by Marie | Nov 16, 2015 | , Very Crunchy | 14 comments
First I made Air Conditioning in a Bottle, and then Air Conditioning in a Tin, and now I’m making Fireplace in a Tin. Frankly, I can’t believe it’s taken so long as I am far more likely to require heating than cooling up here in Canada. Let’s not delay things any longer!
The heat in this deep red, spicy balm comes from warming essential oils—chilli seed, cassia, and black pepper, primarily. These essential oils are blended into a glassy balm thickened with candelilla wax so you can easily glide a thin layer of the balm across your skin.
I no longer recommend using essential oils at such high concentrations; read this for more information.
You’ll find this balm has quite a bit in common with hot tiger balm, sensation-wise. It’s missing the cold essential oils (the peppermint and menthol), of course, but you’ll find it works nicely as a sore muscle rub as well as a warm-up rub. I find it starts as a burn and wanes to a warming simmer.
Because these essential oils are designed to stimulate circulation, they can be irritating—especially in sensitive places. I opted to make this a solid instead of a spray to reduce the risk of it ending up in places you don’t want it (like eyes, nasal passages, and lungs). Be careful when applying it not to touch your eyes, pick your nose, or touch any other sensitive bits before thoroughly washing your hands. I also wouldn’t recommend use of this balm on young children.
This recipe does contain a high concentration of essential oils in order to deliver to physical sensation we’re going for. I tested the recipe with lower amounts—at 4g of each essential oil you couldn’t feel anything, and at 10g of each it was just a slight itching. If you aren’t comfortable with high concentrations of essential oils don’t reduce them—just don’t make this recipe. I’ve written a more detailed article on essential oil concentrations here, with info on safety and what not 🙂
5g | 0.17oz candelilla wax
20g | 0.7oz safflower oil15g | 0.53oz chili seed essential oil
15g | 0.53oz cassia essential oil
20 drops black pepper essential oil (optional, honestly)Melt together the candelilla wax and safflower oil in a glass measuring cup in a pan of simmering water. While they melt, weigh out the essential oils (do not try to convert the weights of the essential oils to drops—there is no reliable way to do this and I have no idea what quantity of essential oil you’d end up with in your final product).
Once the oil and wax has melted, add the essential oils, stir to combine, and decant to a glass jar. I recommend glass over anything here (especially plastic!) because of the high concentration of essential oils.
Makes ~45mL/1.5oz.
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Micheleon November 16, 2015 at 8:35 am
Hello, What are the advantages of Candelillia wax verses beeswax.
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Marieon November 17, 2015 at 7:10 am
I’ve used candelilla in this recipe because I wanted to make a thinner, glassy balm that would glide across the skin. Candelilla is harder and smoother than beeswax, making for products that apply in thinner layers. Read this and this for a better idea 🙂
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Sophieon November 17, 2015 at 4:20 am
You can check this in the FAQs: http://www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/can-use-_______-wax-instead-wax-called-recipe/
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Marieon November 17, 2015 at 7:16 am
Thanks!
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Kateon November 17, 2015 at 4:49 pm
I’ve found Capsaicin essential oil and have tried to use it in a “Pain Balm” such as yours. However I find I don’t feel the heat as much as I’d like and when I up the capsaicin amount my skin gets irritated instead of feeling more heat. The “itching” you describe seems an accurate description. According to your article you added more chili oil to get past the “itching, irritation” and wound up with the heat you wanted? I also use the Cassia oil too.
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Marieon November 18, 2015 at 7:47 am
Hi Kate! There’s heat, but it’s still a prickly heat. I do find the prickling dissipates after a few minutes, leaving heat. I’ve also tried applying this with tiger balm, and that’s quite nice—the mint in the tiger balm helps cut the prickling.
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Lauren Contalonison November 18, 2015 at 11:53 am
Oh buddy, I want to make so many of your products! Just curious, do you have any tips on making it more affordable? I’m trying to roll the holidays/birthdays/mothers days etc into DIY stuff so I can help justify the cost and also create some products I need as well. 🙂 Although I bet you definitely save money by not buying expensive house and beauty products at big retailers (which I don’t want to give money to anyways). And shopping sales etc. Just curious! I also really liked your post on the essential things to buy to get started and also the post of things you shouldn’t waste your money on. Idk maybe there is nothing more to say. I just want to DIY all day long. 🙂 Thanks for all these great recipes. Wish time would travel faster so I could get your book already 😉
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Marieon November 18, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Hi Lauren! My #1 tip for making this a more affordable hobby is to shop online. Avoid buying more than you need, but when you find something you like, take advantage of the better prices afforded by purchasing in bulk (within reason, of course!). Also, try to get as much as you can from one place; shipping can really ruin your savings! You might also try learning more about substitutions (read this and this) so you can make more things with fewer ingredients 🙂 Have fun!
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Perstephanieon August 25, 2016 at 5:31 pm
I’m reasonably certain the chili oil has capsaicin in it, and my husband is allergic. What’s your opinion on substituting the black pepper oil and maybe a little clove for it? I’m willing to experiment, I’m just curious if you have any knowledge of black pepper’s potential warming effects or impact on circulation. Also, where do you find information on your essential oils? Is there a book you recommend? Websites seem dodgy and full of conflicting information. I’m considering breaking down and taking a course in essential oil therapy in the near future to learn more about this.
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Marieon September 2, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Hey Persteph! It definitely does 🙂 Your swaps sound like a good idea, I’d be interested to hear how they turn out. I recall reading somewhere about a salve made with black pepper EO to help warm cold hands and fingers, so it probably does have good warming/circulation boosting properties.
I tend to piece together my research from experience, MSDS sheets, and many different sources (usually online). A reader recommend this one, but YIKES is it expensive.
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ALEXANDRIAon October 28, 2017 at 6:15 pm
If you were to make a spray for a responsible adult perhaps, what would that recipe look like?
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Marieon October 30, 2017 at 1:28 pm
It would look like pepper spray. Don’t do it!!! Can you imagine inhaling some or having it drift around and end up in your eyes, or landing on something and you not noticing it was there, touching it a few days later, and then rubbing your eyes?! ACCCCK. I’m cringing for you lol. Please don’t!
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MGMon January 14, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Just found this recipe and am contemplating making it…but given its name, I really want to add some Cade essential oil to make it SMELL like a fireplace, too! 🙂
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Marieon January 14, 2019 at 7:59 pm
You certainly could, but start with a toothpick swirl!
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