Use this DIY sore muscle rub recipe to make the best salve for soothing sore muscles and reducing joint pain after a hard day’s work.

The more I study the use of herbs and natural remedies in my home health care, the more I find myself making my own balms, salves, and remedies. Join me on this journey of creating a more from scratch life!

It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your healthcare professional before introducing new herbal and natural remedies into your wellness routine.

A woman rubbing healing salve onto her hand.

Table of Contents

Why I Make My Own Muscle Rub

The homesteader in me loves making my own rubs, creams, and salves, like homemade lip balm, wound healing salve, dandelion salve, and peppermint salve, because I can literally grow some of my own medicine.

And I love replacing storebought products with my own homemade recipes, especially when it comes to my health. Read my health journey and tips for fitness for more details.

I can control my ingredients and replace harmful chemicals with pure ingredients when making natural bug repellant or homemade cleaners.

Plus, I notice a difference in my budget when making my own products because I don’t have to pay for someone else to make it or the packaging it comes in.

I know I am hard-pressed to make everything myself; sometimes, I just don’t have the right equipment or climate to produce certain things on our land. But, when I can make things myself, it brings me one step closer to self-sufficient homesteading.

If you’re like me, you like getting back to basics in your medicine cabinet, kitchen, garden and barnyard with plenty of DIY options and recipes, like this DIY muscle rub.

Why Muscles Get Sore

After a long day working on the homestead, kneeling over garden beds, carrying heavy feed sacks, standing at the kitchen counter chopping vegetables, or any other numerous homestead chores, my skin can feel dry, and my muscles can get sore.

A long day working on the computer might leave your neck and shoulders stiff. Or, after going on a long hike or bike ride, you may experience joint pain in your knees or ankles.

On evenings after I have been hard on my body, I love sipping organic ginger tea and rubbing my aches and pains with my homemade muscle rub for ultimate relaxation.

Rubbing this muscle cream on your sore neck or knees will give you relief without the over-the-counter medications filled with methyl salicylate. (Source) Some arthritis sufferers even find some immediate relief from this natural cream. (Source) So, whatever the reason your muscles are sore or tired, give this rub a try.

Ingredients on a wooden counter for homemade healing salve.

Supplies & Ingredients Needed

Double Boiler – You can easily sanitize stainless steel double boilers by boiling them before use to prevent bacteria in your rubs or salves.
Food Scale – Use a food scale for accurate measuring. I use it every time I make any salve or lotion.
Mixing Spoon – Some suggest using a stainless steel spoon so you can thoroughly sanitize it. Others use disposable wooden skewers for mixing.
Beeswax (Organic) – Not only does this offer a hardness to the rub, but beeswax helps retain moisture in the skin. (Source) While I prefer purchasing beeswax from our local beekeeper, these beeswax pastilles are convenient for measuring and melting when making salves and rubs.
Coconut Oil (Organic) – Coconut oil is a stand-by in our kitchen. We use it for everything from recipes and salves to conditioning our wood products.
Shea Butter – I purchase my shea butter from Amazon. You can also interchange this with cocoa butter, but cocoa butter generally is a harder butter, and you might need to increase the coconut oil.
Menthol Crystals – Menthol crystals are a by-product of peppermint essential oil. Adjust the amount to your liking, starting with a smaller amount and increasing as desired.
Peppermint Essential Oil – Use a reputable company like Plant Therapy and familiarize yourself with the safety precautions of essential oils. Peppermint is not recommended for topical use on children. Consult with a health care provider of your choice.
Tea Tree Essential Oil – Be careful with tea tree oil as it is not recommended for topical use on children.
Small Containers – You can use small metal tins, Mason jars, or plastic lip balm tubes. Choose the type of container that suits your needs.

A Pyrex measuring cup in a double boiler on the stove.

How to Make a Warming Muscle Rub

This recipe was shared by my friend, Renee, of HardLotion.com.

Sanitize your double boiler and mixing spoon. Pro-Tip: If you don’t own a double boiler, create one by setting a heatproof glass or metal mixing bowl in a medium-sized pot. Put a few inches of water in the pot and set the heat-safe mixing bowl on top of it, so it fits down into the pot. However, make sure the bottom of the mixing bowl does not touch the water. You want the mixing bowl to heat up from the steam of the water boiling underneath.
Measure out the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter with the food scale. It is best to use the top of your double boiler or your mixing bowl to measure these ingredients and then set them on the bottom of the double boiler or the pot to heat up.
Set the double boiler over medium-low heat. Melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter together until fully melted.
Remove them from the heat and stir in the menthol crystals and essential oils. Make sure to combine them thoroughly throughout the entire mixture.
Pour into tubes, tins, or small jars.
Allow to cool and rub on wherever you need some soothing aid.

Did you make this remedy? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo of your homemade muscle rub and tag me on social media @melissaknorris so I can see!

A woman labeling a tin of homemade healing salve.

Practical Home Herbalism

Now that you know how easy it is to make your own muscle rub, are you ready to ditch more over-the-counter medications in favor of using herbal remedies at home? Are you trying to figure out what to grab when you get minor illnesses, rashes, acne, pulled muscles, colds, and flu?

Join my FREE mini-herb course and learn about various medicinal herbs that you can use to help with all your daily ailments.

Or, if you’re ready to jump in and learn more now, get my Practical Home Herbalism course. I’ll teach you how to listen to your body, learn what remedies work best for you, and even how to make them so you can build up your own herbal medicine cabinet that you can feel confident using for yourself and your family.

A woman dipping her finger into homemade healing salve.

DIY Sore Muscle Rub Salve

Use this recipe to make a muscle rub cream for sore muscles or joint pain. A few simple ingredients and your sore muscles will thank you.

Prep Time5

Active Time10

Total Time15

Keyword: DIY Salve, Muscle Rub

Yield: 2 oz. tins

Author: Melissa Norris

Materials

3 ounces beeswax
3 ounces coconut oil
3 ounces shea butter
4-6 Tablespoons menthol crystals*
20 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil
*adjust to your liking start with the lower amount and increase as desired

Instructions

In a double boiler melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Remove from double boiler and stir in remaining ingredients.
Make sure essential oils and menthol are combined well and pour into desired containers.
Lip balm tubes work well for an on the go method, but tins and jars will work as well.