Are you in pain? For how much of your time? So many people have aches and pains associated with injuries, or conditions like Fibromyalgia, Sciatica, Arthritis, or Plantar Fasciitis and they all desperately want relief. When used correctly, essential oils can really help give you that pain relief. So let’s get you started.This article is the beginning of our Pain Relief with Essential Oils series. While the recipes can be interchangeable, Sprains, Strains, and Breaks will be talked about in another article, as will Plantar Fasciitis and Fibromyalgia. We have already addressed treating arthritis and migraines.
Best oils and herbs
Essential oils: Birch Bark, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Spearmint, Anise Seed, Helichrysum gymnocephelum and italicum, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Galbanum, Pine, Valerian Root, Cajeput, Marjoram, the Chamomiles, spices,
Herbs: Willow, Black Cohosh, Cayenne, Boneset, Comfrey, Turmeric, Valerian, Meadowsweet, Crampbark,
Points to remember
- When treating pain, you need to remember to treat the whole body, especially the digestive and eliminative systems. Make sure you use anti-inflammatory oils like the mints, Wintergreen, and Birch Bark to help stimulate the circulation and eliminative oils like Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, and the Helichrysum’s to help your body processes work correctly.
- Massage and therapeutic baths will be your best methods of treatment. They will stimulate the circulation and help get rid of toxins and bring in the healthy vitamins and minerals needed to function properly. Just make sure that the massage around painful joints is on the muscles surrounding the joint. Otherwise, you will hurt the bones.
- For joint stiffness, oils like Rosemary and Lemongrass will help a lot.
- The better you can eat, and the more you can move, the better you’ll be. Now if you have really debilitating pain issues, this will be hard. But do the best you can. That’s all that matters.
- Sea salts and epsom salts are great to use in baths for helping take away pain.
- An infusion of St. John’s Wort (recipe below) is the best carrier oil for pain relief as it has natural analgesic properties of it’s own.
- One great way to treat your pain is to put a few drops of Helichrysum italicum in some carrier oil and massage into affected area.
- Rocky Mountain Oils has a few blends that work great for relieving pain. My favorite is Gentle Healer, a blend of Helichrysum italicum and Foraha. Another blend is Pain Ease, which they also sell in a cream.
Recipes
As always, remember to test any of these on a small portion of skin first before using in a large area, especially before using in a bath.
Massage for Sciatica
- 2 tablespoons St. John’s Wort oil
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 5 drops Geranium
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 10 drops Lavender
Add all ingredients to a dark colored, glass bottle. Shake well for 2 minutes. Label and allow to sit for 24 hours before use. Apply after a warm bath or shower. (2)
Fire & Ice Analgesic Massage
- 20 drops Eucalyptus radiata
- 20 drops Peppermint
- 15 drops Cajeput
- 5 drops Cinnamon Bark
- 5 drops Clove Bud
- 1/2 cup Jojoba
Add all ingredients to a dark colored, glass bottle. Shake well for 2 minutes. Label and allow to sit for 24 hours before use. Apply anywhere your muscles or joints are sore and achy. Is also great for the feet. (3)
Massage for Muscular Aches and Pains
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 10 drops Black Pepper
- 12 drops Coriander
- 6 drops White Grapefruit
- 2 drops Ginger Root
Add all ingredients to a dark colored, glass bottle. Shake well for 2 minutes. Label and allow to sit for 24 hours before use. Apply after a warm bath or shower. (2)
St. John’s Wort blend
- 3 cups Freshly Wilted St. John’s Wort flowering tops
- 3-4 cups Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 2,000 IU Vitamin E oil
- 4-6 drops Essential oil of choice
Put herb into a quart jar and fill bottle with olive oil to within 1 inch of top of jar. Stir to remove any air bubbles and make sure all of the herb is submerged. Place a piece of plastic wrap over top and screw on lid tightly. Place jar in a warm, southern facing window. Shake the jar 30 seconds a day to blend together thoroughly. Allow herb to infuse for 1 month.
At the end of the month, carefully strain through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter. Squeeze the herb debris to remove all oil and discard the herb. Add vitamin E and essential oils. Stir well. Store in a dark colored, glass jar. Oil will be a deep blood-red or burgundy in color. Label jar. Apply by massaging into affected area. Allow to soak in for 5-10 minutes before getting dressed. Use within 1 year. (3)
Pain Relief Blend
- 4 drops Bay Leaf
- 6 drops Helichrysum italicum
- 4 drops Clove Bud
- 6 drops Roman Chamomile
- 6 drops Ginger Root
- 6 drops Rosemary
- 6 drops Lavender
- 2 tablespoons Jojoba
- 2 teaspoons Castor oil
- 2 teaspoons St. John’s Wort oil
- 1 teaspoon Calendula oil
Add all ingredients to a dark colored glass bottle. Shake well for 2 minutes. Label and allow to sit for 24 hours before use. Apply as needed for relief. (1)
How about you?
What oils or blends do you like to use for pain relief? What recipes have you used that have done you the most good? Please let us know in the comment section at the bottom of the page. Everyone would really love to hear from your own experience.
References
- The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy, by Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D.
- The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy, by Chrissie Wildwood
- Hands On Healing Remedies: 150 Recipes for Herbal Balms, Salves, Oils, Liniments, and other Topical Therapies, by Stephanie L. Tourles