What is the best butter for pain relief?

October 16, 2025 •

5 min read

Specific plant-based and infused butters offer potential therapeutic benefits for pain relief. Understanding which type to use—like topical kombo or infused CBD butter—is key to soothing muscles and joints naturally. The best butter for pain relief depends on the source, application, and additional anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Quick Summary

This guide explores various natural butters with pain-relieving properties, focusing on potent plant-based options like kombo, shea, and CBD-infused formulas. It covers how these butters can be applied topically to reduce inflammation, soothe sore muscles, and support joint health, detailing their unique benefits and uses.

Key Points

Kombo Butter is Potent for Joint Pain: Rich in myristoleic acid, kombo butter is a superior topical anti-inflammatory for arthritis and muscle soreness.
Topical CBD Butter Targets Localized Discomfort: Infused CBD butter is effective for specific, localized pain by interacting directly with receptors in the skin.
Shea Butter is an Ideal Carrier for Pain Relief Blends: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and smooth consistency, shea butter is a perfect base for creating custom balms and salves.
Ghee Can Reduce Systemic Inflammation When Consumed: The butyrate and Omega-3s in ghee offer internal anti-inflammatory benefits for managing joint pain.
Never Use Dairy Butter on Burns: Contrary to old folk remedies, butter can trap heat and cause infection on burns, which should only be treated with cool running water.
Combining Butters and Herbs Enhances Efficacy: Blending plant-based butters with therapeutic ingredients like essential oils or turmeric can create more powerful, customized pain relief products.

Exploring the Landscape of Butters for Natural Pain Relief

For centuries, various cultures have utilized the soothing properties of natural fats and plant-based extracts to address pain and inflammation. While the common dairy butter found in most kitchens is not suitable for this purpose, certain specialized butters and infused variants have gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits. The key to harnessing these properties lies in selecting the right type, application method, and complementary ingredients for specific pain points.

Kombo Butter: The Powerful Pain Reliever from West Africa

Kombo butter is a powerful, yet lesser-known, natural remedy derived from the seeds of the African nutmeg tree (Pycnanthus angolensis). It is highly regarded for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it a top contender for topical pain relief.

Composition and Benefits:

Myristoleic Acid: This unique fatty acid is known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects, particularly for soothing aching muscles and joints.
Antioxidants: Kombo butter contains phytochemicals that offer antioxidant protection, helping to reduce cellular damage.
Easy Absorption: Its texture is often described as slightly grainy, but it melts quickly on contact with the skin, allowing for effective absorption.

Kombo butter is best used for targeted relief on areas affected by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, muscle soreness, and joint stiffness. Its dark brown color and rich consistency can be used alone or blended with other butters and oils to create balms and salves.

Shea Butter: A Versatile Base for Anti-Inflammatory Blends

Shea butter, extracted from the nuts of the shea tree, is widely known for its moisturizing capabilities. Beyond skincare, it has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Pain-Relieving Qualities:

Anti-inflammatory: Shea butter contains lupeol and cinnamic acid, which are known to help soothe inflammation and skin conditions like dermatitis.
Joint and Muscle Balm: Its emollient properties make it an excellent base for creating balms for chronic pain and stiffness, penetrating deep into muscles and joints.
Carrier for Essential Oils: Shea butter blends seamlessly with therapeutic essential oils like rosemary, black pepper, or ginger to create warming or cooling pain relief rubs.

CBD-Infused Butters: Harnessing the Power of Cannabidiol

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound from the hemp plant that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system to help regulate pain and inflammation. When infused into a butter base, it creates a powerful topical treatment for targeted relief.

Benefits of CBD Butter:

Targeted Relief: Applying CBD butter topically allows the cannabidiol to interact directly with localized cannabinoid receptors in the skin, providing specific pain relief without systemic effects.
Reduces Nerve Signals: CBD has analgesic properties that can help reduce nerve pain signals, which is beneficial for conditions like arthritis and nerve damage.
Enhanced by Blending: CBD-infused butters are often combined with other soothing ingredients like menthol, camphor, or shea butter to increase their effectiveness.

Ghee: A Traditional Ayurvedic Approach to Inflammation

As a clarified butter, ghee has long been used in Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory effects when consumed internally. It is rich in butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that can help calm inflammation throughout the body, including in the gut.

Properties for Pain Relief:

Oral Consumption: A teaspoon of ghee in warm water can help reduce systemic inflammation, addressing a root cause of joint pain.
Topical Application: Warm ghee can be massaged onto joints and muscles to reduce stiffness and dryness. A recent study found that sheep ghee reduced pain and improved physical function in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis when applied topically.
Carrier for Herbs: In Ayurveda, ghee is a carrier substance used to transport nutrients and herbs deeper into the body's tissues.

Comparison Table: Butters for Pain Relief


Feature	Kombo Butter	Shea Butter	CBD-Infused Butter	Ghee (Topical/Oral)
Primary Use	Topical joint and muscle pain	Topical massage and balms	Topical localized pain	Internal & topical anti-inflammatory
Key Active Component	Myristoleic acid	Lupeol, cinnamic acid	Cannabidiol (CBD)	Butyrate, Omega-3s
Anti-Inflammatory	High potency	Moderate	High potency	Moderate (Internal), Localized (Topical)
Best For	Targeted relief of persistent aches and arthritis	Blending with essential oils for massage and general soothing	Specific areas of soreness, nerve pain	Systemic inflammation and joint stiffness
Drawbacks	Can stain clothing, potential skin reaction	Lower potency on its own for deep pain	Legality varies, research is ongoing	Can be greasy for topical use, potential for weight gain with excessive intake
DIY Recipes	Whipped Kombo & Shea	Whipped Body Butter	Infused from CBD flower or isolate	Golden Milk, massage oil

Combining butters for enhanced relief

For a more potent and customizable pain relief experience, combining different butters and active ingredients is an effective strategy. A popular DIY method involves creating a whipped body butter that combines shea butter with kombo butter for deep, long-lasting relief. You can also infuse CBD into a shea butter and coconut oil base for a soothing topical that benefits both skin and sore muscles. When creating your own infused butter, remember that ingredients like turmeric and black pepper are crucial for maximizing curcumin absorption, making them ideal additions for oral consumption.

Important Considerations

Before using any new product for pain relief, it is essential to consider safety and proper use. Topical butters, whether infused or not, should first be patch-tested on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions. Avoid applying any buttery or oily product to burns, as it can trap heat and increase the risk of infection. For oral consumption, starting with small doses and consulting a healthcare professional is advisable, especially for pregnant or nursing individuals or those on other medications. While natural, these remedies are not replacements for medical treatment and should be used as complementary therapies. For a deeper understanding of turmeric's anti-inflammatory pathways, an exploration of its active components can be found here.

Conclusion

While regular dairy butter offers no therapeutic value for pain relief, specific plant-based and infused butters can be highly effective for managing inflammation and soothing discomfort. Kombo butter stands out for its unique anti-inflammatory properties, while shea butter is an excellent, gentle base for topical applications. For targeted, localized pain, CBD-infused butters interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to provide relief. Ayurvedic tradition offers ghee for both internal anti-inflammatory benefits and topical massage. The best option ultimately depends on the type of pain and the user’s preference for a topical or dietary approach, often enhanced by blending or infusing with other potent herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, regular dairy butter is not recommended for pain relief. While some sources reference potential anti-inflammatory properties from certain fatty acids found in butter, topical application is unproven and potentially harmful, especially on burns where it traps heat and risks infection.

For targeted pain relief, massage a small amount of kombo butter directly into the affected muscles or joints until absorbed. It can also be melted and blended with other carrier oils or butters, like shea butter, to make a smoother salve.

Topical CBD butter is applied directly to the skin for targeted, localized relief, meaning it primarily affects the area where it's applied without entering the bloodstream. Oral CBD, such as oil or capsules, is ingested and has a systemic, full-body effect.

Ghee, particularly A2 cow ghee, can be consumed to help reduce internal, systemic inflammation due to its butyrate content. It can also be warmed and massaged topically onto joints to help lubricate and reduce stiffness.

Yes, turmeric, when properly prepared and infused into a fatty base like ghee or coconut oil, can be a potent anti-inflammatory remedy. For oral consumption, adding black pepper significantly boosts the absorption of its active compound, curcumin.

Always perform a patch test before widespread use. Apply a very small amount of the butter to a discreet area of skin, such as your inner arm, and wait at least 24 hours to check for any redness, itching, or irritation.

Potential side effects vary by butter. Some people may experience allergic skin reactions, particularly with potent ingredients like kombo butter or CBD. Over-consumption of ghee can lead to weight gain. Consult a healthcare provider for guidance, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on other medications.