5 Natural Sore Muscle Remedies

Whether it’s winter and the cold weather is hurting your joints, or it’s summer and the work and activity has made for sore muscles, having some sore muscle remedies on hand is a great idea.

Sore Muscle Causes

We’ve probably all had a very hard day’s work where our muscles are just sore and tired at the end of the day.

Our family has been running OCR races the past two years. At the end of half marathons especially, everyone is very tired and sore. Exercise can put tiny tears in the muscle as it is broken down. Muscles need time to heal and grow. That is why starting exercise slowly, resting, and allowing muscles to build up is important.

There are a lot of reasons one may have sore muscles though. Exercise is just one of them. These recipes may also benefit you if you have issues with:

• Lyme disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Flu
• Muscle cramping from low minerals
• Arthritus
• Chronic Fatigue
• Sprains
• Dehydration
• And other health conditions that can cause soreness of muscles unrelated to muscle tears you may have from exercise.

Different Causes, Same Natural Treatment?

You can use a lot of the same treatments for different muscle soreness. First understand why you are sore (if possible) and then understand what the natural remedies target. This will help you to understand which remedies are best for you.

I’ll do my best to expand on what has helped us and why. With having Chronic Lyme disease and tick fever, as well as being a runner, we’ve had a lot of experience with dealing with pain and soreness. These are the methods that I know work. I hope they help give you relief as well.

5 Natural Sore Muscle Remedies

I’m not a doctor. These are simply traditional tried and true methods we have been using for years.

1. Epsom Salts and Magnesium Oil

The first and most popular sore muscle remedy is popular for a reason. Epsom salts really does work on sore muscles.

The reason Epsom salts works is due to the fact that the salts naturally pull fluid from the muscles and help reduce inflammation. This then helps reduce pain.

A good magnesium oil can be rubbed right onto the sore muscle and target that specific area. Otherwise, make yourself a foot soak or warm bath and pour 1-2 cups of Epsom salts into the water before soaking.

2. Stay Hydrated and Keep Moving

Hydration helps with inflammation by cleansing the system and preventing a lot of muscle cramping and pain to begin with. Movement helps lymph flow and reduces inflammation. Just don’t over do it, especially if you need to rest and heal.

3. Cayenne Salve Recipe

This recipe, that you can find here, is a natural pain reliever. This simple salve can be made very quickly for minor pain relief. It works great for sore muscles and joints, bruises, and even nerve pain. If using for arthritic pain, use it daily, and note that it may take a week or two to see results.

4. Lobelia Herbal Bath

Lobelia is widely known in herbal circles as THE herb for sore muscles. It is not something that you want to drink, but topical application relieves muscular tension and spasms.

This recipe is great for a bath. It takes only 30 minutes to prepare (15 simmering, 15 cooling) and then can be added to bath water for a wonderful luxurious bath. This is not recommended for children as lobelia is a strong muscle relaxer.

Ingredients:

• 1/8 cup Lobelia arieals (flowers, leaves or seeds)
• 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped Ginger

Directions:

1. In a large sauce pan, bring 4 cups of water to boil.
2. Add lobelia and ginger and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool enough to not scald you in the bathwater. Strain herb if desired.
4. OPTIONAL: You can also add 2 Tablespoons each (one or all if desired) of lavender buds, chamomile flowers, and lemon balm. Add these in the cooling phase after removing from heat for 10-15 minutes.

Repeat the bath as needed.

5. Tart Cherry Juice

This is one thing that has given me joint pain relief during hard winter months with Lyme disease.  Tart cherry juice has been shown to reduce the recovery time for sore muscles after exercising and reduce the pain level (1). How does it work? It greatly reduces inflammation! It’s high in potassium, antioxidants, and helps regulate metabolism (lots of anthocyanins).

This does not mean that junk cherry juice with lots of sugar and other ingredients will be effective. You need a high-quality tart cherry juice like this one.

Drink about 2 ounces once to twice a day.

Let me know what other methods you use for muscle pain relief and sore muscles and joints.