close to the skin, such as the hands and knees.

What two spices are good for arthritis? ›

Best Spices for Arthritis
  • Anti-inflammatory Spice Basics. When you have arthritis, your joints and sometimes other parts of your body become inflamed, and many spices inhibit certain inflammatory pathways in the body. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Cayenne. ...
  • General Tips for Using Spices.

How to make cayenne salve? ›

What you'll do:
  1. Measure 1/2 cup carrier oil of choice into saucepan.
  2. Add 2 tsp of cayenne powder to the carrier oil.
  3. Warm over low heat for about 30 minutes, then turn off and allow to cool.
  4. Strain to remove the cayenne solids from the oil.
  5. Return the oil (now a beautiful orange) to heat and re-warm.

How to prepare cayenne pepper for pain? ›

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.

What spice is a pain killer? ›

Turmeric

Curcuma, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, has pain-relieving qualities. A 2021 review claims that curcumin shows a reduction in pain similar to that of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How do you make natural healing salve? ›

Place beeswax in a double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the beeswax melts. Add herbal oils and stir over low heat until well-mixed. Remove from heat and add the essential oil(s). Quickly pour warm mixture into prepared tins, glass jars, or lip balm tubes and allow to cool completely.

What oil do you mix with cayenne pepper? ›

From helping with inflammation, soreness, blood circulation, numbness of the limbs, an under-active thyroid, etc.

How do you make self heal salve? ›

Self Heal Salve Recipe

To make: Combine about 1/3 cup crumbled dried self heal with about 3/4 cup oil of your choice (olive or sunflower works well for salves). Leave uncovered and set the jar in a saucepan with a few inches of water; heat over medium low for 2 to 3 hours.

How long do homemade salves last? ›

It's easy to adjust the consistency of a salve by adding a bit more oil to make it more spreadable or more beeswax to thicken or harden it. Homemade salves without any preservative agents will last about 6 to 8 months at room temperature out of direct heat and sunlight. Refrigerated, they'll keep for a year or more.

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