Skip to Content
I may earn a commission if you click on links in this post and make a purchase.

Make Birch Leaf Oil for Sore Muscles

Use birch leaves to make a DIY massage oil to bring relief to sore muscles.

This is a simple project that is fairly hands-off while also providing big rewards for you and anyone else with sore muscles needing a massage.

A glass canning jar full of oil and birch leaves topped with cheesecloth secured with a rubberband sitting next to fresh birch leaves on a table with text overlay reading easy diy birch leaf oil.

A Spring Project for Year Round Relief

This is a super easy process and should be done in the late spring and summer months to take advantage of the birch tree’s medicinal benefits. The leaves are likely to have less of their healing powers in the fall as they prepare to be shed from the tree for winter, so harvest early and make a big batch to last the year.

Choose the best looking leaves, skip the ones that are brown, diseased, or infested with insects.

Why Birch?

Birch leaves contain anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties which is why it’s so helpful to use on those sore muscles.  They also help detoxify the blood (they make a great tea too) and body, and are often used in commercial products to help with cellulite in the body.  Cellulite isn’t something I worry about personally but those sore leg muscles after a training run most definitely have my attention.

Making birch leaf oil for sore muscle relief is a quick and easy process that provides great results.

Using Birch Leaf Oil

The great thing about this medicine is that it requires no other preparation.  Simply massage the infused oil into sore muscles as needed and allow the body to rest a bit and recover.

Alternatively, you can make the oil into a healing salve by melting some beeswax into it for a more solid and soothing form.

Before the leaves need raking and the snow flies, collect some birch leaves and infuse some oil for all those sore muscles that are bound to come from work and play later.

Yield: 1 Pint

Birch Leaf Infused Oil

A glass canning jar full of oil and birch leaves topped with cheesecloth secured with a rubberband sitting next to fresh birch leaves on a table.

Make this simple infused DIY massage oil for your sore muscles.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Infusing Time 1 month
Total Time 1 month 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5.00

Materials

  • 6 Ounces Olive Oil
  • Pint of Birch Leaves

Tools

Instructions

  1. Wash leaves and spin dry through a salad spinner.
  2. Spread leaves out on a towel and let sit overnight to wilt slightly.
  3. In the morning, pack the leaves into the pint jar.
  4. Fill the jar with olive oil, leaving about 2" of headspace at the top of the jar.
  5. Remove any air bubbles and make sure the leaves are submerged under the oil.
  6. Cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band.
  7. Let oil sit in a sunny window for up to a month. Make sure to check it now and then and make sure leaves stay submerged.
  8. Strain the leaves from the oil and put the strained oil into a clean bottle and label.
  9. Store the infused oil in a dark cabinet.

Notes

All oils go rancid, use up within a year.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Sharing is caring!

Brenda

Saturday 11th of June 2022

I’m wondering if it would be possible, while still resulting in the same benefits, to use a slow cooker on low overnight instead of sitting the jar out for a month?

Kathie Lapcevic

Monday 13th of June 2022

Look up the double boiler method for infusing herbs - it's quicker.

Gloria

Thursday 26th of August 2021

Thanks for this tip! I've been searching for sweet birch essential oil to replenish my supply but can no longer find it. Sweet birch essential oil is awesome for muscular aches and pains. I add it and clove essential oil to my cannabis/St. John's Wort salve. I suspect a double infusion of birch leaf oil will be a good substitute!

Terri

Wednesday 25th of August 2021

Sorry, my computer is slow and I was too impatient to wait for it. I found my answer in the comments below. Thank you!

Terri

Wednesday 25th of August 2021

Can I use ANY Birch leaves? I have Royal Frost White Birch. (Small burgundy leaves)

Sewell Colby

Sunday 30th of May 2021

I have used this tincture for a few years for arthritic knees. Works for in ways beyond my expectations, none, to very little discomfort now. I make new every year, give some to friends and family. 95% success rating.

Skip to Instructions