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Using Essential Oils for Muscle Pain Relief

Let's look at ways to use essential oils for muscle pain relief: aromatherapy blends to relieve muscle cramps, blends for sore muscles, and muscle rub recipes similar to Tiger Balm.

Essential Oils for Muscle Cramps

Man with painful spots on body | Muscle Pain Relief Using Essential Oils

If you tend to get muscle cramps during exercise, Healing With Aromatherapy recommends massaging some of the following blend into your muscles before you exercise:

7 drops black pepper essential oil
6 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops juniper essential oil
2 tablespoons arnica oil (Note: Buy one that does not already contain essential oils)

Muscle Cramp Relief

Massage a few drops of any of these blends into the cramped area.

Blend #1

8 drops lavender essential oil
4 drops marjoram essential oil
6 drops german chamomile essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
4 tablespoons carrier oil (an oil infused with St. John's wort or arnica works best)

Source: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Dummies

Blend #2

3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops marjoram essential oil
3 drops rosemary essential oil
1 drop sandalwood essential oil
3 tablespoons almond oil

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy

Blend #3

9 drops bergamot essential oil
4 drops roman chamomile essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
2 tablespoons unscented cream or jojoba oil

Source: Aromahead

To use essential oils for leg cramps, try this muscle cramp blend:

4 drops peppermint essential oil
4 drops marjoram essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil

To relieve sore muscles or pain after the initial cramping, Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art suggests this massage blend:

30 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops marjoram essential oil
5 drops frankincense essential oil
4 tablespoons carrier oil

Muscle cramps are often caused by mineral deficiency or imbalance. Are you getting enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium and not too much salt in your diet? If you tend to be tense, consider getting regular massage therapy or use other relaxation techniques.

Essential Oils for Sore Muscles

Use these blends of essential oils for muscle pain to massage sore/inflamed muscles.

Sore Muscle Roll-on

2 tablespoons carrier oil
6 drops peppermint essential oil
6 drops plai essential oil
6 drops german chamomile essential oil
one-ounce rollerball bottle

Combine the carrier oil and essential oils in the bottle. Insert the rollerball, cap the bottle, and shake gently.

Adapted from Cheryl Murphy, NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist®, "The Zingiberaceae Plant Family," NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Autumn 2018.3, p. 23.

Eucalyptus Muscle Rub

1 ounce (2 tablespoons) carrier oil
14 drops Eucalyptus globulus essential oil
12 drops lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) essential oil
7 drops peppermint essential oil

Combine all ingredients in glass container. Close container and shake well. Apply to muscular aches and pains as needed.

Source: Jade Shutes, "Essential Oil Monograph: Eucalyptus globulus," NAHA Aromatherapy Journal, Spring 2013.1, p. 11.

Sore Muscle Blend

10 drops marjoram essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide

Sore Muscle Relief

15 drops marjoram essential oil
15 drops juniper essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops black pepper essential oil
2 tablespoons carrier oil

Adapted from The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Rubs With Essential Oils for Muscle Pain Relief

Although you can buy rubs containing essentials oils for muscle pain, another option is to make your own muscle balm at home using essential oils.

Caution: Some of these rubs contain strong essential oils that might irritate the skin of some people. Spot test before using on a large area. These rubs are intended for specific pain and not for full-body massage.

Cayenne Muscle Pain Relief

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup beeswax
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
15 drops peppermint essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil

Melt oil and beeswax in a double-boiler over low heat, stirring until well combined.
Remove mixture from heat.
Stir in the cayenne pepper and essential oils.
Pour mixture into small glass or metal containers to cool. Store covered in a cool, dark place. Use as needed.

Source: Dr. Axe’s Essential Oil DIY Guide

Ginger-Black Pepper Muscle Balm

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon beeswax
20 drops black pepper essential oil
20 drops clove essential oil
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
20 drops ginger essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil

Place olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler on low heat.
Stir the mixture until it melts. Remove from heat.
Pour the mixture into a glass container.
Quickly stir in the essential oils.
Let the balm cool and thicken.
Place a lid on the container. Store in a cool, dark place.

Source: Practically Functional

Emu Oil Muscle Pain Relief Rub

1 tablespoon emu oil
1 tablespoon beeswax
4 tablespoons olive oil
5 drops clove essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops vetiver essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops wintergreen essential oil

Melt beeswax with emu and olive oils in a double boiler over low heat, stirring until combined.
Remove from heat.
Stir in the essential oils, one a time.
Pour into glass container.
Cover and let cool. Use as needed.

Source: The Homesteading Hippy