
I recently reached out to Mystic Moments in the UK, because I wanted to feature some of my favorite herbal recipes for medicinals and for general wellbeing, and they’re simply one of the best for the quality of their ingredients, their prices, and because they have perhaps the widest variety of concentrated oils and other ingredients than just about any other company. They were thrilled to team up and were very kind in sending some of their essential oils, like Birch Tar, German Blue Chamomile, Chinese Cedarwood, Bourbon Geranium, Garlic, Ho Leaf, Neroli, Pennyroyal, Wild Ravensara, Indian Sandalwood, Winter Savory, Blue Tansy, and Chamazulene Blue Yarrow.
As I mentioned earlier, essential oils are potent plant concentrates, which have been distilled so that only the plant’s essence, or oil, aroma, and medicinal properties are left. They’re so potent that an undiluted single drop can cause irritation, or if ingested, can cause worse problems, so it’s important to understand proper procedure and dilution rates. So a few drops can go a long way. While I won’t get into all of that here, this information is readily available online, in books, and beyond. Lately, I’ve been digging more into the dried herb, as it is the original source of these properties, but the essential oil is the way to go for quick use and highest potency, averaging at being around 75 times more potent than the dried herb.
What I’ve found to be so impressive about essential oils is their variety of use, because you can use them for just about anything you can imagine. Just about. Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy (diffused into the air and breathed in), topically (neat with a carrier oil or infused in a salve, or lotion, or scrub, etc.), or as a cleaner, in medicine, and more. I use essential oils in my travels, and in my everyday life, and I use them to make my own beard oils, body care products, medicines, cleaners, pet treatment, and for emotional support. Emotionally, aromatherapy is often the best means to balancing emotions, improving mood, and helping to ease my often reeling mind (from anxiety and stress). It’s amazing how well it helps.
But perhaps the biggest positivity I’ve found that essential oils have in my life is what I have been able to create topically. It’s possible to create a topical medicinal approaches for dozens of ailments like tension and migraines, insomnia and stress, sore muscles and joints, inflammation, skin conditions, scars and blemishes, and on and on the list goes, but the point is that essential oils and herbs are mighty powerful with a ridiculous variety of uses. For example, the German Blue Chamomile essential oils has carminative, antispasmodic, mild sedative, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anticatarrhal properties. While the Garlic oil is quite pungent, it is very effective in assisting in colds and flu, fighting respiratory infections, ear infections, and balancing heart health and blood pressure. The Blue Tansy is a rare oil with powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, anti-allergen and anti-fungal properties, yet has a rejuvenating effect on the skin, relieving irritation and redness, while providing some anti-aging capabilities.

With research, you can figure out new applications for each oil, but to get you started, here’s a medicinal recipe for sore muscles and joints, which can be effective for pain relief and inflammation. I’ve provided a simple recipe with a simple ingredients list and the ultimate recipe, which is more complex, yet extremely potent and effective.
If you would like to learn more about Mystic Moments, click here.
Either topical recipe creates 4-5oz of salve, but a little will go a long way, and so if you decide to make the full batch, try making 4-5 1oz tins, so you can share!
For the ultimate recipe: In a double boiler, infuse the herbs in oil. Extract the medicinal properties on medium heat for 1.5-2 hours. Let cool, then strain with cheesecloth. Now continue the following...
For the simple recipe, start here: In a clean pan, combine oil, wax and heat in double boiler until melted. Remove from heat, let cool one minute then stir in essential oils. Pour into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Leave untouched to cool and set, then once cool, rub into sore muscles and joints. Avoid the eyes, as the camphor and menthol can cause irritation. Always do an allergy test by placing a small amount of the salve on the inside of the arm, and if there’s no reaction after an hour or so, feel free to use a bit more liberally as you see fit.
Ultimate Sore Muscle Salve Recipe: This recipe has a lovely natural icy-hot sensation.
| Simple Sore Muscle Salve Recipe:
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice. |
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
(Main photo by digimages1 via Flickr)