What Essential Oils are Good for Pain?
An estimated 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain worldwide. Pain is the leading cause of disability across the globe, and those who experience severe pain may find it challenging to get through the day. While prescription pain medication and other conventional therapies are available, many people are looking for natural solutions for their pain. Essential oils can help with both muscle and joint pain. Keep reading to discover what essential oils are good for pain and how they can help!
What Essential Oils are Good for Pain? 9 Options for Muscle and Joint Pain
Many plants have natural pain-relieving properties that, when diffused or applied topically, can help bring some relief. Some of the best essential oils for muscle and joint pain include:
1. Peppermint
Known for its refreshing and uplifting scent, peppermint essential oil can help you start your day with energy and motivation. But it can also help you keep your sanity when you’re dealing with joint or muscle pain.
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on inflamed and aching muscles. Research also shows that peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic properties.
2. Frankincense
Like peppermint, frankincense has anti-inflammatory properties. This aromatic resin is also believed to inhibit the release of leukotrienes, which are compounds that can cause inflammation.
Frankincense may also help prevent cartilage tissue breakdown, which can also contribute to painful inflammation. For this reason, frankincense oil is a natural choice for muscle and joint pain.
3. Lavender
Aromatic lavender is best known for its calming, relaxing effects. But this plant can also help alleviate pain and inflammation.
Lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, so it’s ideal for helping ease muscle and joint pain.
While inhaling lavender can help with your pain, applying the oil topically (with a carrier oil) can help provide localized relief.
4. Helichrysum
Although helichrysum is best known for its skincare benefits, this essential oil also boasts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease muscle and joint pain while improving circulation.
According to researchers, the anti-inflammatory activity of helichrysum is due to its:
- Free-radical scavenging abilities
- Inhibiting inflammatory enzymes
- Corticoid-like effects
Helichrysum essential oil can be applied topically for localized relief on sore or aching muscles. You can also diffuse this essential oil for all-around pain relief.
5. Marjoram
A cousin of the oregano plant, marjoram is best known for its culinary uses. However, the essential oil of this plant can also help ease inflammation and reduce pain. It’s commonly found in massage oils because of its ability to help alleviate muscle tension and pain.
One study found that when marjoram essential oil was massaged onto the abdomen, it helped alleviate painful menstrual cramps.
The analgesic effects of marjoram oil make it an excellent option for muscle and joint pain, especially when applied topically. Try adding marjoram oil to your favorite massage oil, or mix it with a carrier oil to apply directly to the affected area.
6. Eucalyptus
Many people use eucalyptus oil for coughs and colds, but this aromatic oil may also help with joint and muscle pain.
One study found that eucalyptus oil helped lower post-surgery VAS pain scores and blood pressure compared to a control group.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which can help alleviate pain.
Research shows that topical rosemary can help alleviate musculoskeletal pain.
- One study found that rosemary oil and acupressure significantly reduced shoulder pain in stroke survivors.
- An animal study found that rosemary oil was a little more effective at alleviating pain than acetaminophen.
8. Chamomile
Like lavender, chamomile is known for its relaxing properties. Many people use chamomile tea to help them fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep. But chamomile also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that can help with your pain.
Additionally, chamomile oil can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Anxiety and poor sleep can both make your pain even worse.
Chamomile’s ability to tackle inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia makes it a promising choice for natural pain relief.
9. Ginger
Ginger is known for its ability to zap inflammation and improve blood circulation. Better blood flow and less inflammation can both help alleviate pain in your joints and muscles.
In one study, researchers looked at the effects of aromatherapy massage on knee pain using ginger and orange essential oils. The group receiving the aromatherapy massage experienced greater pain relief compared to the placebo group. Unfortunately, the effects didn’t last longer than a few weeks, but the results are still promising.
Ginger works in several ways to help alleviate pain:
- It can inhibit prostaglandins by affecting the LOX and COX pathways.
- It has antioxidant activity.
- It acts as an agonist of vanilloid nociceptor
Research has found that ginger can effectively delay onset muscle soreness, knee osteoarthritis, and lower back pain.
Using Essential Oils for Pain Relief
There are a few ways to use essential oils for muscle and joint pain, but we’re going to focus on two:
- Topical
- Aromatherapy
Topical Application
Essential oils can be applied topically to provide localized relief. For example, let's say that you have an aching back or shoulder muscle. Applying essential oils to the shoulder or back may help alleviate pain in these affected areas (as opposed to all-over pain relief).
If you plan to apply essential oils topically, ensure that you’re not applying the oil directly to your skin. Essential oils need to be mixed with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil. Aim for a 2.5% to 3% dilution.
Alternatively, you can just buy massage oil and apply a few drops of essential oils to it. Or, you can buy a ready-made pain cream like Pain Warrior+! Topical pain relief creams are the easiest and most convenient solution because you don't have to mix your own and there's no guesswork involved.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is another way to enjoy the pain-relieving effects of essential oils.
Diffusers are the most common way to use essential oils for aromatherapy. The essential oil is mixed with water and diffused into the air for inhalation. We offer essential oil blends for pain as well, which you can use in a home diffuser.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a natural way to alleviate muscle and joint pain, essential oils may be a great option. They can be blended together to amplify results, and you can use them in various ways. In addition, the essential oils above are research-backed and have been shown to exhibit some pain-relieving properties.
Ready to reap the pain-relieving benefits of essential oils? Try Pain Warrior+ Cream!
This premium blend is made with peppermint, lavender, frankincense, and more! Combine this essential oil pain bomb with DMSO and CBD and you can experience unmatched relief from joint and muscle pain, inflammation, stress, and more!
This means with one easy application, you can experience relief in just 5 minutes or less so can take control of your day back and get back to doing the things that matter most!