No matter whether it’s arthritis or muscle aches, essential oils may provide some relief. But it is essential that you know which ones are safe for your condition, as well as how best to dilute them before applying them topically.
Eucalyptus oil has a cooling effect, helping reduce muscle aches and inflammation. Research has even discovered it helps ease pain associated with knee replacement surgery.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint, the result of crossing spearmint with watermint, that thrives across Europe and North America. Its refreshing properties and ability to relieve pain make peppermint a welcome sight in either environment.
Essential oil of peppermint is an anti-inflammatory, providing relief for muscle aches and spasms as well as joint pain associated with arthritis or fibromyalgia. Furthermore, its antispasmodic effects relax intestinal spasms to alleviate irritable bowel syndrome discomfort.
Essential oil of lavender has long been recognized for its effectiveness at relieving tension headaches and migraines, while studies have confirmed its ability to improve circulation, soothe gut issues and relax tense muscles.
To use this natural remedy, combine several drops of peppermint oil with one teaspoon of an organic carrier oil such as coconut, olive or almond. Apply it topically several times each day at the area in question.
Peppermint oil has long been used to soothe sore throats caused by allergies or sinus issues, offering comforting relief with its soothing fragrance and ability to open nasal passages – alleviating discomfort while opening up sinus passages for increased breathing capacity and decreasing inflammation and pain levels.
Finally, essential oil can serve as an all-natural insect repellent to keep unwanted bugs at bay. Simply rub a few drops onto cotton swabs and place them strategically around your home – in corners such as bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms or anywhere you suspect pests might lurk – until any bugs disappear!
As with all natural products, it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider prior to using any essential oil, and perform a patch test on yourself first. Since essential oils are unregulated by the FDA and may contain contaminants or be inferior in quality than expected, it’s crucial that you do your own research prior to making any purchases.
Lavender
One of the strongest essential oils available to alleviate pain is lavender. Used as a natural analgesic, lavender can treat headaches, muscle ache and menstrual cramping while simultaneously helping relieve stress and improve sleep quality.
Lavender oil is produced by extracting its fragrant flowers through steam distillation; flowers are steamed while their essential oil is collected through steam distillation and this results in high quality essential oil production.
Ointment can help soothe irritated skin, insect bites and poison ivy symptoms. Apply it twice daily to affected areas to reduce inflammation and discomfort while massaging into painful joints to reduce swelling.
Add lavender to a bath or shower gel for an aromatic bath experience, or spray some on linen for aromatherapy at bedtime.
Additionally, turmeric acts as a strong antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, providing relief for headaches, migraines and chronic neck pain.
Lavender oil can also be mixed with other pain-relieving oils to maximize their effectiveness at relieving pain, such as adding Bergamot or Peppermint oils for additional pain relief. This way, lavender becomes even more effective at relieving discomfort.
If you suffer from headaches, lavender essential oil applied directly to the temples may help calm both mind and body and relieve tension. It may also be applied at the back of your neck or wherever else a headache appears to ease symptoms quickly.
Mix it with a carrier oil, rub it onto your skin, and use for massage (always diluting beforehand). You may also try making tea tree essential oil lotion.
Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil is an excellent natural pain reliever, well-known for its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. A popular ingredient in aromatherapy, it can be used to alleviate stress, anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, abdominal cramps and abdominal discomfort. Plus its sweet scent can uplift moods.
Creams such as Arnica can be applied topically or added to warm bathwater to relieve sore muscles and joints, or diffused to create an atmosphere of relaxation and calm the mind.
German Chamomile oil stands out as one of the most effective chamomile oils due to its high concentration of Azulene, an anti-inflammatory compound responsible for giving it its deep blue hue and making it highly emollient while helping alleviate skin dryness.
Essential oil has several valuable applications; one such being as a mild diuretic, cleansing kidneys and blood by inducing greater urination and sweating to remove excess water and salt from the body thereby normalizing physiological systems and avoiding unwanted medical conditions.
Chamomile is widely recognized for its ability to prevent Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers. Furthermore, it can help reduce smooth muscle spasms in the intestines that contribute to healing intestinal damage caused by certain inflammatory disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or diverticular disease.
Chamomile can be most effectively utilized by adding it to your daily bathtime ritual. Simply mix a few drops of its oil into some warm water in a tub and soak for 15 minutes – an effective and relaxing way of using this healing herb!
Roman chamomile is one of the most commonly used aromatherapy oils, making it a widely preferred choice. Its mild nature makes it suitable for most users; however, there may be an individual risk of allergic reaction; so for your own safety perform a spot test by applying several drops to either wrist or forearm and watching for any changes in response.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil, extracted from eucalyptus plants, is commonly used in over-the-counter medicines to treat coughs, colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma and respiratory congestion. Furthermore, it helps boost immune systems while offering antioxidant protection to the body.
As with peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil can also provide relief for muscle pain and stiffness. It contains the compound A-Pinene which has been proven to decrease inflammation and swelling within muscles as well as 1,8-cineole which scavenges free radicals while helping prevent reactions that cause discomfort.
Linalool, another key component of eucalyptus oil, has been discovered to possess myorelaxant properties that can help relax muscles. Furthermore, inhaling this aromatic essential can reduce anxiety while simultaneously improving relaxation and mental clarity.
As with any essential oil, it’s wise to dilute eucalyptus oil prior to applying or intaking it directly. Consumption in large amounts can be toxic; thus ensure its safe usage by diluting it well beforehand.
Eucalyptus oil creates a cooling sensation when applied topically, helping soothe muscle pain. Numerous studies have confirmed this essential oil can provide fast relief following injury or surgery.
Honey has also proven itself an effective repellent against ants and other pests, serving as a natural alternative to chemical-based pesticides – adding some honey-infused DIY sprays can keep insects out of your home!
Eucalyptus oil can be an effective natural pain reliever. With powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, its use is appropriate for many injuries such as arthritis, rheumatism and backaches.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen oil is an effective essential oil for pain that can soothe muscles and ease joint and muscle aches, both as a topical treatment and inhaled directly for more intense cases. Furthermore, its antibacterial and antifungal properties help heal infections or blemishes on skin while also acting as preventive measure against further outbreaks of infection or skin inflammation.
American Wintergreen Plant (Gaultherin procumbens) produces dark green leaves with sweet and minty aroma, and contains methyl salicylate which provides its strong anti-pain benefits.
Natural anti-inflammatory oils such as arnica are often prescribed to those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. Furthermore, this natural oil can also provide comfort from sports activities-induced contusions or muscular strains that result from trauma.
Applying this essential oil topically can relieve muscle and joint pain while increasing circulation. Use it in the bath for an invigorating soak or mix it with carrier oil for massage into affected areas.
Natural anti-inflammatories like arnica montana help reduce swelling and bloating caused by acne or other skin issues, and can also be added to face washes to clear up breakouts and lessen redness.
Wintergreen may provide strong pain-relief properties, yet should only be used sparingly on sensitive skin. Since it could potentially cause allergic reactions in some individuals, a patch test should always be performed before applying wintergreen over large areas of your body.
As it can cause mild irritation to eyes, noses, pets and babies it should be used with caution and only used in small amounts under supervision from health care professionals. Its use should also not exceed that recommended in product labels or advertising campaigns.
