The Perfect Solution For Sore Muscles

 Herbal muscle rubs are soothing and can be applied to your sore muscles to help soothe those aches and pains of overexertion. One of my favorite ways to use homemade muscle rubs, is to rub them gently on sore aching muscles while my little patients are ill. It not only smells soothing and make breathing feel easier, it also helps warm and then relax those stiff aches away. 

Before making the gluten connection with one of my children, he would suffer from stomach aches and cramping.

I used to use a homemade muscle rub on his lower back and abdominals. It really helped him to relax. Cover the area with a clean towel to keep it warm and improve the relaxing experience. 

To make an herbal muscle rub, use any combination of the following warming or anti-inflammatory herbs. Remember, lard is not only the historic base for salves, it also absorbs so well. If you aren't using animal fats, feel free to use oils and waxes instead. 

White Pine

 For a tree that is often overlooked in many of our yards, white pine is surprisingly useful in the herbal cupboard. White pine is a great herb to add to your rubs.

Another bonus of using this herbal tree, is that you can harvest the pine needles any time of year. I prefer to use my pine needles fresh, so there have been snowy days where I was seen trudging out through the drifts to pull together an herbal remedy for a sick family member inside the house.

 

I prefer the taste of pine needles now, that citrus flavor is hard to beat. Especially in the dead of winter. Try taking a few handfuls and chopping it up as fine as you can, then adding the oil to gently warm.

Ginger

 It probably comes as no surprise that Ginger is on the list. I always use powdered ginger for this application, and it is one of my most common ingredients. A plain ginger rub is an effective way to create a simple muscle rub probably with ingredients you already have in the kitchen.  More »

Rosemary

 Rosemary's resinous nature makes it a natural for a muscle rub ingredient. You can buy rosemary sprigs in most grocery stores, even in winter. They are located in the fresh produce aisle, often hanging in packets around the lettuce and other salad greens area. 

I use dried rosemary for this as well, but it is my own. In my experience, any dried rosemary from the grocery shelf has outlived it's freshness before it is even purchased.

  More »

  The brightness of mint is a must have for a soothing muscle rub. It's penetrating coolness and soothing scent seem like the perfect ingredient, right? 

Mint is so common all year round. You can use fresh or dried for this application. I usually use dried and have the infused oil waiting to be added to my muscle rub recipe.  

Thyme is perhaps an unusual ingredient, but thyme is wonderful for use in relieving aching muscles and relaxing coughing spasms. Thyme can be used fresh or dried, although it is simple enough to grow indoors, so why not keep your supply at your fingertips? 

Muscle rubs can contain many ingredients, making them a variety of strengths. I prefer my muscle rubs to feel soothing and smell amazing, so herbs are my ingredients of choice.

Try some of the above herbs for your next recipe, and let me know how it turns out for you.