Pain Relief Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are one of my favorite natural beauty recipes to make. They are a simple way to moisturize and nourish the skin and they can be easily customized for a variety of uses. This variation is one of my favorites, especially for after athletic training or on sore muscles. I don’t use it during pregnancy, but it is great at other times. I also make a diluted version by using half as much Menthol and Essential Oil and omitting the Arnica oil for use on the kids when they get growing pains.

These natural pain relief lotion bars smell excellent and work wonders on sore or tired muscles!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup  coconut oil
• 1/3 cup shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter
• 1/3 cup  beeswax (can add an extra ounce or two if you want a thicker consistency, which leaves less lotion on the skin when used)
• 1 tablespoon of Menthol Crystals
• 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 1/2 tsp Arnica Oil (optional)

This recipe can be adjusted to make any quantity that you’d like. I made with 1/3 cup of each main ingredients, but this can adjusted up for down for bigger or smaller batches.

How to Make:

Combine all ingredients in a quart size glass mason jar and carefully place this jar in a small saucepan of water on the stove.

Turn the burner on and bring water to a low simmer. Stir ingredients constantly until they are melted and smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in the menthol crystals and stir until dissolved.

Add essential oils and arnica oil (optional) and stir until mixed.

Carefully pour into molds or whatever you will be allowing the lotion bars to harden in. I used these silicon loaf molds, though any mold would work.

Allow the lotion bars to cool completely before attempting to pop out of molds. These could be made in different shaped molds or made in a square baking pan and then cut into actual bars.

How to Use:

Store in a cool or dry place for up to six months (I’ve even had some last as long as a year).

To apply to skin: hold bar in hand and carefully rub on dry skin. The heat of the skin will transfer some of the lotion bar to the skin. I store my lotion bars on a small plate on my dresser and bathroom counter. Add more or less menthol for a more or less potent bar.

Have you ever made lotion bars? What did you add to yours?

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