All of my life, I have struggled with bad headaches. I think I borderline on migraines, but that was never proven. When I was tested in high school, I was told I drink too much caffeine! And that was before I drank coffee – the only caffeine I had was tea, because I didn’t drink soda at all as a kid! Oh and I had a possible brain tumor .. however after a CAT scan they said that didn’t seem to pan out. Oh well ..all I know is that I get headaches a lot!
I’m the kind of person that took so much ibroprofen for years, it stopped working for me! I have alternated between over the counter pain killers; right now it is Tylenol that is working for me.
I saw this post from Prudent Living on a homemade herbal salve for sore muscles and headaches, and I knew I had to try it! Recently, I have been having a lot of sinus headaches as well. I think it is allergy related – I’ve been sneezing a lot, and have a lot of congestion. I have found that Aleve D reallllly works for me, and it lasts 12 hours, so that is a bonus! But, I am really into trying natural and herbal remedies recently, and I would love to not have to take so much medicine!
This salve has lavender, yarrow, and arnica flowers in it. The yarrow is has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, and also helps relax blood vessels. Arnica is good at removing pain, especially when the skin is unbroken – kinda like a headache!
Homemade Headache-Be-Gone and Sore Muscle Salve
1 cup sweet almond oil
2 tbsp lavender flowers
2 tbsp yarrow leaf and flower
2 tbsp arnica flowers
1/4 cup beeswax
Combine and herbs and oil in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Place in a crockpot on low, and add enough water to the crockpot to almost cover the jar. Cook on low for 2-3 days, adding more water when needed. This will infuse the herbs into the oil, and you won’t have to worry about burning the herbs on the stove! I love this method for infusing herbs into oil!
Strain the oil from the herbs – I use cheesecloth over a fine mesh strainer.
Strain into a stove proof pan. Add the beeswax and heat over low heat to melt the beeswax.
Stir while this melts over low heat.
Pour into a storage container – I used 2 different 4 ounce containers.
Let cool, and it will firm up.
I have been rubbing this onto my temples, and also my neck where my muscles get tight. I won’t say I am 100%, but this really is helping!
This is linked to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways and Home is where the Heart is Link up Wednesdays.
Great alternative to the OTC stuff. Glad to hear it is helping.
Jacky recently posted..Welcome Committee
Thanks! It really is, love it!
I feel better having just read about this salve!
Jane, I’m in awe of your ability to make homemade remedies…I have bad headaches too that stem from neck muscle tightness, but haven’t found much that helps. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Sounds intriguing. I’ve been having a lot of sinus headaches also. Probably the weather. Where do you get arnica flowers?
Jane recently posted..TOMATO TIME!
I got mine from Mountain Rose Herbs…. I guess they are considered an endangered species… not too many of them around!
What a cool idea, I have never heard of anything like this. I bet it smells nice too with the lavender.
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..Favorite Things #31 – Tortilla Pizzas
It does smell good! But seriously, all the salves I have made .. Sammy wants to eat them! There must be something in the herbs he likes
It’s always good to try natural remedies before you pursue those over-the-counter medications, which I loathe, but sometimes, you need them.
At any rate, I hope that this new natural remedy you are trying will relieve you of your headaches. Of all the minor illnesses I do have, I don’t seem to be bothered by headaches too often, for which I am very grateful.
Mara recently posted..A Weekend Treat: Chocolate Chip Scones
That is so good that you don’t have headaches, they really are a pain!! I’m really trying to cut back on the tylenol I am taking, and this is helping!
sometimes I think that you can’t out do yourself then you amaze me! I get headaches all the time too, but they can’t find a reason. Glad your CAT scan came back clean!!
Thanks for this!
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Vegan Gumbo
Wow, Jane, you did an amazing job with that rub! I buy a lot from Mountain Rose herb, they are one of the best!
Marina@Picnic at Marina recently posted..Cheese Muffins
I know, I buy so much from them too!
This is very cool. Have you ever tried peppermint oil? I used to get headaches daily and would rub some peppermint oil on my temples–it worked incredibly well for me. If I was tense, I’d also rub it on my neck and that seemed to help too. Have you been to a chiropractor to see if your spine is in alignment? How about tension in your neck? That’s what causes mine, but I don’t have them very often any more. When I do, a good neck rub really helps. Also, a friend who was getting migraines found out she was clenching her jaw in her sleep. Now she wears a night guard and the migraines are gone.
Veronica recently posted..Thankful Thursdays #81: you
wow cool! I haven’t tried peppermint oil, I’ll have to try that! I have tried pretty much everything else for my headaches. When I was in high school, it turned out to be allergy related. Sometimes I just wake up with a headache for no apparent reason, but a lot of times it is stress/tension related. I’m glad your headaches got better!
I can so relate to the headaches! Since moving from Ca. to Arkansas now add sinus infections it is awful!! Watching for change in the weather has given me a heads up thou. They called it barimeteric headaches or Thunder Heads! I really missed my calling cause now I can predict with almost certainty rain! Also now take a drug call propranolol,have much healthier diet of mostly natural foods. It does help me- hope it does the same for you!
I have heard of barimetric headaches … so crazy you can predict when it will rain! I do think most of my headaches are stress induced, and no matter how much I try to reduce stress, it is still there!!
What is a “stove proof pan”?
A pan that can be used on the stove … not something that is going to shatter when it heats up. Now that I think about it, that is kind of redundant I guess.
Thanks
I’ll try it!
Hey!! This is such a great post! I love natural remedies! I have had migraines for over six years of my life, but I started Chiropractic care and after about a month of care I don’t have migraines anymore! You should look up a Chiropractor in your area! (Once I started seeing the amazing benefits of Chiropractic I started volunteering for a Chiropractor, I can ask my Doctor if he knows any really good Doctors in your area!) Blessings!!