What essential oils are good for muscle pain? LOTS! That's great news because it gives you many options. Read about the top oils for pain and how to use these oils in DIY recipes to use at home.
Essential oils are a form of concentrated plant material that can be used to boost your health and wellness. These natural oils have many different benefits for both the body and mind. And, essential oils can also be used for several medicinal purposes. The benefits you receive from essential oils depend on the type of oil you use.
What is The Science Behind Essential Oils For Muscle Pain?
Various studies on essential oils and their benefits have been published over the last decade. In studying the general uses of essential oils, scientists have found that aromatic and topical use of essential oils can help reduce pain in the body.
Some studies have even found that specific essential oils can in fact reduce muscle pain. I’ll get into this in the next section of the article though.
However, specific studies dedicated to muscle pain and essential oils are not as numerous. Still, there is plenty of evidence that suggests that essential oils are helpful for muscle discomfort and pain reduction!
What Essential Oils Are Good For Muscle Pain?
There are many essential oils that can help with pain and muscle discomfort. Here, I’ll specifically talk about essential oils that can reduce muscle pain in the body. These are some of the most well-known and well-studied essential oils related to muscle pain.
In short, these oils can produce pain-relieving effects on the muscles and other areas of the body. The following oils can help reduce muscle discomfort and get rid of any lingering pain.
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is a great mood and memory booster, but did you know that this essential oil can also be used to treat muscle pain? In a study conducted in the Journal of Prolotherapy, researchers studied several essential oils and their effects on pain.
It was found that peppermint essential oil could have a positive effect on pain in the body. Muscle pain was not specifically studied.
However, the scientists in the study found that essential oils like peppermint could be used for many different health ailments and conditions related to pain, this includes pain found in the muscles.
2. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil can help stimulate the muscles and other areas of the body. In particular, it is great for muscle sprains and soreness, and can also reduce pain felt in the muscles. This is due to its anti-inflammatory effects which help diminish tension and musculoskeletal pain.
In a study done in the Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, researchers found that rosemary successfully reduced muscular pain and other types of pain in patients.
Topical use of the oil was particularly successful in helping with muscle pain. But aromatic use of rosemary can also help with muscle pain.
3. Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper essential oil is used in many massage oils. This is because this oil is great at reducing pain and inflammation in many areas of the body. In addition, black pepper essential oil creates a nice warming effect on the body when rubbed into the skin.
This is especially good when you are dealing with muscle soreness and pain! But what do scientists have to say about this oil? A study done in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine studied the effects of black pepper essential oil on muscle pain.
Though the researchers only studied muscle pain located in the neck, the results were promising. When applied to the trapezius muscle, and other nearby neck muscles, the pain was reduced considerably in these muscles.
A cream infused with essential oil was used to produce these results, and scientists are hopeful that black pepper essential oil could further help with muscle-related pain.
4. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile is a soothing essential oil that can aid with sleep and relaxation. And, it can also help to reduce muscle pain. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to stop muscle spasms, chamomile is the perfect essential oil for muscle pain.
A systematic review of essential oils done in a Biomedicine science journal went over the effects of chamomile along with several other essential oils. It was found that chamomile essential oil can help with muscle soreness and pain in an effective way.
5. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is well known for its ability to reduce pain in the body in several different ways. Both topical use and aromatic use of lavender oil can help minimize feelings of pain.
And, in a clinical study, it was found that lavender essential oil can reduce muscle pain and soreness specifically. A lavender essential oil can also reduce headache pain, which could lead to further relief from back and muscle pain. (Babar, 2015).
6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This essential oil has a nice cooling effect on the muscles which can help with pain and soreness. A meta-analysis was done on eucalyptus, and several other essential oils. Researchers found that muscle pain can be reduced when eucalyptus is topically or aromatically used.
7. Copaiba Essential Oil
Copaiba essential oil is a natural pain reliever that can be used for joint and muscle pain. One study found it to be as effective as ibuprofen for relieving arthritis symptoms, making it a great alternative to over the counter drugs.
In addition, copaiba has been shown to reduce inflammation and provide relief from menstrual cramps.
8. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is a great option for those who suffer from chronic pain, like rheumatoid arthritis. Lemongrass can be used for aromatherapy or topical application to help relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation.
After diluting, rub the oil mixture on your temples to alleviate headaches and migraines, or place it on your chest for bronchitis relief. You can also add it into a foot bath with epsom salts to address aches and pains in muscles and joints.
How to Use Essential Oils For Muscle Pain Relief
There are many creative and effective ways to use essential oils for your muscle pain. In this portion of the article, I will go over some simple yet useful ways to reduce muscle pain and soreness. These essential oil uses for muscle pain can really help you relax, unwind, and loosen from any pain.
Apply Your Essential Oil Topically in Targeted Areas
You can use essential oils to target specific areas of pain. Not everyone will be interested in doing a full-body massage on themselves with their massage oil. Instead, if you want, you can apply a little bit of your essential oil to a specific region of your body.
But how can you apply essential oils for pain relief? With essential oils, it is best to use a carrier oil to apply your essential oils to your skin. Carrier oils help dilute your essential oil and help keep your skin safe when using essential oils.
Most essential oils are safe for topical use, but you want to have a carrier oil to help prevent major breakouts or skin flare-ups. In addition, a carrier oil can help the essential oil sink into your skin more deeply and make application easier too.
It also helps your skin absorb the essential oil at a higher rate. This is crucial when you are trying to reduce muscle pain. You will want as much of the essential oil absorbed into your skin as possible. This way you get the most pain-reducing qualities from your oils!
Apply your oils directly to the area of pain and let it sink into the skin.
Soak in A Warm Bath With Essential Oils
Essential oils don’t have to be directly applied to the skin to create a healing effect in the muscles. If you don’t have someone to massage the oil into your skin directly, you can also use essential oils in your bath.
You will need a carrier oil for this method as well. Try mixing a few drops of your chosen essential oil with a carrier oil, castile soap, or vegetable glycerin and then adding into your bathwater.
You can mix a few different muscle pain essential oils into your bathwater if desired. This way your bath time is extra relaxing and pleasing to your senses.
Word of caution: Peppermint and black pepper essential oil may be too strong for your sensitive parts when bathing.
Use A Compress With Essential Oils
With muscle pain and other types of bodily pain, compresses can be used to reduce inflammation and discomfort. Still, you don’t just have to dip your compress in water alone. You can actually include a few drops of essential oil for muscle pain. This way you get even better results!
Use a Diffuser With Your Essential Oil
Finally, essential oils for muscle pain can also be used with a diffuser. A number of studies have indicated that smelling essential oils can help reduce discomfort. This includes reducing muscle tension, soreness, and pain. Inhaling some of the above-mentioned essential oils can greatly reduce your pain levels. So, give this option a try, as well!
Read More > Diffusing Essential Oils
DIY Essential Oil Blends for Muscle Pain
Essential oils for muscle pain are a great way to get your muscles feeling great and more relaxed, especially when you are feeling a lot of discomfort. And, you only need a few drops of essential oil. Check out these essential oil recipes for muscle pain.
Cooling Compress for Pain Relief
Applying an ice-cold compress with healing oils brings relief to sore and painful muscles. Cooling compresses also work well for bruises, insect stings and bites, headaches, swelling, and other injuries.
- 3 drops Lemongrass Oil
- 3 drops Lavender Oil
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- Washcloth or towel
- Bowl with cold water
- Ice Cubes
Directions: Fill the bowl with cold water and ice cubes. Blend 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and essential oil drops together. Add oil blend to the bowl of water and ice. Soak the washcloth in the bowl to make a cooling compress. Remove the washcloth and squeeze out the excess water. Place compress on the area of discomfort. Leave in place until it reaches body temperature.
Repeat step #3 & #4 a few times as needed.
DIY Pain Relief Massage Oil Blend
Massage oils are one of the most simple ways to reduce pain in your muscles. You can very easily create your own essential oil massage oil from the comfort of your home and with only a few key ingredients. This way you can create a powerful massage oil that smells great!
- 12 drops Lavender essential oil
- 8 drops Rosemary essential oil
- 4 drops Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Sweet Almond Oil
- 2 oz Glass Bottle (dropper or pump bottle)
Directions: Blend all ingredients together in a glass bottle. To use, rub the massage oil into the areas of discomfort and allow to absorb into the skin. 2% dilution.
Muscle Tension Relief Roller Blend
Let this blend of pain relief oils soothe the stress and tension in your muscles away!
- 5 drops Copaiba essential oil
- 3 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
- 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil
- 10 ml Glass Roller Bottle
Directions: Add oils into rollerball bottle and fill rest of bottle with jojoba oil (or favorite carrier oil). To use, roll on tense muscles for relief. 5% dilution.
Pain Relief Diffuser Blend
Peppermint oil is cooling and comforting. This pain relief blend is actually for the diffuser, its scent is calming and helps to reduce stress.
- 3 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops Bergamot essential oil
Directions: Add essential oils to your aromatherapy diffuser with required water for your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pain Relief Essential Oil Blends
Here are some of the FAQs on muscle relief essential oil blends:
Can I use aromatherapy for sore muscles?
Yes, aromatherapy can be used for sore muscles. Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that can help relax and relieve muscle tension.
You can mix a few drops of these oils with carrier oils like coconut or almond oil and massage them onto the affected area for relief.
Is rosemary oil good for muscle recovery?
Rosemary essential oil has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties, making it potentially beneficial for muscle recovery. Its analgesic effect is thought to help reduce muscle soreness and pain associated with physical activity.
Additionally, the oil's ability to increase circulation might aid in the recovery process by promoting nutrient delivery to the muscles and eliminating waste products.
What does analgesic properties mean?
Analgesic properties in terms of essential oils refer to their ability to relieve pain and discomfort. These oils are known to have a soothing effect on the body and are capable of relieving headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, and other sources of bodily discomfort.
When used topically or inhaled, analgesic essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus can help reduce pain sensations and promote a sense of relief and relaxation.
Is ginger essential oil good for blood circulation?
Ginger essential oil has been known to improve blood circulation due to its warming properties and ability to dilate blood vessels. Its active compounds, such as gingerol and zingerone, help stimulate blood flow.
Regular use of ginger root essential oil through massages or aromatherapy may have a positive effect on blood circulation and overall health.
Can I use essential oils for an exercise injury?
Yes, essential oils can be beneficial for exercise injuries. Certain oils like peppermint or eucalyptus can help relieve muscle soreness and inflammation when applied topically.
However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils as a primary treatment method for any injury, as they may not be suitable for everyone or all types of injuries.
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