Essential oils are very popular due to their positive effects on people’s well-being. For example, some known benefits of essential oils are better sleep and reduced symptoms of anxiety. But these oils can be used for pain relief as well.
You can take pain medications when you feel any sort of pain. But you can’t depend too much on medicine as this dependence can lead to more serious issues such as drug addiction and abuse. Also, the pandemic requires us to stay indoors, so we need to get creative about how we address pain at home. It’s not a bad idea to turn to essential oils to help with pain relief. Besides, they’re all-natural and have other helpful benefits as well.
In this article, we’ll look at some essential oils that help with different kinds of pain relief.
How to Use Essential Oils
The first use of essential oils for aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient times. It specifically started in Egypt and was adopted by other nations. At the time, these oils were widely used for medicinal purposes. And still continues to this day. Aromatherapy is used to supplement pain management and promote holistic health.
Today, essential oils can be used in many ways. Some people use them in diffusers by diluting them in water. But it’s important to note that some oils may not be safe to diffuse. Another way to use essential oils is by massaging essential oils onto the skin. But they need to be mixed with carrier oils (e.g. coconut, jojoba, and almond oils) to avoid skin irritation. Some people add a few drops of essential oils to their bath to relax their whole body.
Oils for Pain Relief
Bergamot
Bergamot oil is extracted from bergamot oranges. This essential oil is known for its cleansing properties, but it can also be used to relieve stress and relieve pain. One study found that this oil helps with reducing pain-related symptoms of dementia. Also, a laboratory study found that bergamot oil can reduce psoriatic plaques, which can be itchy and painful.
Lavender
Lavender oil is extracted from flowers of certain species of lavender. This oil is mostly known for its fragrant scent that helps people relax and sleep well. It is commonly used in diffusers and doesn’t put children and pets at risk.
But this essential oil doesn’t just smell good; it helps with pain relief, too. In one study, it was used along with other oils as a massage and helped women reduce their menstrual pain. The essential oil was also found to help relieve post-surgery pain.
Peppermint
This has a cooling and soothing effect. It can be applied directly to the skin (mixed with a carrier oil) on pain spots for quick relief.
One study found that peppermint oil helps relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms such as abdominal pain and headaches. Also, peppermint’s numbing effect makes it a good home remedy for oral pain. For example, a trip from the oral surgeon is usually accompanied by a lot of pain, especially after surgery. When you get home, you can put peppermint oil on a cotton ball and rub it on your tooth or gums. You can also use peppermint oil as a mouthwash by mixing it with water.
Chamomile
One of the oldest herbs known to mankind is chamomile. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The oil can be used topically to soothe muscle pain. Chamomile oil was also found to be effective in treating rheumatic pain, back pain, and cramps.
Lemongrass
Like chamomile oil, lemongrass oil is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It was found to help with inhibiting muscle pain and treating skin inflammation. Similar to other oils, lemongrass can be used topically if mixed with carrier oils and can be added to diffusers.
Eucalyptus
Using eucalyptus in aromatherapy can help people relieve post-surgery pain, thanks to the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties. It can also be used to treat oral pain, just like peppermint oil, by adding it to a mouth wash solution. Eucalyptus oil can also assist in healing wounds, which can be painful depending on the size and severity.
Essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. But this doesn’t mean that they’re not safe to use. As long as you avoid using them in their purest form, you’ll be okay.
These oils are not conclusively proven to treat illnesses, but appropriate use of these oils can be very helpful in pain management. Their many benefits are enough to justify adding essential oils to your essential first-aid items.
