Liniments have long been a staple in my homemade first aid kit, and now that summer is in full swing, I’ve needed them more often as I spend more time outdoors. I love to experiment with different herbs and formulas, but I haven’t tried making a liniment using essential oils.

A liniment is a pain-relieving liquid traditionally made by infusing healing herbs in alcohol. They are applied using a cotton ball or similar to the skin to soothe aches and pains. A liniment can also be used on bruises, acne, and insect bites.

They’re really quite handy, and I often prefer liniments over salves or oils because they don’t leave any greasy residue behind. This is due to their quick absorption and drying action.

What is the Jethro Kloss Herbal Liniment and How to Make a Liniment Using Essential Oils

Jethro Loss was one of the most famous herbalists of the 19th century. Born in 1863, Kloss was raised on a self-sustaining farm in Northern Wisconsin. From a young age, Kloss believed that health came from the Earth. That fact was driven home when he moved away from home, became deathly ill, and sought the care of many physicians without improvement. It was only after he returned to using natural remedies that his health was restored.

Throughout his life, he shared his beliefs about natural remedies and healthy food and compiled a book filled with over 40 years of his experience using herbs and nutritious food to support health.

It is in this book that the Jethro Kloss Liniment Recipe comes from, though a bit tweaked to use essential oils instead of herbs.

I LOVE the herbal version and highly recommend having it on hand.

This version I’m about to share uses rubbing alcohol and essential oils instead of herbs, but it still works splendidly!

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• A 2oz glass bottle
• Rubbing alcohol (this is what causes the liniment to absorb very quickly)
• 18 drops German chamomile essential oil
• 12 drops myrrh essential oil
• 1 drop of chili seed essential oil

This will give you a 2.5% dilution.

Loving Preparation – Essential Oil Liniment Recipe

1. Add each essential oil to the 2oz glass bottle.
2. Next, fill it to the shoulder with rubbing alcohol.
3. Shake well before use.

To Use

For aches and pains, shake the liniment well, then use a cotton ball or similar to swipe it over the affected area. Wash your hands well when you’re done to remove any possible essential oils (especially the chili seed!).

Be sure that if you’re using a spray top, you completely cover the spray orifice with the cotton ball, or you may get the liniment on sensitive areas! This will NOT feel good, so be very careful.

You can add peppermint, wintergreen, birch, lavender, and other essential oils to personalize your liniment to suit your needs!

This liniment is super quick and easy to make, even faster than my beloved herbal version. I hope you give it a try!

Have you ever used essential oils instead of herbs for making liniments? Please share in the comments below!

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Essential Oils for Pain Relief
Essential Oils for Inflammation
20 Ways to Reduce Post Workout Muscles Soreness, Aches, and Pains
Herbs for Back Pain Relief