Whether your joint pain is caused by an active lifestyle, arthritis, or aging, it can greatly affect your day-to-day life. Living with pain has emotional, mental, and of course, physical ramifications. Essential oils can be a great, natural remedy to this problem, allowing you to avoid harsh medicines without having to suffer too much from your condition. This article lists some of the best essential oils for joint pain and inflammation.
Joint pain and stiff joints make it hard to participate in the activities you’ve always loved; they can even make it hard to socialize, as you’re in pain and can’t find comfort or relief. Knee and joint pain usually occur in older people; however, they may affect younger people, too.
Osteoarthritis
According to Pubmed, osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common chronic joint disease that involves middle-aged and elderly people; this condition can make life miserable for the affected.
A study published on Pubmed investigated the effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
The study found that aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil is effective in relieving pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
This means that aromatherapy is actually helpful in the treatment of joint pain and inflammation and people should consider using aromatherapy to ease their pain.
Here are 9 Essential Oils for Joint Pain and Inflammation Treatment
1. Aloe Vera Oil
That’s right! Aloe vera can do a lot more for you than just provide relief from a painful sunburn. Aloe vera essential oil can help to soothe your joint pain when applied to the joint. It can also help to improve your skin and hair. Aloe vera is typically found in gel form, but you can get it in oil form.
2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is especially useful in minimizing swelling and arthritic pain, as its leaves contain tannins. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties found in eucalyptus can help to ease the pain in your joints and muscles, and reduce inflammation as well. Eucalyptus is also beneficial in combating migraines, depression, and stress.
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3. Ginger Essential Oil
The properties in ginger that give it its strong flavor are the very properties that allow it to be used effectively as an anti-inflammatory. Its soothing qualities present in the oil form are good and recommended to be used for joint pain, arthritis pain, back pain, muscle pain, inflammation, etc.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender’s wonderful anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and sedative effects help to ease muscle spasms, pain, and tension; provide relief from headaches; and encourage calmness and relaxation. Therefore, lavender is one of the best essential oils for joint pain and inflammation.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil
Though great for upper respiratory and sinus infections, peppermint is also an excellent pain reliever. Peppermint oil is known to help relieve general muscle pain, joint pain, nerve pain, and headaches. A few drops of peppermint oil can also help to improve the healthy appearance of your skin and hair.
6. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary has both analgesic and antispasmodic properties. These properties make it particularly useful in combating back pain, muscle pain, joint pain, and headaches. Like peppermint oil, rosemary oil can also be used to improve the appearance of your hair and skin and can help clear up sinus infections.
7. Thyme Essential Oil
The common household spice, thyme, when used as an oil, can help to relieve joint and muscle pain. It can also reduce backaches and sinus infections. Like all oils, this oil can be used in many ways, but it is easiest to use it in a humidifier.
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8. Vetiver Essential Oil
Similar to lemongrass and citronella, vetiver helps to relieve everyday aches and pains, including those caused by rheumatism or arthritis. Vetiver is popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine.
9. Bergamot Essential Oil
Easy Blends of Essential Oils for Joint Pain and Inflammation
1. Bergamot and Lavender for Pain: This blend reduced pain levels in people with chronic pain who inhaled it regularly over four months, a 2014 study in BioMed Research International found.
Recipe: Blend 2 to 12 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of milk or vegetable oil (undiluted essential oil can irritate the skin), and add it to a bath. Or mix 15 to 20 drops with 1 ounce of jojoba or almond oil to dab on your wrists or massage into skin.
Ginger for pain: A study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine showed that people with moderate to severe knee pain reported less pain and stiffness after they were massaged with a ginger-and-orange oil than an unscented one.
Recipe: Mix 10 to 15 drops of ginger essential oil with 1 ounce of jojoba or almond oil; massage directly on the skin.
(Recipes From: https://www.arthritis.org/ )
Final Thoughts
The above oils are the best essential oils for joint pain and inflammation.
Now, although essential oils are a safer alternative to harsh medications commonly used to treat these conditions, they may not take care of all your pain. Try getting a professional massage or massaging the tender area yourself, soaking in a hot bath, or applying heat or ice at proper intervals in addition to the essential oils for added benefit.
There’s no reason to live with joint pain and no one wants to be a slave to those stronger medications commonly used to treat pain; try these essential oil tricks now to find relief.
Remember, you need to dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil before topical application to prevent skin irritation because essential oils are potent.
