Have you ever gotten home after a long stressful day and noticed how tight and sore your shoulders and neck feel?
Or maybe you played a competitive game of tennis, and your muscles feel unusually stiff and painful the next day.
Muscle tension is extremely common and something most of us will experience at some point due to stress, poor posture, overuse, or injury. While medications can sometimes provide relief, side effects and costs can be a downside. A simple DIY lavender gel recipe using natural ingredients may help relax those stressed, tight muscles and provide quick and effective tension relief without the need to pop pills!
What Causes Muscle Tension Anyway?
Muscle tension occurs when muscles remain semi-contracted for prolonged periods. It originates physiologically when your fight-or-flight nervous system response is triggered, either by perceived danger or by emotional stress. Researchers have found that chronic activation of stress hormones causes increased muscle tension as well as anxiety, headaches, fatigue, and more serious health issues if left unchecked.
In today’s high-pressure world, it’s not surprising that stress-related psychic tension often manifests physically in our tensed-up musculoskeletal system. Maintaining awkward positions such as hunching over a computer, accidents that result in injuries, or mineral deficiencies like low magnesium can also cause debilitating muscle stiffness and pain. Even simple dehydration is a culprit for increased cramping.
These sensitive muscular issues impact flexibility, circulation, energy levels, and day-to-day comfort – taking a toll mentally and physically.
Finding natural, easy self-care techniques to unwind painful tight spots is the main root of keeping your body healthy and balanced.
Lavender to the Rescue!
The lavender essential oil has been used since ancient times for bathing, relaxation, perfumes, and medicinal purposes. Today, rigorous medical studies have confirmed lavender’s therapeutic qualities, showing its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and sedative properties that benefit both body and mind.
Lavender helps soothe tense muscles in a variety of ways – it reduces swelling and cramping by inhibiting inflammation, improves blood circulation in damaged tissue, and blocks pain signals to the brain. At the same time, lavender’s lovely floral scent has profound stress-relieving effects, calming the nervous system and encouraging healthier sleep patterns.
By addressing both the psychological and physical components of chronic muscle issues with one multifaceted natural ingredient – lavender offers an elegant, easy, and effective solution.
Make Your Own Lavender Soothing Gel
This simple DIY gel is the perfect home remedy for instant relief when life has you all twisted up in knots! Follow these few basic steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin powder
- 3 medium size aloe vera leaves, filleted
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 3 drops vanilla essential oil
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil (analgesic and soothing)
- 2 teaspoons jojoba oil (for skin health)
You will also need:
A tea ball/cloth, bowls, a spoon, a knife, an airtight container, and a blender or an immersion blender.
Directions:
- Lightly rinse aloe vera leaves and place them upright to drain the yellow sap.
- Simmer 1/3 cup water in a small pot. Place lavender flowers in a tea ball/cloth and steep in hot water for 5-7 minutes to make a lavender “tea”.
- Bloom gelatin by sprinkling it in a small bowl with a few drops of cold water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Carefully fillet aloe vera leaves. Using a spoon, scrape the inner clear gel into a bowl.
- Add aloe gel, lavender tea, essential oils, gelatin, and jojoba oil to a blender. Blend into a light, frothy gel.
- Transfer gel to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 hours until set.
- Massage the prepared gel into tight, strained muscles for relief. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes:
The rosemary oil adds an extra soothing, analgesic effect. Jojoba oil is easily absorbed by the skin and adds softness and nutrients. For a longer-lasting gel, add more vitamin E oil as an antioxidant.
Avoid getting lavender oil near the eyes or open cuts. Discontinue the usage if irritation occurs. Keep refrigerated and discard when dried out or separated.
Enjoy this natural relaxing remedy for tired muscles!
Massage your homemade lavender gel generously onto sore areas for rapid relief from muscle aches and pains. The anti-inflammatory and cooling properties will increase circulation to affected tissue, reducing cramping and spasms, while the soothing lavender aroma melts away stress.
Use your gel after a difficult workout, a long work week, or that competitive tennis game when muscles feel unusually stiff and painful. The simple act of massaging releases feel-good endorphins as well, helping you relax.
Remember that aloe vera also has healing properties for skin irritations like sunburn. So slather some on instead of expensive store-bought creams!
Natural Solutions for Chronic Issues
Be Consistent when managing long-term muscle tension without the use of medication. Set yourself up for success by incorporating more preventative healthy habits into your regular routine.
Simple lifestyle tweaks can keep painful, tightened areas from flaring up as often:
- Unwind with calming activities before bed, like journaling, gentle yoga stretches, or meditation.
- Stay hydrated by sipping water throughout the day.
- Exercise wisely by warming up/cooling down and mixing up activities.
- Eat more magnesium and potassium-rich foods like leafy greens, avocados, and bananas.
And when these particularly stubborn tight spots come in, massage with your DIY lavender gel for quick, soothing relief!
If tension becomes severe or persists longer than a week or two, seek professional medical advice. But for occasional cramping or feelings of tightness, reach for your homemade lavender gel instead of heading to the pharmacy.
Provide your worn-out muscles some gentle care with the power of this natural plant medicine!
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