Aromatherapy

11 Essential Oils for Pain Relief You Must Try

If you are looking for natural remedies for pain, then essential oils may be just what you need. The use of essential oils for pain is not new; it has been there since ancient times, and studies have proven that their use can be effective in reducing pain.

Medical conditions, injuries, and strenuous workouts can all cause pain. Due to the natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, many people turn to essential oils for pain relief instead of popping over-the-counter or prescription pills that do more harm than good. This article will discuss different essential oils for pain relief and how to use them safely.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated extracts of various potentially beneficial plants. The oils capture the plant’s scent and essence. Most often, these oils contain a much stronger smell than the plants they come from because a tremendous amount of plant material is used to make them.

Essential oils may be drawn from flowers, leaves, roots, stems, or fruits through distillation, cold pressing, or other mechanical methods. Clinical research has shown that some of the essential oils can alleviate various ailments in the body, including pain.

11 Essential Oils for Pain Relief 

Physical pain is experienced because of a physical injury or trauma, and emotional trauma from fatigue, stress, and anxiety. Many different essential oils have been used for physical and mental wellness, including pain relief. But the main question that arises in the minds of several people is - What is the strongest essential oil for pain? Among oils commonly used for pain relief, several are considered to be strong contenders. Here are some popular essential oils for muscle pain:

1. Lavender Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular oils, and a study found that inhaling lavender oil can relieve migraine pain. Lavender oil is best known for its anti-inflammatory, pain-reducing, and stress-relieving properties. Use the oil in a warm bath to help with sore muscle or joint pain.

2. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is one of Mother Nature’s most powerful painkillers, which has been used since ancient times. Peppermint oil is one of the best essential oils for pain and inflammation. It contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on sore, achy muscles. The oil is very useful for headaches and migraines.

3. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil comes from the leaves and bark of the eucalyptus tree. Eucalyptus oil possesses excellent anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it the perfect essential oil for pain relief, muscle injuries, and sinus congestion. The oil creates a cooling effect when applied to the skin, which can help reduce the sensation of muscle soreness and pain. Eucalyptus oil treats injured muscle tissue, joint pain, arthritis, headaches, sinus pain, insect stings and bites, and post-surgery pain.

4. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary essential oil is often used to treat headaches, tension, muscle aches, and joint pain. Rosemary oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-spasmodic properties. When rosemary oil is applied topically, it reduces soreness and rheumatism. Besides that, the oil may improve blood circulation, further enhancing recovery from pain. A combination of lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil has shown great results in easing muscular strain and tension.

5. Bergamot Oil

Bergamot essential oil is drawn from the bergamot citrus fruit. Bergamot oil is often used in aromatherapy to treat neuropathic pain caused by chronic nerve disease. This type of pain is often resistant to opioids.

6. Ginger Oil

Ginger essential oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory benefits and helps treat the pain resulting from autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. For centuries, ginger oil has been prescribed by traditional medicine practitioners for arthritis, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps. Ginger oil is most effective as a massage oil. When applied topically, the oil helps relieve joint pain, ease tense and stiff muscles, and improve overall physical function.

7. Chamomile Oil

There are two types of chamomile essential oils: Roman chamomile oil and German chamomile oil. Both have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties to treat pain from damaged nerves, inflammation, and sore muscles and joints. However, Roman chamomile oil may work best to relax muscles, while the German chamomile oil variety may fight inflammation.

8. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and carminative properties to treat the pain of various ailments and disorders. Frankincense oil targets tense muscles to treat joint pain, menstrual pain, abdominal pain, chest pain, sinus pain, and nerve pain.

9. Clary Sage Oil

Clary sage essential oil has analgesic and muscle-relaxing properties that can help combat pain in different parts of the body. The oil treats stress-induced headaches, abdominal spasms, and cramps during menopause and menstruation. A 2012 study found that an essential oil massage containing clary sage oil and other essential oils to the lower abdomen significantly reduced the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea (painful periods) in patients.

10. Clove Oil

Clove essential oil is often used to relieve toothache. Mix a drop of clove oil with a small dab of coconut oil and apply it to the affected tooth and gum. A gargle with a drop of clove oil with warm water can soothe throat pain. The oil is also found to be beneficial for joint and muscle pain.

11. Lemon Grass Oil

Lemongrass essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties, making it one of the best essential oils for pain and inflammation. The oil is used for headaches, stomach problems, and other health issues that might cause pain. A study shows a group of people with rheumatoid arthritis had significantly reduced pain after using lemongrass oil for 30 days.

How to use Essential Oils for Muscle Pain?

Before you use an essential oil for pain:

• Dilute your oil: The essential oils are high in potency in their purest form and must be diluted with carrier oil before application. Carrier oils include coconut, olive, almond, argan, jojoba, and more. A general rule of thumb is to mix at least six teaspoons of carrier oil for every 15 drops of essential oil.
• Patch test: Mix 3-5 drops of the essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil and apply to unbroken skin on your forearm. If there is no adverse reaction in 24 to 48 hours, it is safe to use.

Methods of Using Essential Oils for Inflammation

• Topical application: You can buy pre-packaged roll-on bottles containing your essential oil or prepare your own diluted oils and fill them in empty roller bottles. Apply to the painful area as and when required.
• Massage: If the topical application is not enough, rub the oils into your skin wherever you feel pain. Massage therapy equipment can help oils penetrate deep below the skin to relieve pain, swelling, and tension and help loosen up muscles. You can opt for self-massage or book a professional massage using essential oils.
• Inhalation: Put a few drops of essential oil into a diffuser (a device that releases essential oil mist into the air) and inhale the steam in a closed room. If you do not have a diffuser, take a bowl of hot water, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil, and inhale the steam. No carrier oil is required for this method.
• Hot bath: You can take a hot bath with essential oils. Add diluted essential oil to your bathtub. Sitting in the bath will allow the oil to enter your body through your skin, relieving pain.

Cold or Warm Compress

Compresses are known to relieve pain and swelling. You can enhance these effects by adding diluted essential oil.

Safety tips while using Aromatherapy Oils - 

• Always dilute essential oils before topical application to avoid skin irritation and other side effects.
• You should perform a skin patch test before the first application to test for any potential allergic reactions.
• These oils should only be used topically or inhaled through a diffuser. You should never ingest them orally.
• Aromatherapy oils should not be used without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an existing medical condition or wish to use them on children and older adults.
• Do not apply to sensitive areas, such as around your eyes or on open wounds.

It is evident that aromatherapy oils can effectively reduce pain. You can use a single oil or blend different oils to create a unique scent to help relieve muscle soreness and inflammation.

The next time you experience muscle soreness, try one of these essential oils instead.

Remember, it is always a good idea to talk to your medical provider to ensure what is the strongest essential oil for pain and which one is right for you.

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