Hot and Icy Foot Salve

Often, my treadmill treks leave my feet weary and aching. So, I've concocted a swift, simple foot salve with both warming and cooling effects. Massage it into tired soles and experience an invigorating resurgence in your stride.

Photo credit HERE. 

I like to use Mountain Rose Herbs Certified Organic Arnica Herbal Oil in my formula. According to the Mountain Rose Herbs website, "Our small-batch Arnica Herbal Oil is solar infused in a window on site using certified organic Arnica montana flowers, organic Olive oil and a touch of Vitamin E oil. This oil is well-suited for those who physically exert themselves and push their bodies. Absorbs quickly into the skin and fast-acting." 

I also like to use three specific essential oils in my blend. I use peppermint, ginger and wintergreen. You can purchase these at Mountain Rose Herbs. For this recipe, I used 30 drops of peppermint, 15 drops of wintergreen and 15 drops of ginger oil. Of course, if you have any medical problems such as diabetes, on blood thinning medications, are pregnant or nursing, you will want to speak to your health care provider before using essential oils.

You will also need some beewax in order to thicken your oil and turn it into a salve. You can purchase beeswax at Mountain Rose Herbs.

I like to use about 15% beeswax in my formula for salve. To thicken the 2 ounces of Arnica Herbal Oil, you will use about 9 grams of shaved beeswax. I like the salve for my feet to be a very soft consistency so that I can massage it in easily. You can also adjust the amount of beeswax in your blend to make it a bit harder if you like.

Pour the 2 ounces of Arnica Oil into a glass measuring cup and place in a pan with a few inches of gently simmering water. Add the beeswax into the oil and stir until melted. Remove from the heat. Add in the essential oils and stir. Carefully pour the hot liquid into a class jar or metal tin. Allow to cool and harden. Massage into clean and dry feet and wear a pair of socks for extra softening action.