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Pain relief salves are topical painkillers. When applied to the sore muscle or joint, the anti-inflammatory components in the salve act directly on the swollen tissues, thereby bringing fast relief. You can easily make your own pain relief salve with herbs and spices. They are usually effective in reducing mild to moderate pain. Sore muscles and joints and even nerve pains can be alleviated with the help of homemade pain relief salves. Salves are solely for external use. They should not be applied to broken skin.

Here Are Some Simple Pain Relief Salve Recipes:

1. Cayenne Salve

Cayenne pepper is a powerful natural painkiller. When applied to the sore muscles or joints it numbs the area. To prepare the salve you will need one tablespoon of ground cayenne pepper or cayenne flakes, ½ cup olive or peanut oil, 1/8 cup grated beeswax and, if desired, few drops of wintergreen essential oil. Mix the cayenne powder to warm oil. Pour the cayenne oil in a bowl and place it on a large pan with simmering water. Add the beeswax and mix it well with the oil. Remove the bowl from the heat and add the essential oil. Massage the sore area with a small amount of the cayenne salve (1).

2. Black Pepper Salve

The warming effect of black pepper salve helps in stimulating circulation, which helps in relaxing the muscles and strengthening the joints. To prepare the salve you will need ½-cup of olive or vegetable oil, one tablespoon crushed black pepper, one tablespoon grated beeswax, two drops cinnamon essential oil and 3 to 4 drops vitamins E oil. Simmer the black pepper in the oil for a few minutes. Let the black pepper sit in the oil for few hours. In a large pan, simmer water on low heat. Place a medium sized bowl on the pan. Pour the black pepper infused oil in the pan. Add the beeswax. After the beeswax has melted and mixed with the oil, remove the mixture from the heat. Add cinnamon essential oil and vitamin E oil and mix well (2).

3. Turmeric Salve

The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric helps in muscle and joint pains. It even helps in alleviating arthritis, fibromyalgia and nerve pain. In a pan put two cups of castor oil. Add a tablespoon of turmeric powder and two tablespoons of cayenne pepper or capsaicin powder. Simmer the oil over low heat for one hour. Strain the oil through cheesecloth. Mix 1 ½-ounce grated beeswax with the hot oil and stir. Cool the salve and store in a clean container. Use as desired (3).

4. Oregano Salve

Oregano salve can reduce muscle pain as well as a headache. To make the salve, you will need 2 oz fresh oregano and 8 oz white petroleum jelly. Put the petroleum jelly and oregano in a small bowl and place it over a larger pan containing simmering water. Simmer for about an hour. Strain through a cloth. Rub the aching muscles with the salve (4).

5. Ginger Salve

Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory property. The warming effect of ginger salve helps in reducing aches and pains. Pour 2/3-cup cooking oil, 15 grams grated beeswax and 50 grams ginger in a pan. Place it over a larger pan containing simmering water. Bring the water to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for an hour. Keep stirring the mixture so that the ginger does not settle at the bottom. Remove the pain from the heat. Pour the salve in a clean jar. Use as desired (5).