Working out is probably one of the most rewarding things you can do for your body – especially if you have children. Not only is exercise good for your general health, but it also makes you feel good and in the end look good! But all great things come with some sacrifice, and in this case it is having to deal with sore muscles along the way to your ‘body by Yonce’. Making time to get to the gym, developing a routine and sticking to it are hard enough, but when you add sore muscles into the mix, it can make you want to thrown in the towel.
It is good to know that muscle pain is a natural reaction to a new or intensified workout routine and usually subsides after a few days. Soreness tends to be more present in the beginning of a program, so don’t give up on your routine just because you feel sore. Just know that even the top athletes experience muscle pain, but it is all about how you deal with it! Even though the pain will eventually go away, I have a great recipe to give your muscles the relief they want right now.
This Cayenne Ginger Sore Muscle Oil and Salve rub recipe is probably one of my favorites! This rub can be used as an oil or you can harden it in the refrigerator and use it as a salve. You also keep this as a hard salve by adding in beeswax. Each ingredient serves a special purpose in helping to relieve your sore muscles. The coconut and almond oils prevent irritation while moisturizing the skin. Peppermint oil is used cool, eucalyptus oil helps with pain relief and the camphor oil helps desensitize the nerves while boosting circulation. The ginger and cayenne pepper give the rub heat and awaken the muscles. The beeswax is mainly added for texture and keeps the mixture from turning back into a liquid oil.
What you need:
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil
- ¼ cup Raw Shea Butter
- ⅛ cup Almond Oil
- 1 tsp fresh ground ginger
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 10 drops Camphor Essential Oil
- 5 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
You will also need a strainer, cheesecloth, saucepan, glass measuring cup and 8oz glass jar and lid.
What to do:
- Heat coconut oil and almond oil in saucepan.
- Add ground ginger and cayenne pepper, blend well
- Let this mixture sit in a warm place (do not let coconut oil harden) for 45 mins
- ***If you want to make the hard salve, place beeswax into glass measuring cup and then place into saucepan of warm water. Allow wax to melt and then add in shea butter and stir until melted. ***If you would like to make the oil/salve combo, skip the beeswax and place the shea butter in glass measuring cup and stir until melted.
- Set cheesecloth over mesh strainer and strain the cayenne pepper and ginger mix into the glass measuring cup with the beeswax and/or shea butter. Stir well over warm heat until mixed.
- Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool (but not harden) before adding in essential oils. Stir gently until blended.
- Transfer mixture to a jar with a tight fitting lid and allow rub to cool completely. If you made the hard salve, mixture should become hard and stay hard. If you made the oil/salve mixture will stay liquid unless put into the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Once ready, test the rub on small area of skin. Massage rub into sore area in a circular motion. Your skin will get warm to the touch and may become red. Be sure to note if your skin gets irritated, if so discontinue use. Wash hands after each use and do not use on broken or irritated skin.This recipe is not recommended for use on children. Sorry kids! Need help? I got you! Email me direct at nicky@hypegirls.com