Essential Oils for Muscle Discomfort and Inflammation Relief

Whether from overwork or under use, many of us have had to deal with muscle aches and discomforts at one point or another. While there are several remedies available to relieve muscle discomfort, both natural and pharmaceutical, essential oils have their own role in soothing the sore muscles and offering relief. The most popular essential oils that are generally used to soothe muscle discomfort include wintergreen, cinnamon, marjoram, cypress and basil. With that said, here are some of the best essential oils you can use for muscle pain relief:

• Basil

Basil can be applied directly as a massage oil to reduce swelling in the muscles. It works as a decongestant, antiseptic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and antispasmodic. Individuals with epilepsy, kids, and pregnant females must avoid making use of basil. It may likewise be a skin irritant. Basil can either be ingested in diluted forms or used in a diffuser.

• Marjoram

Marjoram essential oil can be beneficial for bronchitis, headache, asthma, whooping cough or any irregularity in muscles. With the right knowledge of its use, Marjoram fits for both oral consumption and topical application with no known side effects involved.

• Tea Tree

There are not many side effects involved with the use of tea tree oil; however, a little caution must be followed when using this oil on children under the age of 6. In addition, I have found people using tea tree oil to have a higher vulnerability to contact sensitization.

• Neroli

Neroli is calming, relaxing, promotes self-confidence, sensuality, peace of mind, and positivity. When used properly, there are no known side effects to using the oil. Neroli can be applied topically as a fragrance, or used in diffused form.

• Spearmint

Spearmint essential oil can work wonders for those suffering from muscle pain and inflammation. There are no known adverse effects to using this oil; however, skin irritation is one of the negative outcomes when this oil id used for long. This oil can be taken orally, used externally or in a diffuser.

• Helichrysum

Helichrysum is useful for reducing the inflammation of the muscles, acne and headaches. In addition, this oil promotes the healing of injuries or burns, detoxifies the body and boosts the immune system, reverses the signs of aging, and fights the fungal infections. There are no known adverse effects to making use of this essential oil, but ingesting it orally can be toxic. Helichrysum can be used both topically and in a diffuser.

• Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is highly relaxing for those suffering from muscle pain and inflammation. While there are no known negative effects to making use of peppermint oil, I have seen some people reporting problems like mild skin irritation. It can be taken internally, topically, or used in a diffuser.

• Wintergreen

Wintergreen essential oil can be beneficial for small muscle aches and pains, issues of the kidney, nerve pain, arthritis, throbbing joints and menstrual pain. This oil is hazardous when ingested orally, and can trigger ringing in the ears, forgetfulness, belly pain, headache, vomiting and nausea, if not used appropriately. It can be applied topically to the skin or used in a diffuser.

• Clary Sage

Clary Sage essential oil can be helpful for inflammation of the muscles when applied to the skin. There are no recognized negative effects to making use of clary sage, when taken in right amounts. It can be taken orally (it acts as a flavor for food) or used topically.

• Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil helps in sleep and has soothing and relaxing properties that help to lower stress and anxiety. Possible adverse effects can include contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis and other extreme hypersensitivity reactions. You can diffuse it or rub 2 drops of this oil on the temples or back of the neck, either prior to going to bed or when dealing with a difficult situation.

• Cinnamon

Cinnamon essential oil has the ability to stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and battle the infection. There are no known side results to using cinnamon; however, it may be a skin irritant and may irritate the nasal passages if not watered down.

• Cypress

Cypress essential oil reduces pain in the muscles including muscle fatigue and spasms. In addition, this essential oil helps in relieving aching muscles after a strenuous exercise session. When used topically, it easily penetrates the skin and mixes with the blood within minutes, triggering immediate relaxation and pain relief.

Common muscle illnesses and the essential oils you can use for them

• General Muscle Discomfort

The best essential oils to use for general muscle discomfort are Marjoram and Pepper mint followed by wintergreen, white fir, vetiver, Spanish sage, silver fir, rosemary, Lemongrass, lavender, Ginger, Cypress, Birch, Basil and Balsam fir.

• Muscle aches

If you are throbbing due to muscle pain or have fibromyalgia or connective tissue discomfort, the following essential oils are most helpful: Peppermint, Oregano, Marjoram, Clove and Birch. Other than these essential oils, I have found Wintergreen, White Fir, Thyme, Rosemary, Chamomile, Lavender and Helichrysum to be quite useful.

• Cardiac Muscle pain

Yes, your heart is a muscle. Marjoram and Lavender work best for such muscle issues, followed by Rosemary, peppermint and Cinnamon. You can use these oils topically or in a diffuser for aromatic use.

• Cartilage Injury

Birch, Marjoram, and Wintergreen are best for this kind of injury. Lemongrass and Peppermint are likewise useful.

• Lack of energy in muscles

To energize the muscles prior to a workout, use Rosemary. It warms the muscles and helps them to stretch for optimal efficiency.

• Muscle Cramps

Often prompted by pressure or lack of blood circulation, leg and foot cramps can often be prevented by remaining hydrated. Lemongrass, Marjoram, and Peppermint are the best oils for relief, followed by Vetiver, Rosemary, Chamomile, Lavender, Grapefruit, Cypress, Clary Sage and Basil.

• Muscle Fatigue

List of essential oils that I can confidently recommend for muscle fatigue includes White Fir, Peppermint, Marjoram and Cypress. Other than that, Thyme, Rosemary, Grapefruit and Eucaluptus have also shown quite good results with my patients.

• Muscle Spasms

While spasms are not usually agonizing, they can be eased with the use of Basil, Chamomile and Marjoram. Peppermint, Lavender, Cypress and Clary Sage can likewise help.

• Muscle Sprains

Stress in the ligament can be treated with White Fir, marjoram and Lemongrass. Other essential oils that might be helpful are Vetiver, Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, Helichrysum, Ginger, Eucalyptus and Clove.

• Tendinitis

Marjoram and Lavender are the best essential oils you can use for swelling of the tendon.

• Muscle stress

Whether caused due to physical stress, or emotional anxiety, Marjoram is your best choice for muscle stress. Helichrysum, Lavender, Peppermint, and Roman Chamomile are also useful.

Prepare your own essential oil Blends

For a muscle pull, blend 3 drops of Roman Chamomile and 2drops of sugary food grade Marjoram together. Apply this blend via cold compress.

For muscular pain, combine 3 drops of Roman Chamomile with 3 drops of Lavender. Apply this blend using cold compress.

For swelling in the muscles, use a cold compress of 3 drops of Peppermint and 3 drops of Yarrow.

To release a muscle spasm, mix 2 drops of Ginger, 3 drops of Cypress and 3 drops of Sweet Marjoram with 3 teaspoons of carrier oil of your choice. Apply this blend topically twice in a day.

To soothe tender muscles, blend 3 drops of Lemongrass, 5 drops of Ginger, and 5 drops of Lavender with 5 teaspoons carrier oil of your choice. Apply this blend topically three times in a day.

To relax tight muscles, blend 4 drops of Lavender, 4 drops of Rosemary, and 2 drops of Ginger with 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. Use this blend topically three times in a day.

In order to ease rheumatic pain, blend 3 drops of Lavender, 3 drops of Ginger, and 3 drops of Silver Fir in 5 teaspoons of carrier oil. Apply this blend over the impacted areas three times in a day.

In order to enhance flow of blood to the cramping muscles of the leg combine 3 drops of Ginger, 5 drops of Black Pepper, and 5 drops of Cinnamon in 5 teaspoons of carrier oil. Use this blend over areas where muscle cramps exist.

For centuries, essential oils have been recognized for having therapeutic properties. Ancient cultures exercised the art of making essential oils for reliving muscle pain by first soaking the leaves, branches, bark and flowers of plants in oil for duration of time and then using linens to cleanse, separate and filter the oils in a concentrated form.

Always remember that muscles need potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, glucose and sufficient amounts of water to work. So, I would recommend that you do not overlook something that is the basic requirement for your muscles to function optimally.