Ask anyone on the planet and they’ll tell you that they have sore muscles from time to time. Muscle soreness can stem from a hard workout, injury, or general tightness that stems from lack of flexibility. Depending on the severity of the muscle pain, you may be able to relieve it with stretches, ice packs, or the DIY cream in this article. 

When it comes to muscle soreness, the most common areas of pain are the shoulders, neck, and lower back. In fact, roughly 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point during their lifetimes. If the back pain becomes severe from accompanying inflammation, it may interfere with your daily activities, including work, hobbies, or general movements. Although a DIY cream may not be able to quickly relieve pain that you have not addressed for years, it may be able to remedy acute muscle pain. 

Essential oils are powerful extracts from the leaves, seeds, flowers, fruits, and barks of plants. They are popular in aromatherapy, but you can apply them topically after proper dilution. The skin absorbs their health properties to alleviate numerous ailments, from skin conditions to muscle pain. The following essential oils are in the DIY sore muscle cream. 

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is commonly used to promote decongestion and relaxation. It exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and it also has analgesic effects in muscles and joints. According to a 2015 clinical review, eucalyptus essential oil may treat ailments like arthritis, wounds, and the flu. A separate study examined a mixture of eucalyptus, marjoram, lavender, rosemary, and peppermint essential oils. The results indicated that this combination of essential oils wee able to reduce arthritic muscle and joint pain. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Similar to eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint essential oil has potent analgesic properties. The main components of peppermint oil are menthol and menthone. In the past, menthol has been used to treat pain from both tension and migraine headaches. A small study found that topically applying a 10% menthol solution to the temples was a great solution to relieve migraine pain. Health experts also believe that the awakening scent of peppermint essential oil may help to reduce muscle spasms. After dilution and topical application, people with arthritis may find that peppermint essential oil relieves joint pain.

In addition to these essential oils, the DIY sore muscle cream also contains coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. These ingredients help to lock moisture in the skin, as they have emollient properties. It’s also worth noting that massaging the sore muscles alone may help to relieve some of the pain, regardless of the essential oils. Keep this in mind when using the DIY cream below. 

DIY Cream For Sore Muscles

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup beeswax pastilles 
• 1/2 cup organic shea butter
• 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
• 15 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil to a microwave-safe glass bowl and microwave for about two minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. 
• You may need to microwave longer until you have liquified the mixture. 
• Stir in the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils and then allow the mixture to harden a little. 
• Once it has firmed up a bit, use an electric hand mixer to whip the mixture until it looks smooth and creamy.
• Spoon it into a mason jar, cover, and store in cool, dry place. Massage a generous amount into sore muscles when you experience muscle pain. 
• This can be beneficial after a long day at work or a hard workout. 

SHARE:

The post DIY Cream For Sore Muscles appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Massage guns have vibrated their way onto the fitness scene, and they’re more popular than ever. Celebrities, professional athletes, influencers, and people of all athletic levels praise these massage tools. Whether you lift heavy or go for long runs, massage guns aim to improve overall performance and reduce muscle soreness, which aids recovery. 

What Are Massage Guns? 

They are vibrating, handheld massage toys that can pulverize your muscles in the best way possible. Technically speaking, they use percussive massage therapy as opposed to vibration therapy. When you turn one on, it percusses at a high frequency and low amplitude of movement. These actions help to knead muscles and reduce overall tension, which can impact flexibility. Several studies found that by reducing muscle tension, people experienced better blood flow and a reduction in overall stiffness. 

Think of a massage gun as a mini jackhammer for your muscles. Percussive massage works to hammer out soft tissue to increase blood flow to the area of focus. Additionally, the gentle percussion can decrease the severity of adhesions (essentially scar-like tissue in the muscles) and help elongate muscle fibers. These massage guns are most effective in common areas where people experience regular pain, for example, the shoulders, neck, back, thighs, and glutes. 

How Do They Differ From Foam Rollers?

Foam rolling is a form of self-myofacial release, which helps to relieve soreness, tightness, and inflammation. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Facia become tight or inflamed and the ability to move easily becomes hindered as a result. By engaging in regular foam rolling, you can help increase overall joint range of motion. Just like massage guns, foam rolling exercises aid with cool-down and recovery, but they’re also an effective warm-up tactic. 

There is an advantage of massage guns when compared to foam rollers. A major advantage is that they are better at targeting specific areas of the body. It can be tricky to address certain body parts or muscles with a foam roller. Take the pectoral muscles or biceps, for instance. It’s much easier to target them with a massage gun, which can help promote relaxation in areas that commonly experience tightness. 

Using A Massage Gun As A Warm-Up Tool

Some people like to jump rope or do jumping jacks for whole body warm-up. Many physical trainers prefer to use massage guns as warm-up tools. Many people only exercise a specific group of muscles when they workout. If this is the case, you can use a massage gun to target those specific muscles for about six to 10 minutes. The percussive nature preps the tissues for exercises, making them less prone to injury and damage. 

Using A Massage Gun As A Cool-Down Tool

Exercising causes lactic acid to build-up in muscles, which is why you feel sore post-workout. Similar to foam rolling, using a handheld massage gun on sore muscles after exercising can accelerate recovery. Repeated percussive massage to the muscles helps to decrease the ability of muscle fibers to cling to lactic acid. 

What Should You Look For In A Massage Gun? 

There are so many reputable and affordable massage guns on the market nowadays. It used to be that the only ones you could get cost $500. Now, you can shop them on the Internet for $40 to $600. Ideally, purchase a massage gun that has multiple speeds and attachments. Different speeds can create a more diverse massage, while the various attachments can help you address specific areas of the body. 

It’s also wise to look for a massage gun that is on the lighter side, preferably within the two- to four-pound range. Since you’ll be holding it for nearly 10 minutes, you don’t want something that weighs 10 pounds. Additionally, choose a massager that is relatively quiet, as some models sound like jigsaws. Consider a massage gun that has a brushless motor. Lastly, battery life is another factor to consider. Some massagers run for three hours, while others die after 80 minutes of use. 

Massage guns are an excellent investment in your overall health, specifically when it comes to performance and recovery. You won’t regret buying one!

SHARE:

The post Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Massage Guns appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you aren’t hip to calendula oil yet, it’s time to board the train because the health benefits are too good to pass up. The secrets about calendula are out, attracting the interest of scientific researchers and herbal enthusiasts alike. The calendula plant offers a wide range of benefits, and has proven to remedy myriad ailments over the years. 

What Is Calendula? 

This colorful flower belongs to the Asteraceae/Compositae family and is native to areas in Canada and the United States. As long as the soil is fertile and well-drained, you can grow calendula, especially if it has access to ample sunlight. The leaves are shades or rich oranges and yellow, and have a lovely fragrance. Various animal and in vitro studies have concluded that the flavonoids from these petals exhibit neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic properties. This makes calendula a highly respected plant in the field of alternative medicine. 

Historically, people used calendula to treat kidney stones and gall stones, primarily because it has disinfectant and diuretic properties. Italian folk medicine used to use calendula oil to reduce inflamed wounds and burns. Some cultures brewed the petals into teas and used it as a face wash to reduce freckles or dark spots, or an eye wash to reduce the risk of conjunctivitis. 

Health Benefits Of Calendula Oil

Nowadays, people continue to use calendula oil to remedy a variety of ailments. The most common uses involve topical application to reduce infections or fungus. According to research, however, calendula oil may help to reduce diaper rash, inflamed skin, and vaginal yeast infections. You can thank the triterpene saponins, triterpene alcohols, and flavonoids for calendula’s ability to do all of these things. These naturally occurring chemicals interact with the body to improve collagen synthesis and enhance new skin tissue growth. Continue reading to learn more about the primary benefits. 

Calendula For Wound Healing

According to a recent study in The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, calendula ointment was tested on cesarean scars in 72 women. The study compared the use of calendula ointment to conventional hospital treatment. The women who used calendula ointment had quicker healing time, and they reported less redness and swelling. Various animal studies tested calendula oil’s efficacy for healing bug bites, scrapes, burns, and bruises. The studies found that topical application of calendula oil encouraged 90% wound closing, compared to a separate controlled group. A newer study concluded that calendula oil may ward off infection, which contributes to faster wound closure.

Calendula As A Sunscreen

During in vitro studies, calendula oil exhibited an ability to encourage cell rejuvenation. The studies tested its efficacy as a sunscreen, showing a slight ability to protect the skin. Unfortunately, the evidence was not substantial enough to deem it acceptable as a sunscreen replacement. Fortunately, more studies are in the works to determine how effective it is at protecting the skin from UV damage. 

Calendula For Vaginal Health

Bacterial vaginosis and vaginal yeast infections are two common occurrences for women. One study with 80 women monitored the use of calendula ointment compared to metronidazole, commonly used to treat bacterial vaginosis. After one week, the study found that both the ointment and metronidazole effectively cured bacterial vaginosis with no side effects. This sparked interest in the participants. The opportunity to use a natural ointment in place of medication excited the women.

Calendula For Muscle Spasms

If you want to ease muscle spasms or tension, get your hands on some calendula oil. According to a Pakistani study, calendula oil was able to relax spontaneous muscle contractions. A different study found that it helped to erase muscle spasms. Because of this ability to reduce muscle spasms, people wonder if it can be beneficial for menstrual cramping. According to anecdotal research, calendula helped induce menstruation for women who experienced irregular periods. It may also ease PMS symptoms like cramping, but more research is necessary to prove this.

How To Make Calendula Oil

Ingredients:

• Dried calendula flowers or petals
• Carrier oil of choice (extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, organ oil, sweet almond oil)
• 1 glass container (half-pint jar works great)

Instructions:

• Fill a half-pint glass jar about 3/4 of the way full with calendula flowers or petals. 
• Pour your desired oil into the jar so that the flowers are fully submerged. 
• Place a lid on the container and store it in a sunny, warm location to enhance the infusion process. A windowsill is perfect. It will stay here for three weeks.
• After the three weeks, you have to strain the flowers from the oil. Pour the oil through a cheesecloth into measuring cup with a pour spout. 
• Pour the strained oil into a glass jar and store it in a cool, dry place. Use it on your body, or face at will. 

SHARE:

The post The Health Benefits Of Calendula Oil appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Muscle Bath Drops – herbal bath drops that aid in relieving deep aches and pain and calm inflammation.

SHARE:

The post Dherbs Muscle Bath Drops appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Arnica is a familiar name in the world of herbal remedies and homeopathic medicine. Commonly infused into gels, lotions, tinctures, or salves, arnica works to reduce bruising, swelling, or the pain of a recent injury. If you are unfamiliar with homeopathy, it is possible that you are unaware of the anti-inflammatory benefits of arnica. That is why we are here with this article.

What Is Homeopathy?

Based on law of similars (like cures like), homeopathy uses substances that may cause adverse symptoms in a healthy person to treat those symptoms in a sick person. The remedy used (let’s use arnica for the sake of this article) gets diluted in a tincture, ointment, or oil to create varying levels of potency. The more dilute the remedy, the greater the potency.

What Is Arnica?

Arnica is an indigenous plant to regions in Asia, Europe, and North America. The most common species is Arnica Montana and it goes by several names, including mountain arnica, mountain tobacco, wolf’s bane, and leopard’s bane. The blossoms resemble daises and traditional folk medicine used these flowers to remedy muscle aches and sore joints. While research is limited surrounding the treatment of medical conditions, anecdotal reports praise arnica’s healing properties.

Important Note: Arnica is for topical use only. Helenalin, which is the compound responsible for arnica’s anti-inflammatory properties, is toxic when you consume it. The reason it does not affect the skin is because homeopathic creams, ointments, or salves containing arnica are very diluted.

Health Benefits Of Arnica 

Reduces Bruising

If you knock your knee into a wall by accident, arnica cream may help reduce bruising and the pain associated with the trauma. You must apply the cream for several days to experience relief, though. Initially, studies did not find any conclusive evidence that arnica helped reduce bruising. More recent studies, however, found that arnica helped reduce postoperative bruising and swelling, especially for knee surgery patients. Another study found that it reduced bruising from rhinoplasty, and it brought swelling down after tonsillectomy.

Helps People With Osteoarthritis

Common treatment for osteoarthritis involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Homeopaths have prescribed arnica to osteoarthritis patients as an alternative remedy to NSAIDs. Researchers from Australia analyzed several studies about topical herbal remedies like arnica for osteoarthritis pain relief. Don’t you find it interesting that arnica gel worked as well, if not better, than ibuprofen at reducing joint pain in the hands of people with osteoarthritis? In contrast to the daily use of ibuprofen, there were minimal side effects of arnica gel. Finally, another study with 79 arthritis patients found that applying arnica gel to their knees twice daily reduced stiffness and increased mobility. Only one person in the study had an allergic reaction.

Reduces Muscle Pain

The studies surrounding arnica’s ability to reduce muscle pain primarily focus on people with myalgia or post-exertional myalgia. Many athletes use arnica-infused ointments or creams to reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery. A lot of sports supplements contain arnica for these reasons. One review of studies in the International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found topical arnica use to be more beneficial than the placebo. People who used arnica experienced great relief from muscle injury, while those who applied the placebo received no such benefits.

Arnica that is diluted in creams or ointments is considered safe for topical application, but people can have adverse reactions to it. The most common reaction is an allergic reaction to the plant, which can result in rash or irritated skin. The people who react to arnica commonly have an allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family, which includes daises, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. Do not ever ingest arnica and don’t purchase dried arnica flowers. Only purchase diluted arnica products to keep yourself healthy and safe.

SHARE:

The post Homeopathic Arnica Reduces Muscle And Osteoarthritis Pain appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Some people refer to coconut water as the “nectar of the gods,” appreciating the refreshing sweetness that has been known to cool people down and boost hydration. Coconut water is trendy because it is marketed as one of the best natural sources of electrolytes. We don’t want to take anything away from coconut water, but most bottled varieties go through intense pasteurization and contain preservatives, added sugars, flavors, concentrate, and mature coconut water.

The Sneaky Ways Of Coconut Water Brands

Unfortunately, chemicals and processing methods ruin coconut water’s inherent benefits, making it harmful instead of beneficial. The best coconut water is from green coconuts because they are young and the water is sweet and full of nutrients. Most companies use older coconuts because they are cheaper for manufacturing. Since the water is bitter, companies need to add sweeteners and flavors during processing for a palatable experience for the consumer. Those “natural flavors” are not so natural. In addition to the preservatives that are listed on the ingredient label, many coconuts are sprayed with sodium metabisulphite or formaldehyde for transportation to keep them fresh.

All of that said, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with drinking coconut water straight from the coconut. Fresh, raw coconut water from younger green coconuts is rich in fiber, protein, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. If you can’t get your hands on young Thai coconuts, a great coconut water brand is Harmless Harvest, which purchases organic coconuts from fair trade farms and doesn’t use any preservatives or pasteurization. You can view the benefits of coconut water below.

Boosts Immune Function

Containing anti-viral and antibacterial properties, coconut water helps to enhance immune function and supply the body with necessary electrolytes and other nutrients. The inherent antioxidants work to fight oxidative stress, but keep in mind that most bottled varieties that go through pasteurization have reduced antioxidant content.

Anti-Aging Properties

Coconut water is rich in cytokinins, which are actually the hormones that help plants grow. According to several studies, these compounds have anti-aging properties that help to hydrate the skin and make it appear more youthful and glowing. There have been several claims about the cancer-fighting properties of cytokinins, but no major studies have confirmed these statements.

Great For Muscles

Your muscles require calcium almost as much as you bones and teeth do. Calcium assists with proper muscle contraction and relaxation, and accelerates the recovery of broken down muscle fibers after a workout. Now, in order for calcium to improve muscle function, the body also requires magnesium, which is in coconut water. Magnesium helps deliver both calcium and potassium to muscles, aiding with proper contraction and relaxation. While coconut water contains calcium and magnesium, you’ll need to seek out other dietary sources to obtain the recommended daily intake of these minerals.

Boosts Hydration

Nearly every single person could use some help in the hydration department. We’ve written several articles on how to keep the body hydrated (view our most recent post here). You don’t need sugary sports drinks because research has shown that the body actually responds positively during exercise when fresh coconut water is consumed prior to working out. The sugar content and processed ingredients in sports drinks will actually dehydrate the body, whereas the electrolytes in coconut water boost hydration.

Improves Heart Health

People with high blood pressure often have disproportionate levels of electrolytes. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps to balance fluid and electrolyte levels, and an eight-ounce glass of coconut water contains as much potassium as a banana. Some nutritionists recommend that people with high blood pressure drink one cup of fresh coconut water in the morning to assist with electrolyte balance for optimal heart health. The magnesium content in coconut water also contributes to healthy heart function.

There are a lot of coconut water brands out there, and most of them are not beneficial to drink. Always read the labels and strive to drink coconut water from young green coconuts for optimal sweet flavor and higher nutrient content.

SHARE:

The post 5 Reasons To Drink More Coconut Water appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Sometimes referred to as the poor man’s massage, foam rolling has gained popularity within to past few years because people are realizing the amazing benefits. Foam rolling is the technique of rolling out a body part to mobilize muscle areas and relieve overall soreness. If foam rolling is done regularly, it may save you trips to chiropractors or doctors.

Let’s use the analogy of going to the dentist. People only go to the dentist once or twice a year, but they brush their teeth and floss (hopefully) every day. Foam rolling is like brushing your teeth, only you are massaging your muscles every day instead. Consistent foam rolling can have a calming effect on the nervous system and help you increase your range of motion, while lessening muscle stress.

What Roller Should You Use?

If you are starting off, you don’t want a roller that is too soft and you definitely don’t want the one with bumps because that will murder your muscles. A firm, high-density foam roller will help to massage away the lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles when you exercise. Doing this essentially makes the muscles looser, rolling away the tension that is stored in the fascia, which is the connective tissue that wraps around all the muscles in the body. If the fascia is tight, knots or toxins can get lodged in it and make it thick, dense, and hard to relieve. If you need relief in your feet, you can always step on a tennis ball to reduce tension in the arch.

What Muscles Should You Roll?

For starters, don’t roll your throat, face, or ribcage. You can roll sensitive areas like your abdomen, but you have to be careful and avoid resting your entire bodyweight on the roller. The back is the most common area to foam roll because tension in the lower back can often induce ankle, knee, and hip pain. While it is also beneficial to roll your calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and the IT band, rolling the entire back is always beneficial.

A Quick Note: If you are rolling the same body part, like your calves, several times a day to get rid of pain, then something isn’t right. Using the foam roller in this way is like applying a bandage to the wound, as opposed to addressing the problem. You can always look up full body foam rolling videos online to loosen all of your muscles.

Don’t Rush

Foam rolling is not something that you should rush through. Rushing through the process will not give you the described benefits. Think about the areas you are rolling and where the pain is in those areas. You may need to rest on a painful spot and move back and forth to massage the soreness.

However you roll, make sure to get it done for National Foam Rolling Day. Post a video of yourself foam rolling and tag us on social media!

SHARE:

The post Let’s Roll Out For National Foam Rolling Day appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Everyone experiences muscle soreness or involuntary muscle spasms at some point in life. The pain can range from mild to excruciating, making you feel as though you cannot move. Spasms mostly occur in the arms, calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, or in the lower back. While patience is necessary when it comes to muscle soreness, we all want something that is fast acting.

For quick relief, many people turn to over-the-counter muscle relaxers, which are not designed to help the muscular system. Muscle relaxers target the nervous system and they do not address the problem; rather, they only stop communication between the nervous system and the brain. This temporary “shut-off” isn’t just targeted to the painful area, though; the entire body is affected, which is why many people experience brain fog after taking these medications. And they take more when the pain returns.

You don’t have to get hooked on medications because there are natural remedies that are designed to specifically target the sore muscle. Outside of consistently using an ice pack, which is beneficial for reducing inflammation and soreness, try the following remedies to help naturally relieve muscle soreness.

Cayenne Pepper

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper acts as a natural muscle relaxant, offering anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties to reduce stiffness and inflammation. Several studies have found that topical application of capsaicin cream helped manage soft tissue pain. Mix one teaspoon of cayenne pepper with two tablespoons of warm extra virgin olive oil. Apply this to the painful area as needed.

Arnica Oil

Arnica has been a powerful remedy for exercise related, inflammatory injuries for quite some time. Topical application of arnica oil, cream, or ointment has helped to reduce pain and muscle damage. Thymol, which is found in arnica, acts as a vasodilator that works to reduce fluid accumulations. It also stimulates white blood cell flow to help disperse congested blood that may be trapped in joints, bruises, or muscles.

Epsom Salt

If you are experiencing muscle spasms or cramps, you may want to turn to Epsom salt to boost your magnesium levels. Regular muscle spasms or cramps can actually be symptoms of magnesium deficiency. The magnesium in Epsom salt is easily absorbed by the skin, which helps promote muscle relaxation. It also works to relax the nervous system and remove toxins that may contribute to inflammation and pain. Mix 2 cups of Epsom salt in a lukewarm bath and soak for 20 minutes once a week.

Massage

Pain is the body’s way of telling you to rest that area in order for healing to begin. One of the best ways to relieve muscle pain is to get a massage. A skilled massage therapist can help to relieve tension in the area and the rest of the surrounding muscles. Recent studies found that massage therapy helped to improve bone and muscle pain management. Get a massage at least once a month to lower stress levels and relieve muscle tension.

Rosemary

A frequent herb used in the Mediterranean diet, rosemary works to calm inflamed muscle tissue and reduce overall soreness. Upon ingestion, rosemary helps to improve blood circulation to promote swift recovery. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have been effective for those with arthritis and muscle pain. Add one teaspoon of dried rosemary to one cup of hot water, steep for ten minutes, and then strain the rosemary out. Drink this three times daily. You can also add 15 drops of rosemary essential oil to a lukewarm bath and soak in it for 20 minutes.

Don’t Rest Too Much

Unless the pain is extremely severe, you will benefit from mobilizing the muscle to reduce possible inflammation. Moving at a slower pace is perfectly fine, but motion aids the healing process. You may want to try foam rolling to help speed up your recovery time, improve blood flow, and provide myofascial release.

SHARE:

The post The 5 Best Ways To Naturally Relax Muscles appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.