It’s that time of year. Many of us are hauling out boxes of decorations, putting up trees, stringing lights, and in some areas shoveling snow! What do all of those activities result in? At my age, it’s often muscle and joint pain!
As a chronic sufferer of arthritis pain and other issues like sore muscles and bad discs, I’ve worked for years to make a blend of herbs that can help relieve this pain naturally. One of the overriding principles that I use is to make a blend of herbs that can attack conditions from several different pathways. That way if one pathway is not the issue or doesn’t resolve the problem, it may be helped by another.
In this post, I want to show you three natural compounds that can help with joint and muscle pain.
Capsicum
First, let’s look at capsicum. Capsicum is also known as red pepper or chili pepper, contains the compound capsaicin.
Capsicum warms the tissues helping to create better blood flow, and in several studies has shown to be effective in relieving nerve pain. This WebMD article explains some of the benefits of capsicum, and if you want a more scientific (technical) read you can examine this study from Science Direct.
Improved blood flow gets fresh oxygen to the areas with muscle and joint pain and removes waste, thus improving soreness and stiffness. The same study also showed that capsicum was effective in relieving pain as a topical treatment.
Arnica
Another great herb that has been widely used for inflammation is Arnica. In this study found in the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Medical Library (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8537440/ ), Arnica is found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Arnica is beneficial for muscle and joint pain. It is used to relieve pain and bruising. It is an analgesic giving it the added effect of assisting with muscle pain in a different way than the capsicum effects the nerve endings. While capsicum works on nerves and blood flow, arnica works on the source of inflammation.
Juniper Berries
The third herb I’d like to mention is juniper berries. They are rich in many compounds, including those that have antispasmodic as well as anti-inflammatory properties, making them a great companion to the arnica.
The compounds in juniper berries work in complementary way to the arnica to help provide additional relief. This article from Healthline lists numerous other benefits of both the whole berry and its essential oil.
Snap Crackle Pop Salve
I’ve combined these ingredients, along with others, in an ointment for muscle and joint pain we call Snap, Crackle, Pop.
This salve is pleasant smelling and contains ingredients that also condition your skin. It produces a light, warming sensation almost immediately upon application, and after a few minutes you’ll feel it penetrate deep to help relieve swelling and pain. My husband uses it often on his ankle which he broke several years ago. He still suffers from muscle and joint pain and swelling there, but this salve is a relief. A little goes a long way!
I encourage you to research and find out what works best for you. Give our Snap, Crackle, Pop a try today!
Wishing you natural relief,
Lisa
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