Diy Pain Relief Salve With Nettle

DIY pain relief

Stinging nettle has a long history of uses in folks medicine. While there are a variety of uses there is one method that stands out. The method is called urtification (comes from Latin name of nettle - Urtica dioica) which means flogging of the body with the fresh nettle plant. The stinging trichomes on the leaves and stems contain a mixture of acetylcholine, formic acid, histamine and serotonin. When these enter the skin they break off and release this mixture into the blood causing a rash, itchiness and burning. It also stimulates the blood flow and might work for rheumatoid arthritis.

How does pain relief salve work?

This autoimmune disease causes your immune cells to attack the cells in joints and cause joint pain, swelling and joint stiffness. Nettle sting acts as an alternate “foreign invader” that prompts the immune cells to start fighting against and stop acting against its own cells. In this study, scientists tested 27 patients with osteoarthritis pain at the base of the thumb or index finger. Patients applied stinging nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) daily for one week to the painful area and recorded a significant reduction of pain and disability.

Similarly it might work for hay fever or allergic rhinitis as described in this study.

Does this seems too dramatic for you? Well, we have another alternative, topical creams and salves made of nettle might have similar effects and ease joint pain. They contain anti-inflammatory agents that might ease symptoms of eczema, dermatitis psoriasis and reduce itchiness and rashes caused by allergies.

How to make homemade pain relief salve

Every time we want to make a herbal salve we need to start with infusion oil. No, in fact first we need to find the nettle in nature and identify it well. That is my way of doing things and a way to learn about the herbs around you. However, if you have no access to fresh nettle leaves and stems just order them dry in organic quality.

First step

I like to make infusion oils from dried herbs. Fresh herbs tend to develop mold more often. By steeping the dried nettle leaves in oil, we can extract its beneficial properties for our use in salves, soaps or lotion s.

Here is described the method of making nettle infused oil. Both methods, the traditional as well as fast method, are easy to follow.

When the oil is ready we will combine it with other ingredients such as beeswax and essential oils to make a salve. As you might notice when making the nettle oil with the faster heating method we didn’t want to exceed the temperature to 50 C ( 122F) so as to not lose its medicinal properties.

Second step

To start, melt the beeswax in the double boiler, once it is completely melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool down to 50 C (122 F).

Third step

mix it with nettle infused oil, mix it slowly, making sure the two ingredients make a homogenous mixture.

Fourth step

Lastly, add the essential oil of your choice. To enhance its anti-inflammatory effect you might want to use thyme, clove or eucalyptus essential oils.

If you intend to use this salve as anti-itching cream use Peppermint, Chamomile, Tea tree or Lavender.

Fifth step

Pour the mixture into a 60 ml (2 ounces) glass container and store it in a cold and dry place. It should last up to 1 year.

How to use this pain relief salve?This anti-inflammatory salve alleviates inflammations, swellings, pain, soreness. If you have any type of joint pain apply this salve on the affected area at night before going to sleep. You can combine it with drinking nettle tea.

How to stop itching?This anti-itch salve helps with skin irritations like psoriasis, eczema and insect bites. If you intend to use this nettle salve for itchiness you can combine its effect with nettle bath.

How to make nettle bath?Soak 4 handfuls of nettle in 4 l of water for 10 hours, let it boil for a few minutes and pour into a bath. Take a 15 minutes bath, don’t wash it off, just wrap yourself in a bathrobe and go to bed for 30 minutes. You can repeat this bath every day until the symptoms have relieved.

Can I use this anti-itch salve for dogs? This natural anti-itch salve is suitable for dogs or cats. The best way to use it is to bathe your pet first with a mild shampoo. When completely dry, apply this salve on the affected area 3 times a day. Do not use near eyes.

MATERIALS

• 3 tbsp nettle infused oil
• 1 tbsp of coconut oil
• 1 tbsp of beeswax
• essential oil of your choice (the the note below)

NETTLE INFUSED OIL

• 2 tbsp dried nettle leaves
• 100 ml extra virgin olive oil

TOOLS

• Round glass jar

INSTRUCTIONS

MAKING NETTLE INFUSED OIL

1. Grind dried nettle leaves between your fingers to make them into small pieces
2. Fill the sterilized glass jar with dried nettle
3. Pour over the extra virgin olive oil so all dried leaves are covered completely
4. place it in the double boiler and bring it to simmer
5. Simmer for 5 hours but make sure you don't exceed the temperature of 50 C (122 F)
6. Keep the heat slow for nettle to relieve all her medicinal properties.
7. strain the herbal macerate with cheesecloth
8. store the oil in the sterilized jar in the dark place away from direct sunlight.
9. Don’t forget to label it!

MAKING NETTLE SALVE

1. melt the beeswax in the double boiler, once it is completely melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool down to 50 C (122 F). 
2. mix it with nettle infused oil, mix it slowly, making sure the two ingredients make a homogenous mixture. 
3. Lastly, add the essential oil of your choice (see the note below)
4. Pour the mixture into a 60 ml (2 ounces) glass container and store it in the cold and dry place. It should last up to 1 year.