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Using essential oils for arthritis is a gentle and safe way to reduce the debilitating pain that is associated with this condition.
If you have arthritis, you know how frustrating it can be. The pain can keep you from completing normal activities and leave you increasingly more dependent on others to help you complete simple everyday tasks.
In addition to consulting with your doctor regularly to manage the condition, it is also a good idea to try some natural remedies at home.
Using essential oils for arthritis is generally safe and does not have any adverse effects. However, before embarking on any alternative course of medication, you must get an okay from your doctor.
How Essential Oils Work to Relieve Arthritic Pain
Essential oils are natural extracts from plant parts. The extracts from some plants such as rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, and ginger contain ingredients that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. These substances work very well to reduce the inflammation and swelling brought on by arthritis.
Essential oils and their components are rapidly absorbed through the skin. When the oil is applied or massaged into the skin at the site of the pain, it gets absorbed into the skin, providing a natural, anti-inflammatory agent directly to the site of the inflammation.
You should know that essential oils might not be able to cure your arthritis, but they help to manage the painful symptoms.
A look at the most effective essential oils for arthritis and how they work.
1. Rosemary Essential Oil
A soothing oil with a light floral scent, rosemary is one of the best essential oils for promoting better circulation. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties that are very effective at reducing arthritis-related inflammation and swelling in the joints.
Rosemary is also an excellent pain reliever, which is another great reason to use it for arthritis.
How to use rosemary essential oil for arthritis
For arthritic relief, blend 1-2 drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil like jojoba oil and rub the blend directly onto your joints.
2 Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is a versatile essential oil that can be used to treat a wide range of ailments. It is commonly used to relieve body pain and calm inflammation.
Like rosemary oil, Peppermint oil too has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it very effective for reducing the inflammation that is causing the joint pain.
How to use peppermint essential oil for arthritis
Blend 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massage the blend gently at the site of the pain.
3. Turmeric Essential Oil
Curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that is especially helpful at managing the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
In many cultures, turmeric is used to flavor foods to keep rheumatoid arthritis at bay. Recent studies suggest that regular consumption of turmeric works amazingly well to impede the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
How to use turmeric essential oil for arthritis – Adding 1 – 2 drops of turmeric essential oil into your tea is very effective for soothing arthritic inflammation and pain. Putting a few drops into your food will also give you its pain-relieving benefits.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The distinctive smell of eucalyptus is caused by its high concentration of Eucalyptol. Researchers looking for a way to reduce arthritis inflammation were fascinated to find that Eucalyptol has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on swollen joints.
Eucalyptus oil also has antimicrobial properties that help kill organisms that slow down the healing process.
How to use eucalyptus essential oil for arthritis
Mix one or two drops of Eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier such as coconut oil. Massage this mixture directly at the site of the pain.
5. Frankincense Essential Oil
Arthritis pain is primarily due to inflammation of the joints. During flare-ups, the pain can be excruciating.
Frankincense essential oil is very effective for helping with ailments that are worsened by irritation and inflammation, such as with arthritis.
In addition to reducing the overall inflammation, frankincense helps to break down of cartilage tissue, reducing the severity of the symptoms.
How to use frankincense essential oil for arthritis
Massage a few drops of frankincense oil mixed with a carrier oil directly at the site of the pain for immediate relief.
6. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger essential oil contains chemicals that have strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the site of the pain, these chemicals are directly absorbed into the skin from where they interact with the painful joint, reducing the inflammation, lessening the pain and increasing flexibility of the joint.
How to use ginger essential oil for arthritis
Massage a few drops of ginger oil into your site directly at the site of the inflammation for immediate relief from pain and increased flexibility.
Things to Consider When Using Essential Oils for Arthritis
When you are using essential oil for arthritis, applying it directly to the skin is usually the better option as it offers the fastest results. As with applying any other essential oil directly onto your skin, make sure you observe all precautions:
- Always blend a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil before topical application
- Do a patch test over a small area before applying over a larger area
- Check the label on the bottle and use the recommended carrier oil
You can also get relief from arthritis pain by adding a few drops of any of the above essential oils to a warm bath and soaking in it for at least 30 minutes. When adding the oils to your bath, you do not need to use a carrier oil.
Arthritis pain can be debilitating but there are things you can do to relieve the pain. Buy any one of the above mentioned essential oils for arthritis so you can manage the pain and continue to enjoy doing the things you love.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
