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When you’re looking for natural remedies for aches and pains, consider using aromatherapy to relieve pain. Lavender, Wintergreen, and Peppermint are the 3 best essential oils for pain relief.
I’ve been using these essential oils to relieve pain for several years now and I can say for certain that they do. Several studies have proven the pain-relieving properties of aromatherapy in general as well as individual oils.
The findings of this study on ‘The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain’ indicate that aromatherapy can successfully treat pain when combined with conventional treatments.
How Do Essential Oils Work To Relieve Pain?
Interestingly, whenever I suggest this option to family and friends, the first question I get asked is ‘Do essential oils really work to relieve pain?’ This is generally followed by ‘How do essential oils relieve pain?’
Essential oils are natural oils that are extracted through a special distillation process from various botanicals such as herbs, leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, and even the bark of some trees.
Each oil contains the characteristic components, properties, and fragrance of the plant from which it is extracted. Different oils have different healing properties.
Some oil extracts have powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, and anti-rheumatic properties. These are the best essential oils for pain relief. The best way to essential oils for pain relief is by direct topical application to the painful area.
As always, concentrated essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin. Pure essential oils are very strong and can cause severe skin irritation. Essential oils should always be diluted with a carrier oil before topical application. Scroll below for a more detailed explanation of how to apply essential oils to the skin.
Other essential oils work to relieve pain by soothing the mind and body. This helps to alleviate stress and tension that cause pain.
Best Essential Oils For Pain Relief
Pain can stem from many different causes.
• Muscle pain can occur as a result of working out, sports, and related injuries.
• Chronic conditions like arthritis, and other joint problems can cause joint pain, muscle aches, spasms, and inflammation
• Rheumatism can cause joint pain
• Bad posture can cause backache
• Stress can result in tension in the body that causes general body aches and pains
• Pain is also caused by headaches and/or migraines
• Women who have PMS and menstrual cramps suffer from abdominal pain
• Those who suffer from fibromyalgia experience pain in ways science does not yet fully understand
Pain in our muscles and joints can slow us down and make life difficult. This is regardless of whether the pain is caused because of regular wear and tear, an intense workout at the gym, or part of the aging process. Everyday activities become cumbersome and can severely impact quality of life.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Choose from one of these essential oils for pain relief so you can help relieve discomfort and minimize the impact of the pain on your life.
Best Essential Oils For Headaches & Joint Pain – Lavender
Lavender essential oil offers a fresh floral aroma with a hint of herbs. While best known for its ability to induce relaxation, this study shows that lavender also has powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. These properties make lavender the best essential oil for pain relief.
Lavender essential oil is particularly effective for soothing muscle pain and headaches. Topical application of lavender essential oil mixed with a carrier oil works very well to relieve muscle tension, joint pain, headaches, and spasms.
A placebo-controlled clinical trial found that inhaling lavender essential oil significantly reduced the severity of headaches. It is particularly effective for alleviating the symptoms of migraine headaches.
Lavender supports pain relief indirectly as well, by relieving stress and promoting calm.
Best Essential Oils for Headaches, Joint Pain & Sore Muscles – Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol, which gives the oil its powerful analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and antispasmodic properties. Peppermint is considered the best essential oil for joint and muscle pain.
Peppermint oil has an icy-hot that makes it simultaneously soothing yet stimulating. When applied directly to painful and sore joints and muscles, the oil acts as an invigorating but soothing pain reliever. Athletes use it to get immediate relief from sore and painful joints and muscles when they are training.
Peppermint can also be used to reduce the pain of migraines, headaches, digestive problems, and menstrual cramps.
Best Essential Oil For Flu-Related Aches & Pains – Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is rich in 1.8 cineole, an active compound that gives eucalyptus essential oil powerful anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
In addition to being the best essential oil for colds and clearing up sinus and lung congestion, eucalyptus essential oil is also great for alleviating pain and inflammation. It is particularly effective for soothing flu-related aches and pains.
Best Essential Oil For Severe Aches & Pains – Wintergreen
Extracted from the leaves of the wintergreen plant, wintergreen essential oil contains methyl salicylate, which is the pain-relieving ingredient in some over-the-counter pain medications. The ingredients in this oil make it very effective for soothing headaches, arthritis pain, and menstrual cramps.
As it is a very powerful essential oil, is best to save this oil for days when the pain is really bad. A topical application of 2.4% wintergreen oil with a carrier oil can help relieve the pain in that area.
Best Essential Oil For Menstrual Cramps & Spasms – Clary Sage
Clary sage essential oil is calming and soothing with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-spasmodic properties. this oil is rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, both of which are proven analgesics.
Clary Sage is the best essential oil for menstrual cramps and spasms. Studies have shown that massaging the lower abdomen daily with a blend of clary sage, lavender, and carrier oil helped reduce the intensity and frequency of menstrual cramps.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil contains 1,8-cineole, which gives the oil its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Several studies have shown that rosemary essential oil may be a good adjunct to other analgesic drugs.
An aromatherapy massage using rosemary oil and carrier oil is very effective for soothing rheumatoid arthritis pain. Rosemary is also effective for soothing headaches, as well as back, muscle, and joint pain.
Roman Chamomile
Well known for its relaxation and sleep-inducing properties, Roman chamomile essential oil also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is particularly effective for relieving pain from menstrual cramps because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Topical application of Roman chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil is also effective for relieving lower back pain, joint pain, migraines, and spasms.
Another benefit of Roman chamomile for pain is that its aroma induces calm and restful sleep, which can otherwise be difficult when you’re in pain.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood essential oil works as a sedative on the nervous system, and so it helps to relieve nerve pain and muscle spasms.
Clove
Extracted from the clove flower buds, clove essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. It is the best essential oil for tooth pain and is used in a wide range of pharmaceutical and dental products.
Clove oil also relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, which helps boost digestion, reduce digestion issues, and prevent intestinal spasms, bloating, and gas.
Use it in massage oil form diluted with a carrier oil as a topical application to relieve pain on any part of the body.
Read a detailed report on Clove Essential Oil Benefits, Uses & Precautions with special mention of using clove to relieve toothache.
You may also be interested in:
Best Essential Oils For Headaches & How To Use Them
Best Essential Oils For Hangovers
Best Essential Oils For Sore Muscles & How To Use Them
List of best essential oils for pain relief and how to use them safely
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.
