How to Make an Herbal Liniment

# Herbal Liniment

How to Make an Herbal Liniment

If you were to visit my home and glance inside my pantry, you’d find the normal food stapes, but also several baskets and bins of assorted homemade herbal remedies in jars,tinctures in dropper bottles and salves in tins that we use for various ailments.

This herbal liniment is a mainstay in my home apothecary and we use it for sore muscles and other aches and pains (on un-broken skin!).

Making the Herbal Liniment for Muscle Aches and Skin Scrapes

Mix the ingredients together.

Add the herbs to an air-tight jar. Pour in the rubbing alcohol. Put the lid on, and shake well to mix.

The myrrh is an astringent, while the goldenseal is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, according to some liniment makers. Cayenne pepper can increase circulation and act as an astringent. Because goldenseal is expensive, you can use a bit less if you need to do so.

Let it steep.

This liniment needs to steep for about a week. Be sure to keep mixing it up by shaking the bottle at least once a day. You can steep it for longer if you want it to be stronger.

Strain the liniment.

Put cheesecloth or muslin over a jar. Pour the liquid through the fabric into the jar. This step will keep the liniment from being gritty. Seal the jar tightly.

Apply as needed.

Rub it onto sore muscles or places that are bruised or swelling. It can also be used on cuts or scrapes. Let it dry on the skin.

Healing Herbs for Herbal Liniments

Comfrey (Symphytum uplandicum x); parts used: leaves and root. Has antioxidant properties and soothes painful joints.

Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens); parts used: Fruit. Topical applications for pain relief, diabetic neuropathy and arthritis. Aids in treating herpes, shingles and rheumatism.

Mullein (Verbaascum thapsus); parts used: leaves, flowers. Infused in oil mullein makes a good wound healer that helps ear infections and hemorrhoids.

Plantain ( Plantago spp.); parts used: seeds, leaves. Plantain helps to relieve pain of insect bites and is a wonderful remedy for cuts, and skin infections.

Calendula (calendula officinalis); parts used: flowers. Calendula has antiseptic and antifungal properties. Used in infusions, creams and ointments. Heals wounds, detoxifies.

Arnica (arnica montana); parts used: Root, flowers. Arnica is used externally for bruising, and trauma to skin that is unbroken.