5 Best Essential Oils for Muscle Pain

Are you suffering from lower back pain after a workout or a hard day on the job? Perhaps you have achy muscles that haven’t fully adapted to a new exercise routine.

Most people will experience muscle soreness at one time or another. When that happens, they search for effective pain relief.

Essential oils might not be the first pain relief measure to cross your mind. However, numerous scientific studies suggest they have potential as a supplementary treatment. We cover the best essential oils for pain relief. Our guide also covers topical solutions and aromatherapy massages.

What is Aromatherapy?

Essential oils are a part of the complementary health practice known as aromatherapy. A person breathes in the scent from the essential oils, adds a few drops to a bath, or applies a diluted form to their skin. Sometimes massage therapy for chronic pain conditions or anxiety incorporates essential oil blends.

Some people use aromatherapy to alleviate insomnia, though there’s little research to substantiate how helpful this approach is.

We advise caution when you use topical essential oils on your skin and do not apply them near your eyes. Some may cause skin irritation or poison you if absorbed. Signs of poisoning include:

·         Excessively large or small pupils
·         Slowed or quickened breathing and heartbeat
·         Dry mouth or drooling
·         Sleepiness or hyperactivity
·         Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
·         Slurring your words

We also strongly recommend you do not ingest essential oils without a doctor’s approval. Many oils are poisonous if swallowed and meant for external use only.

For example, peppermint oil is often used for an upset stomach. However, too much can cause damage to your kidneys. Peppermint oil can also interact with certain medications, so check with your doctor first.

Essential oils and aromatherapy can affect others around you. Be cautious when using them and keep them away from curious children or pets.

What is a Carrier Oil?

Also known as vegetable oils or fixed oils. Extracted from vegetables, seeds, kernels or nuts through cold-pressing. Used to dilute concentrated Essential Oils. Carrier oils are not as stable as essential oils: Carrier oils easily oxidise and become rancid. Their shelf-lives are dependent on the amount of antioxidants dissolved in the oils, but are rarely longer than 2 years.

You mix a carrier oil with an essential oil so you can apply it topically without risking a rash or inflammation

Potential carrier oils include:

·         Olive oil
·         Grapeseed oil
·         Jojoba oil
·         Apricot kernel oil
·         Avocado oil
·         Argan oil
·         Rosehip oil

• Sweet almond oil (not recommended for those with nut allergies)

You should not use mineral oils and derivatives, such as petroleum jelly. Dairy-based butter, margarine, and vegetable shortening should also not be used as carrier oils. Combining with water or other liquids will not make the essential oils mild enough for your skin.

When mixing carrier oils with essential oils, use about one to five drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil.

Lavender Essential Oil

Recent studies suggest that inhaling lavender oil can relieve pain. It also has analgesic properties when applied topically.

A 2012 study examined migraine patients, split into case and control groups. The case group inhaled lavender oil for 15 minutes, while the control group inhaled paraffin oil. Patients recorded their headache severity, with the control group reporting a drop in headache severity.

A 2013 study examined children who inhaled lavender oil after a tonsillectomy. The study evaluated patients ages 6 to 12 who received acetaminophen for pain. The case group inhaled lavender oil, while the control group did not.

The case group relied less on acetaminophen. However, they experienced the same pain intensity and nocturnal wakings as the control group.

A 2015 study suggests that lavender oil can be an effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent when applied topically.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has menthol, which can provide a cool feeling when applied to sore muscles. However, too much menthol can cause skin and eye irritation. In extreme cases, you may develop a chemical burn after using too much peppermint oil.

Make sure to dilute peppermint oil with a carrier oil before you apply it to your skin. Remember that peppermint oil can be dangerous if ingested. Always consult your healthcare provider before you take peppermint oil orally.

Black Pepper Oil

Black pepper oil can warm up your body when it’s applied, providing pain relief. Plus, it offers other benefits.

A 2013 study concluded black pepper oil is an effective antibacterial agent against E. coli. Adding black pepper oil to your diet may also help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus is commonly found in over-the-counter topical relief. Making your own topical mixture at home may have similar effects.

You may not even have to apply the oil to your skin. A 2013 study examined the pain responses of knee replacement patients who inhaled eucalyptus oil. The study concluded that inhaling eucalyptus oil not only reduced pain but also blood pressure.

How to Give Yourself an Aromatherapy Massage

Using therapeutic essential oils in a massage can relieve muscle soreness, along with anxiety and depression symptoms. Women may also find that a massage soothes menstrual cramps.

Mix up a massage oil with a relaxing scent. Some popular choices are lavender, chamomile, jasmine, rose, and bergamot. Double-check the product label for warnings such as “Not intended for pregnant or nursing women.”

Test the oil with a drop or two on your skin. If you don’t experience a reaction after a day, you can apply it as massage oil after diluting it.

When massaging yourself, keep your movements light so that you don’t stimulate your blood circulation—otherwise, you might find relaxation difficult. Work from bottom to top, focusing on your feet, legs, wrists, and temples.

You can also research if a spa in your local area offers professional aromatherapy massages. Alternatively, unwind with an aromatherapy bath or a spritz of an essential oil-water blend to your bedding.

Read more about our 2 unique Therapeutic Pure Essential Oil Blends below:

Muscle Rescue Massage Oil 100ml:

A unique combination of various 100% pure natural oils formulated for the treatment of pain, tension and inflammation in tired muscles. An expert blend of the following oils: Sweet Almond, Wintergreen, Rosemary, African Immortelle, Marjoram, Ginger, Black Pepper & Lemongrass.

Arthro-Ease Massage Oil 100 ml

A unique combination of various 100% pure natural oils formulated for the treatment of pain and inflammation in sore, swollen joints. An expert blend of the following oils: Grape Seed, Lavender, Wintergreen, Rosemary, African Immortelle, Marjoram, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile & Basil.

 

 

3rd September 2020

Health Products Association of South Africa 

To whom it may concern,

AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are well known in the health and wellness industry for their therapeutic effect and have, over recent times, become a natural home-remedy choice for many laypeople. The therapeutic value of an essential oil is directly due to the perfectly balanced synergistic effect of the chemical constituents of each plant species. It must therefore be borne in mind that an essential oil is basically a chemical compound, and, like any such compound, should be used with respect and due caution.

The Aromatherapy Association of South Africa (AromaSA), which represents professional aromatherapy practitioners in South Africa, is concerned about essential oil recommendations that are potentially harmful to the public. Many ‘wellness advocates’ are advising unsafe use of essential oils, advocating daily ingestion of a single, or a combination, of essential oils. Such a recommendation includes adding drops of essential oils into a glass of water in order to ingest same. A general principle of physics demonstrates that oil and water do not mix. Therefore, the ingestion of essential oils in this manner is likely to cause a disruption to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and, dependent upon the essential oil, can result in erosion of this membrane resulting in ulceration.

Another recommended method of use is the topical application of neat, undiluted essential oil directly onto the skin. Again, dependent upon the essential oil, such an application can result in an allergic reaction, sensitization, or cause blistering on the skin. We would therefore request that your staff be made aware of these dangerous methods of use of essential oils, in order that they may advise the public accordingly.

Registered Therapeutic Aromatherapists have undergone intensive training on the safe use of essential oils, based on the chemical composition of each oil, as well as botany, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Such qualified practitioners are required by law, to register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). Many aromatherapy practitioners are, in addition, members of AromaSA, which is an organization that is accredited by the AHPCSA as a CPD provider. The Association offers regular CPD activities to members in order that they are able to update with current trends and practice and maintain their annual license to practice.

The Association welcomes enquiries regarding safe and appropriate essential oil usage from retailers and members of the public. Both AromaSA and the AHPCSA are able to direct members of the public to seek advice from a well trained and registered practitioner.

These bodies can be contacted at:

info@aromasa.org.za and www.aromasa.org.za

info@ahpcsa.co.za and Tel 012 349 2331.

In the interest of protection of the public, we thank you, in advance, for bringing our concerns to the notice of sales personnel.