As a dancer I’ve been using arnica ointments for effective natural pain relief for so many years. Arnica has always been my first choice simply because other natural pain and sore muscle relief ointments often make you smell like a medicine cabinet, and simply can’t be put everywhere depending upon the area of your injury or soreness. What I love most about arnica is that it works wonders and discreetly at that.
Today I wanted to share a cost effective way to make your own healing arnica oil. If you like you can then make a salve with this healing oil, or just use it as is. Using the sun infused method does take more waiting time, but what you will get is a super potent herbal infused oil that hasn’t been weakened in any way by using direct heat. In this recipe olive oil is suggested for the carrier oil, yet you can always use grapeseed oil if your prefer a high linoleic oil because you are acne prone.
What you will need…
- 1 cup of organic arnica flowers
- 2 cups organic olive oil
- 10 drops rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 tsp non-gmo vitamin E oil
- large glass jar
- glass dropper bottle/storage bottle
- cheese cloth/metal mesh strainer
When doing any herbal oil infusion, I prefer to place my dried herbs/flowers into a clean glass jar then pour the carrier oil on top. When adding vitamin E to your carrier oil, combine the carrier oil with the vitamin E oil first before pouring it over the dried herbs/flowers. Next seal the jar tightly and place in a sunny windowsill for 4-6 weeks. The longer it sits, the more potent the oil. Gently shake the jar daily and notice how the dried herbs/flowers infuse beautifully into the oil over time.
Once your dried herbs/flowers have infused completely, strain the oil from the herbs. I like to strain my infusions twice by using a metal mesh strainer the first time, and a cheese cloth the second time. Make sure to get out every drop of goodness before discarding the herbs. Finally add your essential oils and place your infusion into clean preferably dark glass bottles. I store 1 ounce of my infused oil into a small glass dropper bottle for convenience, and another larger dark glass bottle for the remaining portion.
If you are not sure you want to wait 4-6 weeks for your arnica massage oil to infuse, you can buy it solar infused for you here.
You can also make a wonderful healing salve with this amazing oil infusion with these simple instructions. Enjoy!
(Image/Recipe courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs)
Sandy says
You must be psychic. Your post is timely.
Just saying: because I had Arnica on my mind as a gift to my mom who has arthritis. I’ve been using Arnica since I sprained an ankle and had some longstanding back pain. I discovered it first as a gel for my ankle, then started using the homeopathic remedy for acute back pain.
Your recipe looks interesting. Wondering if you can switch out Lavender oil for the rosemary. Or, is it necessary to use each oil you have listed here to get the same effect? I have some of these oils, but not all of them.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
I’m sure that you could swap out rosemary essential oil for lavender. It is mainly infusing the arnica flowers for a good length of time which is most important. Arnica really is incredible! Thanks for your comment!
Glenda says
Thank you SO much for this post! I discovered arnica oil about a year ago when a fellow-pianist had shoulder surgery, and her post-op therapist recommended it. My friend said nothing else worked as well as arnica oil for her pain, and her large surgery-bruises practically disappeared within two days.
So, I bought some arnica oil, and the first time I used it was for some painful mosquito bites on my legs, which worked beautifully. As a wonderful side-benefit, I had some spider veins in the area that disappeared along with the pain & itching of the bites!
I’m completely sold on arnica oil, and I will be using your recipe this week. Thank you, again!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Glenda,
Thanks for sharing this! It’s amazing that the arnica oil also worked wonders on your mosquito bites and spider veins too!
Nikola says
Hey Dawn!
I want to thank you for putting together such a well-written and informative site. It’s so refreshing to see such sound information in a community/industry littered with snake oil and hucksters. My skin is becoming sexier by the day! Thanks for all you do!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nikola,
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I’m so happy your skin is becoming “sexier by the day”! That’s so awesome!!!!!
Deborah says
Thanks for the info. Lately my knee has been causing me some serious pain. Arthritis doesn’t play. If I may ask a question… I live in the Dallas area. The sun is not really high right now. Do I still put it in the window? Will I have to allow it to steep longer.
Thanks for your response.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Deborah,
My suggestion would be to lightly heat the oil prior to doing the solar infusion and use an oil which maintains in high heat such as grapeseed oil. This way you will be infusing your oil with two techniques combined. I hope this helps some!
Leigh says
Hello
Can I use Camellia Oil as the carrier oil ? Your laymans vocabulary is wonderful!
Thank You 😊
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Leigh,
Thank you! Yes use the carrier oil of your choice for this recipe.
Ladye says
Thanks so much for sharing this! I run trails and my legs ache after runs sometimes. I have been using a gel, but it’s sticky and smells like a nursing home. I’ll definitely try this recipe.
Nanoe says
I am just wondering where to get that arnica oil. Do you use it oftenly?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nanoe,
This oil is a DIY infusion yet you can find arnica gel or ointment at a natural grocery store. And yes arnica is my go to for muscle pain or bruises. I hope this helps.