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I have heard my friends go on and on about the wonders of arnica for years now. Every time, I mentioned that my kid fell and got a new bruise, my friends would ask if I had arnica.
I’m ashamed to admit that I never thought it was worth the effort to really look into it or buy it. Oh how I was wrong!
Arnica is a wonderful plant and when you turn it into arnica salve, it becomes a must have in the medicine cabinet.
Now that I have tried arnica, I’m in love with it and so are my kids!
If my kids fall and get hurt, they instantly ask for “oil” now to fix their owies. My kids know that arnica will help them feel better and they might just get away bruise free!
As a mom to five kids, I get my fair share of bruises as well so I love knowing that I can help diminish or sometimes even avoid all those bruises.
I also like using arnica when I am sore; whether that is from exercising or from holding a baby in an awkward position for far too long.
Dying to know more about this amazing arnica?
What is arnica?
Arnica is a plant of the daisy family and is a well known herbal remedy for injuries. These pretty yellow flowers work by stimulating the capillaries and increasing the blood flow.
This increase of blood flow is what helps bring healing by reducing swelling, easing pain, and diminishing bruises.
It’s a pretty amazing little plant.
It should be noted that arnica can be toxic when taken internally and therefore it is not recommended to take arnica internally unless under the careful supervision of a homeopath or qualified herbalist. However, in this post we are just focusing on the external ways to use arnica.
Arnica Uses
- Sore Muscles
- Aches and Pains
- Bruises
- Sprains and Strains
DIY Arnica Salve
1/2 cup dried arnica
1 cup oil (olive oil and coconut oil are popular choices)
1 oz beeswax
Directions:
Prepare an arnica infused oil. This involves covering the arnica with oil and allowing it to infuse.
This can take 30 minutes to 6 weeks depending on the method you choose.
Here are the details on how to make a herb infused oil.
Once you have your arnica infused oil, place the 1 cup of arnica oil into a small saucepan and add 1 oz of beeswax.
Heat over low until the beeswax is melted. Stir to fully incorporate.
Transfer your salve to a container of your choosing; mason jars work great!
Allow salve to cool before covering with lid.
To Use:
Apply arnica salve to the affected area and massage into the skin.
Remember arnica should not be used on open skin.
Arnica is great for relieving pain. The best I've found was a combination cream with ibuprofen in it that my mom gave me. I look forward to trying to make some of the salve this winter.
This looks great, I am wanting to give it a try
Arnica cream is AMAZING! We've also used it for minor burns with great results.
Hi, I love your recipes! I am travelling for a year so won’t be able to make my own arnica oil. Can I cheat and buy it? If yes, what ratios would you use for your Menstral Cramp Salve and your Arnica Salve? Thank you, Rebecca
You could definitely buy arnica oil (although I don’t know that I’ve seen oil… I’ve seen creams and gels though) For the menstrual cramp salve you would keep the amount of arnica oil the same (you just don’t need to make it yourself!) If you end up with an arnica cream or gel I would use the same amount at the oil but leave out the beeswax. You won’t end up with a salve; you’ll get either a cream or gel but it will work just the same.
Is this recipe hard enough to use in a roll up tube like a chapstick or deodorant tube? Thanks!
No, it is not. However, if you add more beeswax then you could put it in a tube.
Hi Brittany… What different EO combinations or singles have you used in this?
If it’s just from bumps and bruises I usually leave it as is. I’ve added EO’s to it in my menstrual cramp salve https://pistachioproject.com/2016/05/menstrual-cramp-relief-salve.html
I don’t think I’d use arnica for a chapstick on lips as I believe it’s toxic if taken internally…you lick your lips.
How long does this salve keep for?
Salves are usually good for 6-8 months (so long as no bacteria is introduced, of course)