By Elizibeth Rose
11. Ginger
Ginger essential oil can alleviate joint pain and ease muscle stiffness. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of ginger are due to a compound called gingerol. Ginger oil is effective for pain relief when massaged into sore joints or painful muscles.
A review of the therapeutic properties of ginger found that it’s a natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual cramps, joint inflammation, and osteoarthritis. The review also found that ginger has a similar pain-relieving effect as NSAIDs like ibuprofen.
12. Frankincense
Another essential oil which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties is frankincense essential oil. Frankincense also reduces muscle tension by helping you to relax and reduce stress.
Frankincense oil can be combined with a carrier oil to rub into joints for effective pain relief. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2016 published a study showing how frankincense has pain-reducing qualities. The oil works to block COX-2 (an enzyme connected with inflammation) and “exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.”
13. Yarrow
Yarrow is a medicinal herb and its essential oil helps to relieve intestinal cramping and rheumatic pain. Teas made from yarrow contain properties that reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and can treat abdominal pain. The oil can also be used topically on inflamed joints to increase movement and reduce symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic pain.
The DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences reported that yarrow is also useful in treating painful conditions like gout, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
14. Wintergreen
Use wintergreen essential oil to treat chronic lower back pain, muscles aches, and ease stiff joints. Wintergreen has been used for centuries for pain management and has pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that wintergreen can provide amazing pain relief from lower back pain. The researchers found that massage oil with 2.5% wintergreen oil had the same effect as 325 mg aspirin when massaged into the lower back. The benefit of using wintergreen essential oil as a pain killer is that it is a safe treatment with no harmful side effects.
15. Vetiver
Vetiver is a little-known medicinal plant that isn’t widely known in Western countries. The soothing effect of vetiver essential oil calms all sorts of inflammation and is particularly good at providing relief from inflammation in both the circulatory and nervous system. It brings relief to general aches and pains, especially for rheumatism, arthritis and muscular pain and headache.
Doctors from WebMD say that vetiver oil is used topically for relieving stress, joint pain, and muscle pain.
16. Helichrysum
Helichrysum essential oil is a powerful pain reliever that can also help to repair damaged skin. Helichrysum essential oil is anti-inflammatory and analgesic and can help manage many chronic pain conditions as well as nerve pain. You can also apply helichrysum oil directly to an injury to reduce muscle pain and prevent bruising.
The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found that the pain-relieving power of helichrysum works in 3 ways. Helichrysum reduces inflammatory enzymes, kills off free radicals, and reduces swelling.
You can also apply helichrysum essential oil as an after-sun treatment to get relief from sunburn pain and prevent further skin damage. Application of helichrysum can be done by using a few drops mixed with a carrier oil and massaging it into the painful area.
17. Black pepper oil
The oil extracted from black pepper can be used to relieve muscle aches and pains. The potent essential oil helps to increase blood circulation to the painful area, reduce inflammation, and is also antibacterial.
Black pepper essential oil can help eliminate neck pain and shoulder aches. It has been used together with marjoram, lavender, and peppermint oil to treat recurrent pain in the neck and shoulder areas.
18. Lemongrass
The refreshing scent of lemongrass essential oil not only helps to boost your mood, but it can reduce the symptoms of inflammatory painful conditions like arthritis and rheumatism. You can also use the healing power of lemongrass essential oil for sore muscles.
The journal Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids found that lemongrass inhibits inflammatory responses in the body. It does this similar to thyme and frankincense essential oils by blocking the COX-2 enzyme.
19. Rose geranium
Rose geranium essential oil can help to relieve knee pain, muscle aches, and back pain. You can also use rose geranium essential oil to get pain relief from shingles and other nerve-related painful conditions.
A study from 2013 found that rose geranium essential oil can be a good and safer alternative to many anti-inflammatory drugs. The results of the study were that rose geranium has a similar effect to some anti-arthritis and anti-rheumatic drugs. It also reduces inflammatory responses in the skin, and is a great essential oil for neuralgia.
20. Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil is usually associated with Earl Gray tea. However, you can use bergamot essential oil to relieve headaches and reduce stress-related anxiety.
A study into the calming effect of bergamot found that, when inhaled, it released certain hormones which reduce the sensitivity of your nerves to pain.
So, if you have a headache, sprain or other types of pain for which you would usually take analgesic pain killers, then try rubbing some bergamot essential oil mixed with a carrier oil on the affected area.
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