Pain-Relieving Salves

Simple Homemade Herbal Pain Salves (7 Easy Recipes)

I hate to have to admit it, but I am getting old, and with age comes pain. Back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, even painful bunions; sometimes it seems like everything hurts. By golly, I have even thrown my back out from just sneezing.

Foot soaks can do wonders for my feet, but sometimes I simply do not want to put in the effort. That’s when having a pain salve on hand to massage into my feet, or any sore spot, is an absolute blessing.

The thing about pain salves is that they can work fast. Rub a warming cayenne salve into a stiff lower back, and within minutes, you feel that deep heat loosening things up. Massage cooling peppermint onto a tense neck, and the relief is almost instant. There is something deeply satisfying about making medicine that works this well with your own hands.

Salves can be customized to work for a variety of needs. The best part? You can make them at home without any fancy equipment. Salves are not just for pain. You can make them for dry skin, cuts, burns, bug bites, or bruises. Once you know the basics, you can customize them for whatever your body needs. This post will focus on pain-relieving blends, but the same principles apply to any herbal salve.

Why Herbal Salves?

Herbal salves are perfect for beginners because they are:

• Easy to make: No fancy equipment; just oils, beeswax, herbs, optionally essential oils, salve tins or small jars, and a double boiler

• Portable: Keep a jar in your bag, your nightstand, or even your desk drawer, so that relief is always within reach

• Effective: The combination of infused herbs and essential oils delivers soothing relief directly where it hurts

New to making herbal-infused oils or salves? Check out my blogs, Herbal Infused Oils and Basics of Creating Herbal Salves - they will walk you through the fundamentals.

How to Make Your Salve (Basic Method)

1. Infuse your chosen herbs in oil in a double boiler over low heat for 3-6+ hours, or slowly in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks

2. Strain out the herbs

3. Using a double boiler over low heat, melt beeswax into the infused oil

4. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding any essential oils, stir thoroughly, and pour into small jars or tins

5. Let cool completely before putting the lids in place

Ratios:

• Dried herbs: Fill jar about 1/2-¾ full, then cover with oil (roughly 1 cup herbs to 2 cups oil)

• Beeswax: 1 oz of beeswax per 4 oz infused oil, use more beeswax for a stiffer salve or hot climates, or less wax for a softer salve or in a cold climate

• Essential oils:

  • For a 1% dilution, use 5-6 drops per oz of infused oil

  • For a 2% dilution, use 10-12 drops per oz of infused oil

Tips

• Label your salves: Note the herbs and date made. Most salves last 6–12 months when stored in a cool, dark place

• Storage: Keep in a small glass jar with a tight lid, or a salve tin

• Application: A little goes a long way, so start with a pea-sized amount for each application

• Patch test: Always test on a small area of skin to make sure you do not have a sensitivity to any ingredient

Simple Herbal Salves for Different Kinds of Pain

Here are some of my favorite beginner-friendly salve blends. Each one is easy to make and tailored for different kinds of aches:

Balm of Gilead

This is the classic pain salve, and may be the only one you need. Cottonwood buds are sticky and resinous, offering deep relief.

• Herbs

  • Cottonwood (Populus spp.): thanks to salicin (related to aspirin), cottonwood is excellent for arthritis, sore joints, muscle pain, and general inflammation; additionally, it helps heal wounds and soothes the skin

• Essential Oils (optional)

  • Balsam Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis): enhances the anti-inflammatory action, wonderful for chronic pain

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Avocado oil: fast absorption, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory

  • Sesame oil: light, absorbs well, longer shelf life

    
    

Muscle Relief Salve

After a long day of physical labor, it’s such a relief to reach for this blend. It eases inflammation and helps tired muscles recover.

• Herbs

  • Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): skin-soothing, calms irritation, reduces inflammation, and offers gentle pain relief; perfect for tired or overworked muscles

  • Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): vulnerary (wound-healer), helps with sprains, strains, burns, scrapes, and sore joints, and has anti-rheumatic and anodyne (pain-relieving) actions that make it a wonderful herb for muscle recovery and general wear and tear (do not use on broken skin or puncture wounds)

• Essential Oils (optional)

  • Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia): analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic, offering deeper relief for tight or aching muscles

  • Black spruce (Picea mariana): a warming oil that supports circulation, helps ease muscle spasms, and reduces swelling and stiffness

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Coconut oil: offers a rich, protective base that softens the skin and creates a firmer salve texture

  • Sweet almond oil: lighter feel that absorbs quickly

Warming Cayenne Salve

This is a comforting salve that delivers soothing heat to your muscles, supporting circulation and easing tension in tired muscles and joints; great when you are chilled or after hours on your feet. Massage a small amount into cold or stiff muscles, feet, or lower back. Avoid broken skin and be mindful around sensitive areas; be sure to wash your hands well after application!

• Herbs

  • Cayenne (Capsicum annuum): a circulatory stimulant that increases blood flow to sore or stiff areas, bringing warmth and faster healing thanks to the active compound of capsaicin, which eases pain by blocking pain signals and improving mobility

    • Safety note: Cayenne can burn - test on a small area first. Keep away from eyes, broken skin, and mucous membranes. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying!

  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale): warming and anti-inflammatory, ginger helps relax tight muscles and soothe achy joints; wonderful for easing tension and promoting overall comfort after exertion

• Essential Oil (optional)

  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale): deeply warming, helps relieve stiffness, soreness, and general chill

  • Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana): warming and anti-inflammatory; excellent for easing pain when inflammation and tension are present

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Kpangnan butter: adds anti-inflammatory benefits

  • Hemp: quickly absorbed, supports circulation and skin healing

Cooling Relief Salve

This is the salve to grab on hot days or when everything is swollen. Refreshing, soothing, and reviving; try it on tired feet, calves, or on the back of your neck on hot days. Perfect after summer hikes. Store it somewhere cool for extra relief.

• Herbs

  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): naturally cooling, invigorating, and anti-inflammatory; peppermint eases soreness, soothes swelling, and brings instant refreshment

  • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): calming and skin-soothing, reduces inflammation and relaxes tension in overworked muscles

• Essential Oils (optional)

  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): enhances the cooling effect and promotes circulation

  • Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus dives): adds a crisp, refreshing scent and helps open airways, great for tension in the shoulders and neck

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Tallow: creates a smooth, nourishing base that holds coolness on the skin

  • Shea butter: soft and moisturizing, balances the intensity of peppermint for gentle relief

Joint & Muscle Relief Salve

This one wakes up circulation while fighting inflammation; good for stiff, achy joints. Apply to stiff joints in the morning or as a muscle rub after a long day.

• Herbs

  • Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): stimulates blood flow, relieves stiffness, and warms cold muscles

  • Yard daisies (Bellis perennis): excellent for bruises, sprains, inflammation, joint discomfort

• Essential Oils (optional)

  •  Black pepper (Piper nigrum): warming and energizing, encourages circulation and muscle relaxation

  • German chamomile (Matricaria recutita): a blue oil that is effective for reducing swelling, pain, and bruising from muscle, tendon, or ligament injury

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Tamanu: rich, restorative, excellent for joints and tendons

  • Kombo butter: deeply nourishing, anti-inflammatory

Nerve Pain Salve

This salve is the one to reach for when you have overdone it: aching joints, nerve twinges, or that deep soreness that will not fade. Soothing, restorative, and supportive for inflammation and minor nerve pain.

• Herbs

  • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum): known for its nerve-soothing properties; ideal for neuralgic pain, soreness, inflammation, and promotes tissue repair

  • Calendula (Calendula officinalis): vulnerary (skin-healing), reduces inflammation, and encourages regeneration of damaged or irritated tissue

• Essential Oils (optional)

  • Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): anti-inflammatory, helps ease stiffness and chronic soreness

  • Juniper berry (Juniperus communis): stimulating, promotes circulation, and reduces puffiness

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Jojoba: light, deeply penetrating, and gentle for sensitive skin

  • Olive: rich, nourishing, good for long-term healing

Sinus Headache Temple Rub

I am including this because sinus headaches are their own special kind of misery. This is a wonderful salve to keep on hand when you suffer from allergies.

• Herbs

  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): opens airways, cools inflammation, eases head pressure

  • Plantain (Plantago spp.): helps clear sinuses and break up mucus, soothes inflammation

• Essential Oils (optional)

  • Lime, distilled (Citrus aurantifolia): supports the immune system, antimicrobial, eases sinus congestion

  • Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata): gently opens sinuses, reduces congestion

• Carrier Oils to Consider

  • Grapeseed: light, absorbs quickly, will not leave you greasy on your face or temples

  • Apricot kernel: gentle and nourishing, excellent for sensitive facial skin

Final Thoughts

Making your first salve can feel intimidating, but it is honestly simpler than it looks. Pick one recipe, or just one herb, gather your supplies, and get started. Even if it is not perfect, you will learn something - and you will probably end up with something that works better than what you could buy at the store. Let me know your favorite salve recipe!

For more in-depth guidance on natural pain relief beyond salves, check out my Natural Pain Relief Remedies Guide in my shop.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always check with a healthcare provider before using herbal products, especially if you have underlying conditions, are pregnant, or take medications.