How to Make Cayenne Pepper Salve
Learn how to make your own cayenne pepper salve using just 3 ingredients! Perfect for easing sore muscles and joints, this homemade remedy is a must-have in your natural medicine cabinet.
Equipment
- 1 mason jar
- 1 liquid measuring cup
- measuring cups
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 kitchen scale
- 1 double-boiler (or small pot and metal bowl)
- cheesecloth
- 4 2 oz glass jars
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil or safflower oil
- ¼ cup cayenne pepper ground
- 1 oz beeswax pellets
Instructions
Make the Infusion
- Add oil and cayenne pepper to a mason jar and mix thoroughly.
- Add 1 or 2 inches of water to a slow cooker. Place the uncovered mason jar in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to "Keep Warm"
- Leave the infusion for 3 - 24 hours.
Making the Salve
- Add a few inches of water to the bottom of the double-boiler. Alternatively, you can use a small pot. Bring the water to a boil.
- Strain the infusion using cheesecloth into the top of the double-boiler (or a metal bowl if you don't have a double-boiler). Place the top/bowl onto the bottom/pot.
- While the infusion is heating up, add the beeswax pellets to the infusion and stir.
- Once the beeswax pellets have melted and you have a uniform mixture, your salve is ready to be transferred to jars.
- Using a funnel, carefully transfer the salve to the jars. If transferring from a metal bowl, make sure to use heat-protective gloves or a tea towel.
- Allow the salve to cool completely before sealing the jars with the lids.
Notes
- Apply a small amount of salve to areas with sore muscles or joints.
- Cayenne pepper is stimulating, so it is normal to feel a tingling sensation and to see a bit of redness initially. Discontinue use if you experience irritation that does not go away after a few minutes.
- Do not apply cayenne salve to broken or irritated skin.
- Always wash hands thoroughly after applying cayenne salve to avoid getting it in your eyes.
- Cayenne pepper salve is not meant to be applied to mucus membranes.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- The jars should be sterilized for a longer shelf life. I pour boiling water into the jars, let them sit for a minute or two, and then thoroughly dry them.
- Cayenne pepper salve should last for several months if stored out of sunlight and used with a clean applicator.