Last updated on March 12, 2026 by Jessica Healey
Originally published on August 19, 2016

I’m so happy to be able to work part time from home while raising my little ones, but it seems to also come with a lot of muscle aches. On the days I’m with my kids I feel like I never sit down and my back pays the price. On the days I’m working I feel like I never stand up and my shoulders pay the price. So, I decided I needed something to help my sore, aching muscles…homemade muscle rub salve!

As you probably know, I prefer to find natural remedies before resorting to conventional medications. Natural remedies, when used correctly, work with your body to support it’s functions so that you can heal. Conventional medicine tends to focus on fixing a symptom instead of taking a holistic approach to health. That’s why I like to make my own remedies like my healing salve because it heals without causing harm. The same goes for this homemade muscle rub salve recipe. It uses warming herbs to ease muscle tension and relieve the pain associated with it. It can even help reduce joint pain and inflammation. All done safely and effectively.

How Does This Homemade Muscle Rub Salve Work?

The following herbs and essential oils in this salve work together in perfect harmony to support muscle health and soothe your sore, tired, achy muscles.

Ginger

Ginger is an excellent herb for sore muscles and joint pain. I first thought of ginger because of its anti-inflammatory properties when eaten, so I thought it might be helpful topically, too. Ginger contains oils called gingerols which give ginger it’s excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger soothes muscles and is antispasmodic, which means it can ease muscle spasms.1

You can purchase organic dried ginger root here, but fresh (if you have it) is best here.

Comfrey

Comfrey is well known for it’s healing properties. It’s been used to heal pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, bruises, sprains, strains, and even osteoarthritis. I love the healing properties of comfrey and it’s safe for everyone.2

You can purchase organic comfrey leaf here.

Essential Oils

Lavender, cypress, and rosemary essential oils are great additions due to their muscle recovery properties. Lavender is an all around great oil because it’s an anti inflammatory and an analgesic. I use it in almost all of my homemade products from deodorant (baking soda free recipe here) to hand sanitizer (learn about commercial hand sanitizer) because it’s incredibly safe for everyone. You’ll find a TON of DIY and informative recipes here on Scratch Mommy that feature lavender essential oil (click here to see TONS of lavender posts).

Cypress oil is an antispasmodic oil that helps relieve muscle cramping, tension, and pain. Rosemary oil is an excellent analgesic and supports the healing of sore muscles and arthritic joints. Leave the rosemary oil out if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to use this muscle salve on children.

Plant Therapy is my most trusted company for essential oils!

When it comes to natural remedies I like them to be as simple as possible, which is why I love this easy and effective homemade muscle rub salve. It’s super easy to make and can last for months!

Homemade Muscle Rub Recipe

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Ingredients

⅔ cup coconut oil
½ cup olive oil
½ cup fresh ginger root - grated
¼ cup dried comfrey
½ cup cocoa or shea butter
½ cup beeswax
40 drops cypress essential oil
40 drops rosemary essential oil
40 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

Place oil, comfrey, and ginger into the top of a double boiler. Warm the oil on low for at least an hour. Be sure that the oil is just warming and not a full simmer. Strain the oil using cheesecloth, a metal sieve, or mesh produce bag.
Add cocoa butter and beeswax to the oil and stir until all is melted. You may need to return to heat to fully melt beeswax and cocoa butter. Add essential oils when mixture has cooled enough to touch.

Nutritional information provided is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!