Easy 3-Ingredient Arnica Salve Recipe

Learn all the arnica salve benefits, and then you’ll get to learn how to make both a DIY arnica oil and an easy homemade arnica salve recipe too!

Have you heard about arnica before? Arnica is a popular thing in natural living for pain management.

Arnica is a flower that has been used for centuries to provide natural pain relief and reduce inflammation.

While some believe it is safe to use arnica internally, it is best to use arnica topically, in a DIY arnica salve.

Arnica salve is easy to make at home and can be applied topically to provide soothing relief from aches, pains, and bruises.

It is my favorite natural muscle rub recipe to use! I first made it when I learned about the benefits of arnica. And, it completely helps with my pain, so I keep one with me with all the time.

In this guide, learn how to make arnica oil from dried flowers, along with an easy arnica pain salve recipe!

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What is Arnica?

Arnica montana is a flowering mountain herb that grows in many areas of Europe and North America.

The flowers and roots of the arnica plant contain compounds like sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids that have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects when applied to the skin.

Arnica has been used since the 1500s to treat muscle aches, sprains, swelling, and bruising.

Today, arnica is available in many forms including gels, ointments, creams, and salves. The DIY arnica salve is especially popular and easy to make at home.

The thick homemade salve allows the active compounds of arnica to remain in contact with the affected area for a prolonged period to provide maximum relief.

Benefits of Arnica Salve

There are so many salve and arnica infused oil benefits! Here are some of the best arnica salve benefits:

• Reduces pain and inflammation associated with muscle aches, joint pain, sprains, strains, and bruising. My favorite use for this homemade pain salve.
• Speeds healing of bruises by dispersing pooled blood and reducing swelling. Use this bruise salve recipe, it is amazing!
• Relieves osteoarthritis pain when applied topically over joints.
• Soothes muscle soreness and pain when used immediately after exercise. This DIY sore muscle rub truly does make a huge difference!
• Treats insect bites to reduce itching, stinging, and swelling.
• Heals superficial wounds, burns, and irritation of the skin. Just be sure to use on a closed wound, not open.
• Improves appearance of varicose veins when applied topically. Another great use for this DIY salve recipe!

The key to arnica’s pain-relieving abilities is its anti-inflammatory action. The sesquiterpene lactones help decrease inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines in the body that cause swelling, pain, and redness.

When applied as a homemade arnica salve, these active ingredients are absorbed through the skin to target sore, achy muscles and joints. The end result is a reduction in pain, swelling and tenderness.

It is my favorite homemade muscle rub recipe for joint pain!

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How To Make Arnica Oil and Salve

Making arnica salve and oil at home only requires a few simple ingredients and is super easy! Here is how to make this arnica pain salve recipe:

Ingredients

• ½ cup arnica  
• 1 cup avocado oil 
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets 
• 3  2 oz tins

How to Make Arnica Oil Quickly

Add arnica flowers into a glass jar. 

Add the avocado oil into the glass jar, making sure the flowers are completely covered. 

Put lid on jar and put over low heat for around 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the mixture doesn’t boil or simmer, just have it on a very low heat.

Alternatively, you can do a slower method and just keep stored in a dark area for 6 weeks. Strain it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl.

How to Make Arnica Salve Recipe

Discard the arnica flowers and return the infused oil to the double boiler or heat-proof bowl. Add the beeswax pellets to the infused oil and stir until the beeswax has melted completely. 

Remove the mixture from heat and pour the mixture into the tins. Let it cool completely before putting the lids on and using. 

To use the arnica salve, simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage it gently into the skin.

The best time to apply arnica salve is immediately after an injury or workout when muscles and joints are prone to swelling and soreness.

Gently massage the salve into affected areas like bruises, strained muscles, arthritis joints, or areas of muscle tension. The salve can be reapplied 2-3 times per day as needed for pain relief.

Notes

• This recipe yields approximately 3 2oz tins. 
• The salve can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a year. 
• I used avocado oil but any carrier oil will work. 
• You can add essential oils to make it become a stronger pain salve. Or, you can check out this DIY pain cream with essential oils.
• You can also add in vitamin e oil to help preserve the salve as well. 

Tips for Using Arnica Salve

Now that you have this arnica oil salve recipe, here are a few of my favorite arnica salve uses:

• Perform a skin patch test before wide-scale use to check for allergic reaction. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
• Avoid applying salve on open wounds or broken skin.
• Do not use arnica salve for more than 3-4 weeks at a time.
• If pain, swelling or redness persists or gets worse, consult a doctor promptly.
• Use high-quality, organic arnica oil for best results and purity.
• Store in a cool, dark place and use within 1 year of preparation for ideal potency.

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Arnica Salve

Yield: 3 2 oz tins

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Materials

• ½ cup arnica
• 1 cup avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 3 2 oz tins

Instructions

1. Add arnica flowers into a glass jar.
2. Add the avocado oil into the glass jar, making sure the flowers are completely covered.
3. Put lid on jar and put over low heat for around 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the mixture doesn't boil or simmer, just have it on a very low heat.
4. Alternatively, you can do a slower method and just keep stored in a dark area for 6 weeks. Strain it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl.
5. Discard the arnica flowers and return the infused oil to the double boiler or heat-proof bowl. Add the beeswax pellets to the infused oil and stir until the beeswax has melted completely.
6. Remove the mixture from heat and pour the mixture into the tins. Let it cool completely before putting the lids on and using.
7. To use the arnica salve, simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage it gently into the skin.

Notes

• This recipe yields approximately 3 2oz tins.
• The salve can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
• I used avocado oil but any carrier oil will work.
• You can add essential oils to make it become a stronger pain salve.
• You can also add in vitamin e oil to help preserve the salve as well.

Arnica Cream Recipe FAQs

DIY Arnica Salve Wrap-Up

With its natural anti-inflammatory abilities and skin healing properties, arnica salve is an easy and effective home remedy for bruises, swelling, muscle soreness, and pain.

Follow the simple arnica ointment recipe to make a batch at home or look for high-quality premade options.

With regular application when needed, arnica salve can provide safe, natural pain relief and support recovery from many common injuries and conditions.

Make this pain relief salve recipe next time you have a bruise, muscle pain, or joint pain. You won’t be disappointed!

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