Arnica and Coconut Oil Ointment to Treat Lower Back Pain

Although arnica is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil can also help when trying to relieve lower back pain.
Arnica and Coconut Oil Ointment to Treat Lower Back Pain
Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas

Written and verified by the doctor Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas.

Last update: 27 May, 2022

Would you like to treat lower back pain naturally?

Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, is an uncomfortable pain in the lower back. Normally, the intense pain is accompanied by inflammation. The most common cause is the deterioration of the muscles caused by aging.

In this article, we’ll share a cheap and easy ointment that you can make to treat lower back pain.

What is Lower Back Pain?

Both women and man can suffer from this pain, and it often appears between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. It’s a pain located around kidney height and is one of the most common reasons for visiting the doctor and absence from work.

The main causes for this pain are a slipped disc or degeneration of the vertebrae, which gets worse with age.

The older we get, the weaker our bones,the less agile we are, and the weaker our muscles get. At the same time, the  spinal discs lose fluid and flexibility and aren’t so well-protected.

What are the Causes of Lower Back Pain?

Lumbago has many different causes that are often related to age.

Muscle weakening is one common cause. Sometimes, making a strenuous effort to lift a heavy object can cause the muscles to stretch, and this can cause problems lifting things or even walking.

Woman with lower back pain, treat lower back pain

Other conditions can, in turn, also cause lower back pain:

  • Sciatica, which manifests itself as a strong pain in the leg, can cause lower back pain.
  • Spondylolisthesis, which is where a vertebra becomes displaced in the lower part of the back. This can cause instability and compromise the nerves.
  • Osteoarthritis in the lower back, where the spinal discs wear. This causes inflammation as well as a lack of stability in the lower back. This condition causes pain, inflammation and discomfort in the lower back. It can even cause sciatica in many cases.
  • Other common causes are fractures in the spinal cord, osteoporosis, spinal cancer, a slipped disc, kidney infections, kidney stones, problems with a woman’s reproductive organs, or problems relating to pregnancy.

Luckily, ointments can be very effective to treat lower back pain naturally.

Arnica and Coconut Oil Ointment to Treat Lower Back Pain

Arnica

This ingredient has analgesic properties that soothe pain caused by sprains or other muscle injuries. It’s also an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce the swelling caused by injuries thanks to a compound known as Helenalin.

Because of its antimicrobial properties, it can soothe irritation when applied to the skin.

Bottles of arnica oil to treat lower back pain

Arnica also has the ability to stimulate blood circulation. This helps treat bruises and reduces the chance of them occurring.

Coconut Oil

The saturated fats in coconut oil are absorbed very easily by the body.

The make-up of coconut oil includes lauric acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. It also contains iron and vitamins E and K which make it a fantastic ingredient for your health.

Furthermore, it’s antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It even stimulates the immune system and is used as a muscle relaxant.

Combining the properties of arnica and coconut oil turns out to be a cheap and easy natural solution to treat lower back pain. Adding a little beeswax will give it some consistency and help in its application.

Ointment Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons of beeswax (45 g)
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (15 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons of arnica oil (30 ml)

How to Make It

  • Heat the beeswax in a Bain Marie.
  • When it has melted, put it over a low heat and add the arnica and coconut oils.
  • Stir everything, turn off the heat, and leave it to cool.
  • Apply to the affected area twice a day.

If you start to notice lower back pain, it’s better to attend to it before it gets worse. As we mentioned, the causes can be many, but for each one there is a specific treatment.

While you wait to receive the right treatment for you, you can use this ointment to soothe the pain. It works really quickly, and is safe and natural.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • M. ANTONIA DÍEZ GARCÍA, IZASKUN BEIKA MENTXACA, JUAN LUIS HERRERO ERQUÍÑIGO. Lumbalgia y ciática. Farmacia profesional. Vol. 17. Núm. 9. páginas 66-74 (Octubre 2003). 
  • Mariani, E & Oriani, G & Donarini, C & Guerrerio, T & Landoni, G & Grampella, D & Portalupi, Emanuela. (2009). Anthroposophical injectable Arnica montana extract in acute low back pain : A prospective study. European Journal of Integrative Medicine. 1. 239-240. 10.1016/j.eujim.2009.08.033.
  • del Puerto Horta, Myrna & Casas Insua, Leivis & Cañete Villafranca, Roberto. (2013). Usos más frecuentes de Arnica montana. Revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales. 18. 315-326.
  • Waizel-Bucay J; Cruz-Juárez, M. Arnica montana L, planta medicinal europea con relevancia. [Documento en línea] Pp. 98- 109.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.