(NaturalNews) Making natural products is simple and inexpensive. In every first aid kit be sure to include a balm for bumps, bruises, and sprains. The best known herb for this is Arnica. Arnica has been used as medicine for hundreds of years. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which contributes to the healing of bruises while soothing and alleviating pain from bumps and sprains. Cayenne pepper can be added to this recipe as it is a circulatory stimulant to help with pain relief and for healing infections. Here is a simple recipe to make a Arnica Balm for bumps, bruises and sprains.

Arnica balm recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of coconut oil
• 3/4 cup of Arnica flowers
• 1/2 cup beeswax
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil ( optional)
• 10 drops of essential oil (such as peppermint, lavender, or tea tree) (optional)

* For added pain relief add 3-6 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.

Directions:

1. Crush up the Arnica flowers or put in a food processor; transfer to a glass jar. Pour coconut oil and vitamin E oil over the Arnica flowers until the flowers are submerged. Place glass jar in a crock pot with a few inches of water, set to low for 12-24 hours. Add the cayenne pepper at this time, if applicable.
2. Cover and let infuse, stirring every so often. Make sure that the Arnica stays submerged and that a few inches of water remains in the crock pot.
3. When you feel that the mixture has soaked in together, turn off the crock pot and let the mixture cool for an hour or so. You do not want the it to completely cool as it will solidify.
4. Place your cheesecloth (or t-shirt, pillowcase, etc.) over a pot and pour mixture letting it all drain into the pot.
5. Once you have strained the herbs, place the pot onto the stove and turn on low. Add the beeswax. Whisk until completely dissolved.
6. Once the beeswax has melted, take off the stove and let cool for an hour and stir in the essential oils. Pour into whatever container you like.

• Use this balm on bruises, sprains, arthritis, aching muscles, on temples for headaches, etc.
• When using the cayenne pepper, use caution when applying to avoid eye contact. You could use gloves or apply with a spoon, q-tip, spatula, etc.
• Only for topical use.

Sources:

http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/arnica.shtml

http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/cayenne.shtml

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