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
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.
Is cayenne pepper good for nerve pain? ›
Cayenne is commonly used in these ways: Topical analgesic. It desensitizes local nerves and decreases pain due to certain conditions. These include post-herpetic neuralgia caused by shingles.
What does cayenne pepper do when applied topically? ›
Pain relief
Capsaicin has powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. It reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain, in your body. When there is less substance P, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and you feel relief.
How to make a topical cream with cayenne pepper? ›
Directions
- Add olive oil and cayenne powder into a heatproof glass jar.
- Place that glass jar into a saucepan that contains about an inch of water to create a double boiler.
- Stir the mixture in the glass jar while the water simmers for 15 minutes over medium heat.
- Remove the jar to cool for 30 minutes.
How To Make A DIY Pain Relief Cream
- 1/2 cup coconut oil.
- 2 tsp beeswax pellets.
- 15 drops Restore Essential Oil Blend.
To make a home remedy that includes cayenne pepper, a person could try the following: Combine 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) of cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of honey, 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp of water, then taking the mixture by the teaspoon.
What do turmeric and cayenne pepper do? ›
Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, spices and herbs like turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, cloves, coriander, and sage can fight inflammation, protect against chronic conditions, and can even help with losing weight.
Is cayenne pepper a good antibiotic? ›
Antimicrobial Properties
Cayenne pepper has antibacterial and antifungal properties. In addition, research shows that it helps prevent infections.
How do I stop nerve pain ASAP? ›
Ten home remedies for a pinched nerve
- Extra sleep and rest. Sleep is essential for a healing nerve. ...
- Change of posture. A pinched nerve may be caused by or made worse by poor posture. ...
- Ergonomic workstation. ...
- Pain relieving medications. ...
- Stretching and yoga. ...
- Massage or physical therapy. ...
- Splint. ...
- Elevate the legs.
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 types of medicine are used for nerve pain?
- tramadol, a pain medicine.
- lignocaine, a local anaesthetic.
- capsaicin.
- botulinum toxin A (Botox)
What you'll do:
- Measure 1/2 cup carrier oil of choice into saucepan.
- Add 2 tsp of cayenne powder to the carrier oil.
- Warm over low heat for about 30 minutes, then turn off and allow to cool.
- Strain to remove the cayenne solids from the oil.
- Return the oil (now a beautiful orange) to heat and re-warm.
And it works wonders on sore feet, too! Here's why it works. Hot peppers, like the cayenne pepper, contain a natural ingredient called capsaicin. Capsaicin stimulates the release of a compound believed to communicate pain between the nerves in the spinal cord and other parts of the body.
What happens when you rub capsaicin on your sore muscles? ›
CAPSAICIN (cap SAY sin) relieves minor pain in your muscles and joints. It works by making your skin feel warm or cool, which blocks pain signals going to the brain. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
How do you make natural healing salve? ›
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.
From helping with inflammation, soreness, blood circulation, numbness of the limbs, an under-active thyroid, etc.
