Published by Jessica Conway
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Our first instinct when working with cayenne peppers is to protect our skin and eyes from the burning heat of this spicy fruit. Cayenne is a versatile herb used for fiery culinary creations and pest control but cayenne is extremely medicinal as well. The heat warms our circulation and brings relief to our joints and aching muscles.
That said, you’ll still need to use some caution while preparing this remedy!
Capsaicin is an alkaloid which gives cayenne it’s spicy flavor and delivers relief from pain. Amazingly, this alkaloid reduces the amount of pain chemicals that are sent by the brain, literally commanding our body not to hurt! This pain relieving action can help with back pain, stiff muscles, arthritis, muscle cramps, nerve damage, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid pain and osteoarthritis. Capsaicin is incredibly anti-inflammatory, soothing the burning around joints that can come from these conditions.
You will want to wash everything, including your hands, throughout this process so as to avoid getting pepper into your eye or sensitive areas. Also be sure to wash your bowls and tools carefully as this can be a little messy and the pepper will be on those too.
With a few ingredients and some time, you can craft a salve that will be wonderful for quick pain relief.
Ingredients:
Cayenne pepper-2 TBS (powdered)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 ounce of beeswax
Essential oils (optional)
Supplies:
2 jars (for filling with the salve)
Pan (for double boiler)
Glass pitcher, bowl, or heat proof jar (for double boiler)
Bowl to strain oil
Cheesecloth
Mesh strainer
Towel (to place under jars to avoid cracking)
- First you’ll need to create an infused oil. Pour your olive oil and cayenne pepper together in a mason jar or glass heat-proof measuring cup. Stir together with a spoon or chopstick. Place the jar into a pan filled with water to create a double boiler.
- Turn the heat on low. Allow the oil to simmer for 3-4 hours. Check on your oil often and give it a stir. You may need to add water to the pan surrounding your jar if it evaporates.
- After a few hours, the oil will be infused. It should be a rich shade of red or orange. Strain your oil through a cheese cloth and into a bowl or clean jar. This will remove the flecks of pepper to create a smooth salve.
- Pour your oil into a container that you will place back on the pan (double boiler).
- Add the beeswax into the infused oil and let it simmer until fully melted (have patience with this step! If the wax does not melt completely it will be rough and grainy on your skin). Stir often to help the beeswax incorporate.
- Once fully melted, add essential oils (if using) and pour into clean jars. Place your towel down before filling the jars to avoid the glass from shattering from the temperature difference. I like to use mason jelly jars for salve but any clean jar (even an old sauce or pickle jar) will work.
- Allow to cool and place the lid on your salve. Be sure to label it!
Notes:
*You do not need essential oils for this recipe but certain oils like lavender, peppermint, clove, or ginger can add to the pain relieving qualities even further and add scent.
*This will be spicy! Be careful where you are applying the salve on yourself (avoid eyes and mucus membranes) and avoid using on open wounds.
*Wash your hands after applying the salve onto your skin (unless it is for hand pain) to avoid spreading it to unwanted areas of your body (or other people’s body!)
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