7 natural solutions for joint and muscle aches

Don't shell out the big bucks for pain relief solutions. These natural remedies for your joints and muscles come straight out of your garden or kitchen.

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) ground cayenne pepper
• 125 ml (1/2 c) commercial moisturizing lotion

  1. In a small bowl, combine cayenne pepper with moisturizing lotion.

  2. Massage the mixture into the painful area, being careful to wash your hands afterwards before touching your face or eyes.

• 10 ml (2 tsp) grated beeswax
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) coconut oil
• 60 ml (4 tbsp) cayenne-infused oil
• 10 to 15 drops wintergreen essential oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) ginger tincture
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) water
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) aloe vera gel
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) borax
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) powdered vitamin C (from drugstore or health food store)

  1. In the top of a double boiler over low heat, mix beeswax and coconut oil and stir until the beeswax has melted. Stir in cayenne-infused oil and wintergreen essential oil.

  2. In a separate pan, heat the ginger tincture to evaporate as much alcohol as possible, then add the water, aloe vera gel, borax and vitamin C and bring to 70°C to 80°C (160°F to 175°F) on a candy thermometer. Place the ginger tincture mixture in a blender and whirl at high speed as you add the beeswax-oil mixture. Pour the resulting cream into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.

  3. Massage cream into sore joints as needed. Keep refrigerated for four to six weeks.

• 5 drops cayenne-based hot sauce
• 3 to 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops massage oil or olive oil

  1. In a clean small jar, combine hot sauce, peppermint essential oil and massage or olive oil and mix thoroughly. Rub the mixture into the affected area by hand or with a cotton ball. This may initially irritate the skin, but the irritation will disappear as the painkilling becomes more effective.

  2. Clean your hands with soap and water after each application and avoid touching your eyes.

• 125 g (1/2 c) baking soda
• 10 to 20 drops essential oil of eucalyptus, peppermint, juniper or pine
• 125 g (1/2 c) Epsom salts
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) juniper berries
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried rosemary leaves
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried chamomile flowers
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) dried eucalyptus leaves
• 10 ml (2 tsp) dried lemon balm leaves
• 10 ml (2 tsp) dried peppermint leaves
• A 2-ply square cheesecloth

  1. In a small dish, place the baking soda and add the essential oils; mix until the baking soda has absorbed the oils. In a bowl, combine the Epsom salts, herbs and baking soda mixture. Place in middle of cheesecloth and tie up the ends to make a bag.

  2. Hold beneath the running water until tub fills, then massage your body with the bag and let it float in the tub. Soak until water cools.

• 20 ml (4 tsp) castor oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) glycerin
• 30 ml (2 tbsp)  aloe vera gel
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) cayenne tincture
• 20 drops wintergreen essential oil

  1. In a clean glass bottle with a tight-fitting stopper, combine castor oil, glycerin, aloe vera gel, cayenne tincture and wintergreen essential oil. Shake well.

  2. Massage over sore joints as needed. Refrigerate for up to six weeks.

• 3 parts water
• 1 part rubbing alcohol
• 1 plastic ziplock freezer bag

  1. Combine water and rubbing alcohol in the freezer bag and freeze.

  2. Wrap the frozen pack in a towel and apply to the hurting joint. The alcohol keeps the pack flexible.

• 5 drops ginger essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint or wintergreen essential oil
• 2 drops camphor essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 30 ml (1 oz) castor oil

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the essential oils and castor oil.

  2. Rub into the painful area and cover with a piece of flannel or an old T-shirt, then put a heating pad over the cloth for 15 to 20 minutes to help the rub soak in. You can double the recipe for larger areas.