Easy Arnica Salve for Strains, Sprains, and Bruises
Let’s make a salve that pretty much everyone should have in their natural first aid arsenal—Arnica Salve!
Why use arnica salve?
Arnica has many many constituents that make it exceptionally wonderful for healing all types of skin conditions, especially bruises. It has the interesting ability to dilate the blood vessels which brings circulation to the surface of the skin. This stimulates healing for bruises by moving the stagnant blood which causes the swelling to decrease. Not only that, but it is also helpful for strains, sprains, and many sports type injuries. It can also be beneficial in healing bug bites, soothing rheumatoid arthritis, and swelling from fractures.
If you want to learn more in depth about arnica and how to forage for it, check out this article that I wrote.
When not to use arnica
While arnica is quite safe for the vast majority of people, there are a few safety considerations. First and foremost do not apply arnica salve to broken skin or apply excessive heat after application. By applying it to open wounds it is likely you will irritate the area.
Arnica can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to the daisy family.
Arnica is only used topically unless you are under the guidance of a trained herbalist. Ingesting large amounts of arnica has been known to cause dizziness, tremors, and heart irregularities. Arnica can also irritate the mucous membranes which can cause vomiting. Large doses could even be fatal.
Now let’s get to it!
Let’s get to the recipe—it’s a pretty straight forward and has only 2-3 ingredients! How amazing is that?? You don’t even need a preservative because there is no water in the recipe.
AH bummer. Before you get too excited…I do have to tell you that you will need to make an infused oil. This will take several days so go do that and then come back to finish the salve. I know, I know, you were excited and so was I. But I promise the salve will be worth it.
OR, alternatively you could purchase already made arnica infused oil if you really want to. But what’s the fun in that?! ;) I’ll source a few places at the end of this post just in case you wish to go that route, though.
Now hop to it and learn how to make an infused oil here! It’s a valuable skill to have. And then come back here to make the salve.
Arnica Salve
Ingredients
1/2 ounce beeswax (measure this out by weight—learn why here)
2 ounces arnica infused oil by volume
Vitamin E oil (optional)
Directions
Get out your double boiler (or your pot with some water in it—learn more here.).
Measure out your ingredients and place them inside the double boiler. Over medium-ish heat gently melt together the wax and the oil. Stir occasionally until all the wax has melted.
Remove from the heat and, if you wish, add a little vitamin E oil. The amount will vary depending on the strength of your vitamin E oil, but I usually put in about 1/2 teaspoon. The vitamin E oil is an antioxidant and helps to keep the arnica oil from going rancid quite as quickly. It also has healing properties of its own so it’s a win win!
That’s it! Now all you need to do is find a small glass jar or tin to pour the oil into. Allow it to cool completely and it’s ready to use! Just apply to the bruise, strain, sprain, etc. as needed.
Things to Note
DO allow the salve to soak into your skin completely before sitting on a bed or touching any clothing you wish to keep nice. It will stain because of the oil/wax combo! Ask me how I know…
Salves like this make great little gifts for people. :)
How To Store the salve and how long will it last?
Store your arnica salve in a cool dark location. How long it lasts will depend on the quality of arnica oil you started with, how you store your oil, and if you added any vitamin E oil or not. Usually salves last a good 6-12 months. You’ll smell it if it starts to rancid on you. If that happens, add it to the compost pile and start over.
WHERE TO PURCHASE
I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog! By purchasing through one of my affiliate links you will not spend a penny more, but you are allowing me to receive a small commission. This allows me to keep posting great content for you. Thanks for your support! Read more here.
If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:
This company is where I purchase the majority of my seeds. Great selection of heirloom and/or organic seeds:
These are hands down my favorite seed starting trays and pots. These are heavy duty and don’t crumple when you pop your plants out! Definitely worth the investment in my opinion.
Now I’d love to know if you’ve used arnica salve before and what you thought of it!
Please remember that I am not a medical doctor and none of the information I present should be taken as medical advice. I cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe treatments for illnesses. If you have any questions whether or not herbs and essential oils are safe for you and your family, please speak with your medical professional. Essential oils and/or herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Instead, they are intended to support wellness and an overall healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have any other health concerns, please consult your physician. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.