Muscle & Joint Oil

St. John’s Wort - anti inflammatory properties reduce pain and inflammation; analgesic properties act as a pain reliever; sedative properties calm the nervous system

Goldenrod - anti inflammatory; relaxant nervine; antispasmodic; good for circulatory system to ease aches and pain

Cayenne - capsaicin creates the “heat” in cayenne, and reduces pain

Arnica - anti inflammatory reduces swelling; relief from bruises, aches, sprains and flare-ups

Cramp Bark - relieves cramps, including muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, and cramps during pregnancy

Ginger Root - anti inflammatory soothes arthritis and muscle pain; warming abilities help to improve circulation and relieve tension in tired muscles

Evergreen (pine/cypress/cedar/thuja/birch) - mild analgesic that eases pain and loosens stiff muscles

Rosemary - anti-inflammatory properties calm inflamed muscle tissue and speed healing

Turmeric Root - curcumin in turmeric naturally helps to reduce inflammation

Willow Bark - salicin in willow bark is similar to the main ingredient in aspirin, and is therefore used to help treat headaches, tension, muscle spasms, cramps, menstrual cramps and more.

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil and Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil infused with Arnica Montana* (Arnica), Hypericum Perforatum* (St. John’s Wort), Capsicum Annuum* (Cayenne), Viburnum Opulus* (Cramp Bark), Zingiber Officinale* (Ginger) Root, Thuja Occidentalis* (Thuja), Rosmarinus Officinalis* (Rosemary), Curcuma Longa* (Turmeric) Root, Salix Alba* (White Willow) Bark, Solidago Gigantea* (Goldenrod); Essential oils blend

Massage on to affected area as needed. You may feel the plants at work through a warm and/or tingling sensation. Store in a cool, dark place. Keeps for 12+ months with proper storage.

*Always try a test patch the first time you use a new product. Not for internal use. Do not use on open cuts or wounds. It is always recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. Keep out of the reach of children. Avoid use around face and other mucosal membranes.

Using herb-infused oils is a simple, deeply healing form of self care, whose effects you can feel immediately. In Ayurveda, abhyanga (self massage, with oil) is a daily practice. The Sanskrit word sneha means, both, “oil” and “love”— in essence, you are saturating yourself with love; creating feelings of stability, warmth, and comfort.

Self-massage is the act of massaging yourself. It is more than just slathering oil on your body, as you would when applying lotion to moisturize. It is a ritual-- a gentle practice that involves taking the time to be with yourself, to support your mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurveda recommends devoting fifteen minutes (in the morning or before bed) for self-massage, ensuring love and attention is paid to each of the tissue layers as you nourish them with a warm oil.

Through self massage, the warm oil penetrates through deep layers of tissue in our bodies, directly accessing our nervous, lymphatic, and immune systems. By keeping the body hydrated, we keep these systems nourished and healthy. Some benefits of body oiling include:
- improved musculoskeletal and nervous system health
- softer, stronger, and healthier skin
- relaxed muscles and pain relief
- improved quality of sleep
- increased mobility
- stimulates internal organs
- lubricates joints, tones tissues, and strengthens limbs
- improved circulation and lymph drainage
- clearer thinking
- increased energy and stamina
- a well nourished whole body

HOW TO PERFORM SELF MASSAGE

Perform abhyanga in the morning for a day of vigor and increased energy.Perform abhyanga before bed, for a more restful sleep.

Heat oil by placing the jar in a pan of hot water, until it is a pleasant temperature for you.

Sit quietly and slow your breathing. Applying the oil, generously to your body, working your way down:

- Crown of your head: work outward in a circular motion. spend some time here, to focus on your vital energy

- Face: upward, circular motion on forehead, temples, cheeks, jaw, ears

- Limbs (arms and legs): long, circular strokes, toward your heart

- Joints (elbows and knees): circular motion toward your heart

- Abdomen & chest: broad, clockwise, circular motion. On the abdomen, follow the path of the large intestine by moving up on the right side of the abdomen, then across, and down on the left side

- Feet: spend a few minutes here, there are many nerve endings

Leave oil on to penetrate for 5-15 minutes. Take a hot shower or bath to help expand the pores, so the oil is absorbed even more. Avoid vigorous application of soap. It’s okay to leave some of the oil on.

Gently pat yourself dry.