Using Essential Oils for Pain Relief

The best essential oils for pain relief depends on the type of pain and the result you want. The following list shows potential effects of various essential oils:

For a numbing effect:

• Clove
• Frankincense
• German chamomile
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Lemongrass

To reduce swelling:

• German chamomile 
• Geranium
• Helichrysum
• Juniper
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Myrrh
• Rose
• Tea tree

For a heating effect:

• Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)
  
• Bay rum (pimento)
• Black pepper
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Thyme

To relax and sedate:

• Clary sage
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Lemon eucalyptus
• Lemon verbena
• Marjoram
• Melissa
• Myrtle
• Petitgrain
• Roman chamomile

Source: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy for Dummies

Other pain-relieving essential oils include anise, coriander, eucalyptus, niaouli, nutmeg, rosemary, sage, and wintergreen.

Blend your chosen essential oils with an aromatherapy carrier oil. Rub a little of the blend into the painful area. Generally, use 3 to 5 drops essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil, though that may vary depending on the strength of the essential oil and your sensitivity to it. Spot test a blend before using it on a large area.

Studies about pain relief with essential oils.

This article offers some general pain relief blends. See these articles for more specifics about using essential oils to relieve pain:

• Essential Oils for Arthritis
• Essential Oils for Gout
• Essential Oils for Headaches
• Essential Oils for Migraines
• Essential Oils for Back Pain
• Essential Oils for Muscle Pain
• Essential Oils for Nerve Pain

Blends of Essential Oils for Pain Relief

General Pain Relief Roll-On

• 10 ml glass roller bottle
• Fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil
• 5 drops copaiba essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 5 drops sweet marjoram essential oil

Drop the essential oils into the roller bottle. Fill with carrier oil. Massage over muscles and joints, waiting four hours between applications.

Adapted from The Healing Power of Essential Oils

Muscle Pain Relief

• 9 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 5 drops juniper essential oil
• 5 drops marjoram essential oil
• 4 drops roman or german chamomile essential oil
• 4 drops vitamin E oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Blend oils in a small glass bottle. Use the blend 2 to 3 times a day, as needed.

Source: Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing

Arthritis, Back Pain, and General Pain Relief

Blend the following ingredients in a small bottle:

• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  
• 6 drops wintergreen essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Massage a little of the blend into the affected area as needed.

Source: Healing with Aromatherapy

Joint Care Oil

These essential oils for joint pain may help.

• 2 ounces (60 ml or 2 tablespoons) arnica oil
• 9 drops cardamon essential oil
• 9 our drops rosemary ct camphor essential oil
• 9 drops geranium essential oil
• 9 drops peppermint essential oil

Pour the arnica oil into a 2-ounce (60 ml) glass bottle. Add the essential oils. Close bottle and shake. Massage a little of the blend into swollen joints as needed.

Source: The Heart of Aromatherapy

Knee Pain Rub

Try this blend of essential oils for knee pain:

• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 drop helichrysum essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils For Healing

Stock Essential Oil Pain Relief Recipe

To a 5-ml dark-color dropper bottle, add:

• 30 drops german chamomile essential oil
• 20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 20 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 20 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
• 10 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Cap the bottle and shake to blend. Let sit eight hours before using.

Diffuse a few drops of the blend, make an aromatherapy inhaler using about 15 drops of the blend, or make a massage oil by adding 15 to 30 drops of the blend to one ounce (2 tablespoons) carrier oil.

Source: The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide

Other Ways to Use Essential Oils for Pain Relief

After-exercise stiffness:

Add up to 5 drops of one of these essential oils (diluted in 1 teaspoon carrier oil or liquid castile soap) to a warm/hot bath: eucalyptus, german chamomile, juniper, lemongrass, or marjoram.

Sprains, strains, and swollen joints:

Add up to 8 drops of essential oil to 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. Gently massage the blend around and above the injury. Use german or roman chamomile, cypress, frankincense, juniper, lavender, marjoram, or rosemary. Another option is to make a cold compress using 4 drops of essential oil, and apply the compress to the affected area.

Buy essential oils from Aromatics International (recommended).

Rocky Mountain Essential Oils.

Become a Certified Aromatherapist.

Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists.

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