Joyful Joints Cream {made with essential oils}

Arthritis?  Sore, achy joints?

This homemade joint pain relief cream is exactly what you need.

Here’s why…

• made with all-natural ingredients
• fast-acting
• penetrates deep to get exactly where you need relief
• lessens stiffness
• eases painful joints
• improves circulation
• reduces inflammation and swelling

Whether you have arthritis or short-term overuse of a joint, this DIY cream works for temporary relief of sore, stiff, swollen joints.  Apply it to fingers, knees, ankles and other affected joints.  It acts quickly to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain so that you can get on with your day.

What’s in essential oil joint pain relief cream?

• organic extra virgin coconut oil (or substitute with babassu oil)

Coconut oil dilutes the essential oils and helps them be even more effective.

• copaiba essential oil

Copaiba contains beta-caryophyllene.  This has two primary benefits for joint pain relief:

1) It produces endorphins and feelings of happiness.

2) It’s a potent anti-inflammatory which lessens swelling in sore, achy joints.

• lemongrass essential oil

Lemongrass essential oil contains 70-80% citral.  Citral helps ease pain and relieve inflammation.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research found that topical application of lemongrass essential oil decreased arthritis pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

• peppermint essential oil

Peppermint essential oil creates a sensation of hot or cold that can temporarily override your ability to feel pain.

• wintergreen essential oil

When wintergreen is combined with peppermint essential oil it gives far better pain relief than either one alone.

• frankincense essential oil

The boswellic acids found in frankincense have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Frankincense has been used for thousands of years to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and improve blood circulation.

• myrrh essential oil

When myrrh is combined with frankincense essential oil it gives far better pain relief than either one alone.  Research has shown that when combined together frankincense and myrrh suppress joint inflammation, improve blood circulation, and lessen the intensity of pain.

How to make joint pain relief cream with essential oils

step 1:  add 1 cup organic extra virgin coconut oil to mixing bowl

tip:  Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit (about 24.5 degrees Celsius) and it can start softening in the low 70s, so if your home gets warmer than that (especially in the summer), store coconut oil in the refrigerator.  If it does melt, no worries – put it in the fridge for a while to resolidify it.

Join our email list!

Get essential oil recipes, info, and ideas via our email newsletter.

Email Address

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.

tip:  If you don’t like coconut oil, you can substitute babassu oil.

step 2:  whip coconut oil until it’s light & fluffy

tip:  Start on low speed to soften coconut oil, and then once softened increase mixer speed to whip the coconut oil.

tip:  You can use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer.  Both are strong enough to mix up this joint pain relief cream.

step 3:  once the coconut oil is soft & fluffy, add essential oils

Add all of the following

• 35 drops copaiba essential oil
• 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 20 drops wintergreen essential oil
• 35 drops peppermint essential oil
• 20 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops myrrh essential oil

tip:  Would you prefer to make a smaller batch of joint pain relief cream?  If so, check out the alternative recipes shared after these step-by-step instructions.  There are recipe variations for making a half batch and a quarter-sized batch.

note:  This recipe uses 140 drops of essential oils which may seem like a lot, but because it’s in 1 cup of carrier oil (coconut oil or babassu oil), the dilution ratio is 2.9%.  This is just under the acceptable dilution ratio of 3.0% that’s recommended for specific localized discomfort in adults.

In case you want to see the math –> There are 4,800 drops in 1 cup of carrier oil.  You calculate the dilution ratio by dividing the # of drops of essential oil by the # of drops of carrier oil.  For this joint pain relief cream, that’s 140 drops essential oil/4,800 drops of carrier oil= 2.9% dilution ratio.

note:  See below after the recipe for a breakdown of the dilution ratio of each individual essential oil.

step 4:  mix the essential oils into the whipped coconut oil until everything is completely blended

step 5:  scoop into jars

tip:  This recipe will make enough for one 8 oz jar, two 4 oz jars, OR four 2 oz jars.

step 6:  add a label ( click here to get a free printable label)

Dilution Ratios of Individual Essential Oils

*maximum dilution rate recommended for specific localized discomfort used by adults

Make Smaller Amount- Recipes for Half & Quarter Batches

How to use

• rub onto skin right where your joint hurts (great for knees, fingers, feet, shoulders, neck, hip, etc)
• gently massage in
• reapply as needed

tip:  As with any new-to-you topical product, be sure to spot test this joint pain relief cream.  Wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction before applying to larger area.

Where to get supplies?

This website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link. 

organic extra virgin coconut oil OR babassu oil

copaiba essential oil

lemongrass essential oil

wintergreen essential oil

peppermint essential oil

frankincense essential oil

myrrh essential oil

free printable recipe & label

Please join us…

we’re on Facebook here

we’re on Pinterest here

click here to sign up our email newsletter

Please note: Products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products and information on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care.  Always consult your medical doctor regarding your medical care. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer: Please know that this website contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. The price is exactly the same for you as it would be without the affiliate link.