This homemade muscle rub contains magnesium and essential oils to help soothe sore muscles. It works amazingly well and it’s safe to use daily. I rub my feet with it every night before I go to bed.

Materials

• ½ cup magnesium oil
• You can make your own magnesium oil with ½ cup magnesium flakes and 3 tablespoons of water. In fact, I highly recommend making your own because it’s more affordable and the flakes are versatile.
• 5 grams beeswax (pellets or pastilles are far easier to work with than a block)
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 100 grams shea butter
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (optional, helps it feel a bit less ‘greasy’)
• Lavender essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Frankincense essential oil, peppermint or marjoram

Tools

• Measuring cup
• Double boiler or pot + a jar that can contain 4 cups (or glass bowl) to make a double boiler
• Scale and measuring cups
• Immersion blender
• Glass jars for storage

Instructions

How to make your own magnesium oil:

Place the magnesium flakes in a measuring cup and add three tablespoons of very hot water.

• The magnesium will dissolve more quickly if you use boiling hot water.
• Stir to combine. It will have time to mix while you make the rest of the muscle rub.

Yes, magnesium oil is water based! It feels oily, but it isn’t actually oil. That’s why the muscle rub body butter has to be emulsified using a blender.

How to make muscle rub body butter:

• Place the coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter in a glass ja (or a bowl, if you don’t have a jar that can contain 4 cups of liquid).

• Put a 5 – 7 cm of water in a small pot, place the glass jar in the pot, and place over medium heat on the stove/range. 

• Stir occasionally and keep an eye on the water. Once it approaches the point of a simmer, turn it down.

• Once the mixture has melted completely, carefully remove the glass jar from the double boiler (and turn off your stove!).

• Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature or until it becomes cloudy looking.

• Insert your immersion blender into the jar and start mixing. You can also use a hand mixer on medium speed. You could probably also use a ‘normal’ blender, though I haven’t tried it!

• Carefully and slowly add the magnesium oil. Keep blending until it is fully combined with the butter mixture.

• Add your essential oils and mix to combine.

• At this point, your muscle rub is essential ready to use. If at any point you notice any separation in your body butter, emulsify it again. If you don’t, then you’er good to go.

• Lastly, transfer your muscle rub to your final smaller glass jars. It should fit in two cup jars perfectly, if you prefer a bigger size, and it will last you a while.

Create with love, use with joy!

Marta