Essential Oils for Fibro
Wondering what the best essential oils for Fibro are? We've compiled a list of the best ones to help with widespread pain and fatigue caused by fibro. But first, its important to know what Fibromyalgia is.
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties and mental distress. While doctors still don’t know what causes this condition, many believe that people with fibro are more sensitive to pain. Emerging research has found that fibromyalgia may actually be an immune disorder, although more research is needed to support this claim.
Fibro affects more than 4 million adults in the U.S. alone, which is about 2% of the adult population.
There is no cure for this condition, and symptoms can be difficult to manage. Many fibro sufferers have found that essential oils can help with their symptoms. Many essential oils have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties that may help people with fibromyalgia.
Top Essential Oils for Fibro
There are several essential oils that can help with fibromyalgia symptoms. Some of the top essential oils for fibro include:
Lavender
Although lavender is best known for its calming effects, this aromatic herb can also help with pain.
Research has found that lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help ease pain. Studies have also found that lavender essential oil has anti-anxiety effects and can even help improve sleep quality.
Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Lavender may help provide relief for these symptoms in addition to alleviating pain.
There’s little research on lavender essential oil’s effects of fibromyalgia directly, but several studies support this oil’s ability to help with pain.
- One 2015 study found that lavender can help with pain relief.
- Another study from 2016 found that lavender can help with osteoarthritis pain in the knee.
Lavender essential oil can be diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically to painful areas, or it can be diffused into the air for all-over relief.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil has long been used in folk medicine for a variety of health issues. Today, many people use this oil to help with their fibro symptoms.
Geranium oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain. One study found that this essential has potential as an anti-inflammatory medication and has few side effects.
Along with helping ease inflammation and pain, geranium essential oil can also help with anxiety and depression. One rodent study found that Reunion geranium essential oil helped reduce stress in mice.
When searching for geranium essential oil, you may come across rose geranium oil. Rose geranium has virtually all of the same effects as regular geranium oil, but it offers a rosy floral scent that many people enjoy. You can use either of these essential oils to enjoy the benefits of geranium oil.
Frankincense
Frankincense comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree, which is native to Africa, the Middle East and India. For centuries, frankincense and its essential oil has been used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine.
Along with its pleasant woody and spicy scent, frankincense oil also offers potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Frankincense is believed to have compounds that help prevent the release of leukotrienes, which can cause inflammation. The terpenes in frankincense may be the key to its anti-inflammatory effects.
One review found that frankincense was more effective than a placebo at alleviating osteoarthritis pain. In another study, frankincense oil helped reduce osteoarthritis pain when applied topically for six weeks.
While these studies aren’t related to fibromyalgia directly, they do help support claims that frankincense essential oil can help with pain and inflammation. These are two primary symptoms of fibro.
Other research suggests that frankincense oil may help combat the effects of stress, so this essential oil may help with multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Along with aromatherapy, you can also apply frankincense oil topically. Pain-relieving creams that contain frankincense essential oil make it easy to take advantage of this oil’s benefits. You can also dilute the oil with a carrier oil for a DIY option.
Ginger
Ginger root is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to help with pain and nausea. Ginger essential oil has similar effects, and it can even help with digestion.
In fact, one study found that ginger oil, when used for a month, reduced inflammation and helped block sensations of pain.
Other research supports ginger’s pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
- One study found that combining ginger and echinacea supplements reduced pain and inflammation after knee surgery.
- A 2001 study found that taking highly concentrated ginger extract was effective in treating osteoarthritis of the knee.
- An animal study found that high doses of ginger may help alleviate joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
- A human study found that ginger helped with muscle pain caused by an exercise injury.
- Other research has found that applying ginger topically can help with osteoarthritis pain in the knee.
Ginger has compounds that act as anti-inflammatories, and they function similarly to COX-2 inhibitors (drugs used to treat inflammation).
For fibromyalgia, ginger oil can be diluted and applied topically for localized pain relief. You can also diffuse it to use in aromatherapy.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is considered one of the best essential oils for fibromyalgia. Not only can it help alleviate pain, but it can also help clear the mind and help you feel more energized. Fatigue and brain fog are two other symptoms that often accompany fibro.
Why is peppermint essential oil so effective? Because it’s:
- Anti-inflammatory, which can help soothe aches and pains.
- Analgesic, which can also help with pain and improve your sleep.
- Mentally stimulating. Many people find that peppermint essential oil can help improve their memory and thinking ability.
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is cooling and can help alleviate painful, aching muscles.
Chamomile
Like lavender, chamomile is well-known for its calming effects, and it can also help with pain and inflammation.
For fibromyalgia sufferers with anxiety, chamomile essential oil may help ease frazzled nerves. One study from 2017 found that chamomile helped reduce anxiety symptoms in 58.1% of participants after eight weeks. Another study found similar results and also found that chamomile can help reduce morning cortisol levels. Low morning cortisol levels have been associated with anxiety disorders.
Research also backs claims that chamomile essential oil can help with pain. One study found that diluted chamomile essential oil helped ease osteoarthritis pain. Participants applied the oil three times a day for three weeks.
In another study, topical chamomile essential helped ease the pain of people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Of course, chamomile can also help improve your sleep quality. In one study, chamomile helped improve sleep quality compared to a group that was given a placebo.
When searching for chamomile essential oil, you’ll find German and Roman varieties. Roman is more common, but they both have similar effects.
Final Thoughts
Essential oils are a simple and effective way to help improve your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Whether diluted and used topically or diffused for aromatherapy, the essential oils listed above may help bring you some relief. Each one is backed by research, and most of these oils have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
You can use the oils on this list individually, or you can combine them to create a pain-relieving blend that’s all your own. Just make sure that you’re properly diluting your mixture if you’re applying it topically.
Looking for the perfect blend of these amazing essential oils to help reduce your pain and fatigue?
Try Inner Warrior+ Cream!
This premium blend combines CBD, CBG & CBN with DMSO and a just the right amount of lavender, chamomile, geranium, frankincense, ginger and more! Every ingredient was chosen to help with widespread pain and fatigue caused by conditions like Fibromyalgia.
So you get fast-acting, long lasting pain relief while also getting a much needed energy boost! Which means that you can take control of your life back, and spend time enjoying the little things instead of searching for relief.