6 Easy DIY Pain Relief Oil Recipes | Blue Nectar

What is more sore, your heart or your muscles? Just kidding! To survive in the mechanisms of the world today, a sore body is not ideal. Our improper lifestyle and bad food choices are only adding to our physical discomforts. Although, Muscle tensions and joint pains are not life threatening body ailments, they become an uninvited companion of our lives.

Over-the-counter drugs are only providing a temporary relief. You reading this blog probably means that you're looking for nature's embrace. So, either you're searching for a recipe for your grandma or yourself, we have for you 5 magical potions that carry with them the ancient wisdom of pain relief. These natural oils are infused with the promising pain relieving properties to give a healing touch

What is Pain Relief Oil ? 

A pain relief oil is a formulation that is applied topically over the sore areas of the body undergoing any sort of muscle tensions, painful discomfort. It is directly applied over the affected area to allow a smooth glide and massage, promoting blood circulation and providing relief from conditions such as arthritis, muscle strains, sprains, back pain, and general muscle soreness. 

Pain Relief Oil Recipes | DIY 

1. Dashmool Pain Relief Oil 

Dashmoola, a historical ayurvedic formulation is a mash-up of the dried roots of ten different plants. It has remedies for those conditions that are related to nerves, muscles, bones, joints and lungs. The Sanskrit word Dashamoola means ‘ten roots’. Talking about the properties that it has to offer - Dashmoola oil incredibly combats pain disorders caused due to Vata dosh such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. Apart from these, Dashmoola also alleviates constipation, anorexia, abdominal lump, bloating, flatulence, lower back conditions and inflammation in the pelvic and sacral areas. Regular massage with Dashmool Pain relief oil tones muscles and soothes nerves.

Coconut Oil: The base of Dashmoola pain relief oil is coconut oil which is also helpful in moisturizing the body and enhancing blood circulation and thereby causing a sensation of relief in the body. 

Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint naturally leaves a cooling effect on the portion where it is applied because of its richness in menthol, this further calms down muscular pain.

Ingredients Required:

• Dashmool Powder- 2 tsp. 
• Coconut Oil- 4 tsp. 
• Peppermint Essential Oil- 2-3 drops

Method of Preparation:

• Heat the coconut oil
• add Dashmool powder to it
• Add peppermint essential oil to this mix
• Apply it to the body parts in which you're experiencing pain. 
• Gently massage the pain oil in circular motions with fingertips to promote blood flow. 

2. Ajwain Pain Relief Oil

Just like Cumin and Fennel are members of the kitchen family, there is another bitter herb called Carom (Ajwain) similar to them. Now let’s get to the benefits over the bitterness of ajwain. Not just a friend of your stomach while you suffer from indigestion or bloating, but also your bones when you are charged with arthritis. When turned into a paste or added to your warm bathing water it acts as a pain absorbent, the reason why it is known to consist of analgesic properties. Other benefits of Ajwain seeds include:

• Relief from cough and congestion
• Toothache relief
• Controls blood pressure

Mustard Oil: A study done on animals concluded that mustard oil may help decrease pain by desensitizing certain pain receptors in the body. Mustard oil also contains ALA, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help decrease inflammation and pain.

Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory and pain absorbent properties. This makes any pain oil give the skin a calming effect and a cooling sensation besides providing pain relief. 

Ingredients Required:

• Ajwain Seeds/Powder- 2 tsp. 
• Mustard Oil- 4 tsp. 
• Eucalyptus oil- 3-4 drops. 

Method of Preparation:

• Heat mustard oil in a pan on medium heat and our it into a glass bowl
• Add freshly ground ajwain seeds or ajwain powder, followed by eucalyptus oil
• Mix well and apply to the affected areas. 
• Massage this DIY painkiller oil on the affected parts and derive the benefits of this oil

3. Ashwagandha Pain Relief Oil 

Ashwagandha, a name that rings often in the Indian households, is a herb of the east also called “Indian Ginseng”. It has been used in ayurveda to treat inflammation, pain, insomnia and boost nutrition, along with other conditions. Do not undermine ashwagandha for its stress busting qualities, so now, when you have sleepless nights, you know which remedy to hit. A study showed taking 300 milligrams of the herb two times a day improved sleep. An outstanding quality of ashwagandha is to heal the nervous system damages and improve the nerve connections.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil is a body massage oil that induces a warm effect on the body. Improving blood circulation and releasing the body of any tensions. 

Lavender Essential Oil: This essential oil along with its aromatic whispers is known to calm and relax the muscles, providing pain relief to the body. This trio together makes an exemplary DIY pain relief oil.

Ingredients Required:

• Ashwagandha Powder- 2 tsp. 
• Sesame Oil- 4 tsp. 
• Lavender Essential Oil- 3-4 drops

Method of Preparation:

• Heat the base oil, sesame oil
• Add ashwagandha powder
• Add Lavender essential oil to the mix
• Massage this effective painkiller oil into the skin.

4.Turmeric Pain Relief Oil 

Let’s give some attention to the famous healing herb haldi. Turmeric is often supplemented with milk as a natural medicine to cure pain for years. They say it is a pain absorbent and that’s true. It has uncountable benefits. It is a powerful weapon against inflammation, eases joint pain, protects your heart, boosts your mind, improves long-term cognitive function and the list goes on. In the following recipe, turmeric will be added to base oil to get the best oil for pain relief.

Almond Oil: A gentle massage with lukewarm almond oil increases blood circulation and softens the stiffness of the muscles. Almond oil reduces any joint discomfort or inflammation. It is also a supporter of aromatherapy.

Lemongrass Oil: Lemongrass oil is a great obstruction in swelling and relaxes the body's muscles, imparting a pain-relieving effect. 

Ingredients Required: 

• Turmeric- 2 tsp. 
• Almond Oil- 4 tsp
• Lemongrass oil- 2-3 drops

Method of Preparation:

• Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well
• Apply on the affected areas and massage well
• Do not try to heat the mixture with turmeric in it as it burns quite quickly

5. Ginger Pain Relief Oil 

Ginger oil is something probably less heard of. People usually think of ginger as a medicine when they have a bad throat. However ginger also contains pain relief properties and for women reading this blog this oil has the abilities to manage your premenstrual symptoms as well. Moreover, this pain relief oil, enriched with ginger, has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is known to help with pain in the bones and joints. 

Black Seed Oil: Black seed oil is beneficial for people that suffer from knee pain. Massaging provides sensory relief to the pain one has. 

Camphor: Camphor has antispasmodic and muscle relaxant properties. It is known to help with stiffness and cramps and is a favorite of grandmothers, especially during winter, when the cold aggravates the pain. 

Ingredients Required:

• Ginger Essential Oil- 3-4 drops
• Kalonji oil- 4 tsp. 
• Camphor- 1 tablet

Method of Preparation:

• Crush a camphor tablet into a fine powder
• Add Kalonji oil (black seed oil) and ginger essential oil 
• Do not heat this mixture, as camphor tends to catch fire easily

Using any of the above-mentioned DIY pain relief oils would help you significantly with body aches, not to mention the calming and relaxing effect you'd experience.

You may also switch up any base oils in the recipes according to your preference. Any body massage oil temporarily relieves the pain as it increases the blood flow in the nerves and provides a warm, soothing effect in the muscles. This is one of the primary benefits of oil massage on the body.

Regular oil massage has helped many people overcome the problem of sore muscles. Continuous massaging helps maintain a steady flow of blood. The knots of pain you feel cannot develop because of the nerves' regular massages. Therefore, keep massaging with a natural body oil and reap the benefits of oil massage on the body.

6. Camphor Pain Relief Oil 

Camphor oil, an extraction from the wood of camphor trees, known scientifically as Cinnamomum camphora, gives out a strong satisfying aroma. Camphor oil has a variety of uses. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is often an ingredient in vapor rubs, liniments, and balms. Camphor oil can also help reduce chronic muscle and joint pain over longer periods.Many people use it to relieve irritation, itching, and pain. As an ingredient in different products, it can also help ease inflammatory conditions and chest congestion. 

Only use camphor oil products with a concentration of 11% or less. Do not apply camphor products to broken or injured skin, due to the potential for toxicity. Always follow the instructions on packaging carefully. Follow the given steps to learn how to make camphor oil for pain relief

Ingredients Required:

• Camphor - 1 tbs
• Coconut oil - ½ cup

Method of Preparation:

• Turn the piece of camphor into a fine powder
• Add it to hot coconut oil (not boiling) 

The Do's and Don'ts of DIY Pain Relief Oils

Before we jump onto the DIY pain relief oils recipes, here are a few Do's and Don'ts that you must keep in mind:

1. Performing a patch test by applying the oil to your forearm or to the nape of your neck, and only continue to use it if you see no visible reactions post application.

2. Whenever you decide to try a DIY recipe, use sterilized glass bowls or containers. They keep away the bacteria for a longer duration. Also, try and use gloves to avoid bacterial growth in the oil.

3. Making a fresh formulation before each use is recommended as storing an already blended mixture might reduce its effectiveness.

4. Avoid using bare hands to take the oil out of the container as bacteria settles on bare hands and might contaminate the oils. 

How to make Massage Potli at Home

Massage potli or herbal compress is yet another kind of relieving instrument in the aesthetic world of massages. These herbal pouches have their origin in the Indian Ayurvedic medicinal treatments. Their aim is to impart therapeutic relief, rejuvenation and elevate painful discomforts from the targeted body parts.

Let's learn the steps to make these remedial bundles- massage potlis:

Step 1: The first step to make these massage potlis is to make a selection of herbs that suit your concerns and cater to your requirements. This selection of herbs can be an individual one or in combination. Some herbs that can be used might include- Lemongrass, Pandan Leaves, Tamarind Leaves and Kefir Lime.  

Step 2: The next step is to wash the herbs carefully, chop them into several pieces and mix salt and camphor in them (optional).

Step 3: Moving on to the third step- this will require a soft clean cloth, such as muslin, for the herbs to be tied into.

Step 4: Now comes the pivotal step of making a potli (pouch or bundle) of this cloth with the herbs placed in the center. Fold the corners of the cloth to the top and twist the neck until tight with all the herbs squeezed in it. Secure it with a rope leaving one end longer to wrap around the handle. 

Step 5: The next step is to heat the potli that can be done in the warm oil or hot ayurvedic powder. This is a crucial step as this will defuse the healing properties of the tied up herbs in the potli. 

Step 6: Finally your herbal massage potli is ready to be put to use. Use this compress on your body to relieve yourself of any discomforts and pains. There are  various motions that can be performed using this potli during the massage.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Devtvakadi Pain Oil and Herbal Compress Potli for Joint and Muscular Pain

Nalpamaradi Turmeric Brightening Massage Oil | Skin Rejuvenation & Even Tone

Balalakshadi Jasmine Bath & Body Massage Oil | Skin Hydration & Relaxation

Cinnamon Pain Relief Oil for Back & Joint (17 Herbs)

Related Articles:

1. Ayurvedic Remedies for Pain Relief

2. How can essential oils be used as a pain relief oil?