For many years I used arnica gel for muscle soreness, and it worked fine but I wasn’t completely satisfied.  The one I used was pretty clean, I think, but I thought essential oils might be a better (and cleaner) solution. Plus, the gel is so cold going on and that first moment of application made me cringe. I’ve been working on this EO recipe for a while, and now have a blend I’m pleased with in both performance and scent.  It’s a multi-tasker too, which I certainly value.

Vetiver, 20 drops – immediate relief, chronic conditions

Sandalwood, 20 drops – immediate relief

Lavender, 10 drops – strains/spasms

Litsea, 5 drops – immediate relief

Grapefruit, 15 drops – continued recovery

Fennel, 10 drops – chronic conditions

Peppermint, 10 drops – immediate relief, chronic conditions

Clary Sage, 5 drops – strains/spasms

Helichrysum, 5 drops – continued recovery

Drop the EOs in a 2oz amber glass dropper bottle, then fill it up with grapeseed oil.

Tip the bottle back and forth or roll it to blend.  Easy, and it really works!

It rubs into the skin easily, but you could dampen the skin with water or spray with a hydrosol for even easier application.

I have chronic shoulder/neck issues that are definitely improved with use of this mix. I’ve also used it successfully on low backaches, and various strains and soreness from activity.

I’m very happy with this combination of oils and will keep making it, possibly working with proportion a bit for each new batch.  You could use fewer oils to simplify the recipe, just pay attention to the purpose of each oil you are adding. Sandalwood and Helichrysum are on the more expensive side, so if that’s an issue you could leave those out and add more of the other oils that serve a similar purpose. The overall smell of my blend is pretty earthy, as the vetiver and sandalwood would suggest. But the lighter notes are definitely there, with peppermint standing out a bit. I like the smell (my son tells me I smell good after using it), and if you mix it and decide it’s too strong, you can always dilute it more.  Watch out for the litsea if you decide to add extra— it can get very Lemon Pledge-y if you add too much (but it is big on performance so if you enjoy that scent go for it). The carrier oil could be anything you like. I chose grapeseed because it has a pretty neutral scent and my skin likes it. Arnica oil might be a good choice too, but the one I have has an olive oil base, and my skin doesn’t seem to care for olive oil.

This particular blend is also good for detox, as well as for supporting sleep, and I’ve been using it on my hands and feet before bed. I’m sleeping soundly and I feel like it’s supporting my cleanse efforts. I am thinking to add this blend to some bath salts, but I haven’t tried that yet. Most of my EOs came from Mountain Rose Herbs, as did my bottle. The Hope Gillerman Essential Oils Deck was very helpful in creating the recipe, and I highly recommend the deck for anyone beginning to work with EOs.

Will you try this recipe?  Do you have a go-to for muscle aches?

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