Warming Herbal Massage Oil or Lotion Recipe for Cold Joints, Sore Muscles, and Circulation
Whew! It’s COLD outside right now. Luckily, this warming massage oil (or lotion option, if you prefer) will not only soothe your dry winter skin, but help increase circulation, helping to warm your body. It’s one of my favorite winter skincare choices that also doubles to help sore joints and muscles feel better. And, it’s easy to make, besides being completely natural.
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How to Make Warming Massage Oil
For best results, you’ll want to start with an herbal infused combination of oils: cayenne and ginger infused olive oil, calendula infused oil, and jojoba oil. Learn how to make an herbal infused oil here.
Next, you’ll need some warming, soothing essential oils. I love the combination in this recipe because not only does the blend warm you up, it uplifts your mood, and soothes sore muscles and joints. It’s a winner!
Both the oil and lotion versions of this recipe call for a four ounce container. I like to use amber glass bottles with a cap or a dropper for the oil. And for the lotion, a four ounce jelly jar is perfect!
This recipe is for a 2% dilution, which I feel is perfect, especially given the herbal infused oils. If you don’t have the herb-infused oils on hand, you can use plain oil, just like the lotion option below. In this case, you may want to make a 3% dilution (you can see the drops for a 3% dilution in the lotion version).
Click HERE or phone camera on the QR Code to find out more!
Image by Chelsi Shapouri via Unsplash
Now, here’s the recipe for the massage oil version:
Ingredients:
One ounce cayenne (Capsicum annuum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) infused olive oil
One ounce calendula (Calendula officinalis) infused oil
Two ounces jojoba oil (Simondsia chinensis)
15 drops orange (Citrus x sinensis) essential oil
15 drops ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil
10 drops black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil
10 drops balsam copaiba (Copaifera officinale) essential oil
Directions:
First, add the herbal infused oils (leave out the jojoba for a moment) to the bottle, along with your essential oils. Shake well for at least a minute to ensure the essential oils are completely incorporated. Now add your jojoba oil to the shoulder of your four ounce bottle. Shake well again.
To Use:
Massage into areas that need increased circulation due to being cold. It’s also a great choice for sore muscles and joints, too. **Be sure to wash your hands well after applying because the cayenne infused oil can be quite hot on sensitive areas, such as your eyes, mucus membranes, and genitals.
In the video below, you can watch me make both versions, and please subscribe to my channel!
Ginger root is actually a rhizome. You’ve probably used it in your cooking! Did you know that besides it’s pungent, aromatic scent and taste, ginger is very anti-inflammatory? It’s also exceedingly warming, making it the perfect companion for the cayenne in this recipe. Image by Jamie Trinh via Unsplash
How to Make a Non-Greasy Warming Lotion
This option won’t have the heating quality of the oil because it lacks the herbal infused oils. If you wanted to make your own handmade lotion using the infused oils, this article can help you do this.
But for now, we’re just going to go with a high quality unscented lotion base, like this one. Pompeii Street Organics also has excellent unscented lotions that I’ve thoroughly vetted for being as natural as possible. With the included essential oils, this lotion is still going to provide plenty of joy for your body.
I prefer just making my own lotions, but not everyone has the time or patience to do this, and when you make your own, you really do need to make smaller batches unless you’re using a heavy preservative.
OK….now on to the lotion version of this warming and soothing rub!
Ingredients:
Four ounces of unscented lotion.
Use the same essential oils that are in the massage oil. If you want to increase the drops by 50%, you can do this for more warming power. This will be a 3% dilution with about 75 drops. Here are the adjusted drops to make this easier for you:
22 drops orange essential oil
23 drops ginger essential oil
15 drops black pepper essential oil
15 drops copaiba essential oil
Directions:
Add your lotion to the jar. Then add your essential oils. Stir well for about three minutes at least. You’ll see the color of the lotion turn a bit orange, and you’ll be able to also see how well the essential oils are dispersed because of the color of the essential oils. This is a good experience because it will give you an idea of how much time needs to be spent stirring!
To Use:
Use the lotion in much the same way and enjoy deliciously soft skin and a warmed up body!
Get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen. It’s 12 beautiful pages on how to use 10 common and easy to use herbs for natural remedies and wellness.
Cayenne peppers contain a high level of a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin is responsible for warming localized areas and penetrating the skin to actually speed healing and soothe soreness in joints and muscles. It’s pretty amazing. Image by Elle Hughes via Unsplash
Final Thoughts on Warming Massage Oil and the Lotion Option
You know, when you start making your own body care products, medicines from plants, and growing your own foods, cleaning with natural materials, and more….you quickly realize just how dependent most people are on stores. And honestly, most of the things we use are easily made and are much healthier for us if we make them ourselves. And….they cost a LOT less over all.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and recipe, and that you stay warm this winter and for all the winters to come!
Here are some other articles you may enjoy, and please be sure to explore my website with hundreds of articles and also my growing YouTube channel!
Rose-Calendula Lotion Recipe (video)
Dandelion Infused Lotion Recipe (article)
Black Drawing Salve Herbal Healing Ointment (article)
How to Formulate Your Own Tea Blends (video)
How to Make Handmade Soap with the Hot Process Method (article and picture tutorial)
And there are SO many more! Enjoy!
Search TIP for the website: If you don’t find results coming up, I promise, what you’re looking for is likely on my site. Try searching “Healing Harvest Homestead then the keyword” on Google search.
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
P.S. Don’t forget to get your FREE Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet! It’s 12 pages of information on how to. use 10 common herbs…It’s perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen.
Whew! It’s COLD outside right now. Luckily, this warming massage oil (or lotion option, if you prefer) will not only soothe your dry winter skin, but increase circulation, helping to warm your body. It’s one of my favorite winter skincare choices. And, it’s easy to make, besides being completely natural. #massageoil #diymassage #bodymassage #naturaloils #skincare #diyoils #essentialoils #circulation #healingharvesthomestead