We have all been plagued by the agony of aches and pains. In fact, some of us experience acute pain and chronic inflammation on a daily basis! I’m here to help by sharing the top 5 powerful essential oil for pain and inflammation that you can easily get your hands on and start an all-natural pain relief journey!
I can’t live without essential oils for pain and inflammation. I’m not even kidding you, most nights the only way I can fall asleep is if I’ve applied some diluted peppermint essential oil on my forehead. This instantly helps cool down my sore head and aching eyes.
The thing about essential oils is that they can be incredibly fast acting because of their invigorating properties. All the essential oils on this list have compounds that numb pain immediately with the hot/cold sensation they provide.
Let’s talk more about this below. I’ll also be sharing scientific studies which show that these essential oils for pain and inflammation are one of the top tier natural remedies for quick relief.
Top 5 Powerful Essential Oils For Pain and Inflammation
Here are the top 5 powerful essential oils for pain and inflammation. We shall discuss what makes each of them specially targeted for the purpose of relieving pain and soothing inflammation:
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
- Scientific name: Mentha x piperata
Peppermint essential oil, extracted by steam distillation from the leaves of the peppermint plant, is widely known for the pleasant cooling sensation it has when applied onto skin.
This cooling and tingling sensation is due to its key compound, menthol.
Menthol has natural analgesic or pain fighting properties that helps cool off the aching area hence numbing down the pain.
According to a 2015 study, peppermint essential oil appears to provide symptomatic relief in some patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and chest pain (source).
Another study in 2015 showed that there was a significant improvement in headache intensity by 2 hours after menthol gel application, in migraine patients suffering from acute migraine attacks (source).
In my personal experience, peppermint oil always saves the day when it comes to headaches and eye pain.
It is also effective for pain caused by digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, muscle aches and joint pain.
This roll-on is perfect for applying on your forehead, temples and back of the neck to relieve headaches and tension!
2. Black Pepper Essential Oil
- Scientific name: Piper nigrum
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, black pepper essential oil is hot, pungent, warms the center and disperses the cold. When applied diluted on aching areas of the body, it provides a warming tingling effect that helps alleviate pain.
The analgesic properties of this spicy essential oil help relieve different types of pain.
Research shows that black pepper essential oil contains diverse secondary metabo-lites, including lignans, neolignans, terpenes, chalcones, fla-vones, alkaloids, amides and propenylphenols, corresponding to diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, antipyretic, anti-coagulant, antifungal, anti-cancerogenous, gastroprotective, anxiolytic and anti-depressive (source).
Black pepper essential oil has a content of 24% of a sesquiterpene called β–caryophyllene, which has anesthetic activity. This compound helps in the modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses.
This powerful essential oil helps improve digestion and helps with gastrointestinal pain, has antiviral properties, relieves inflamed and sore muscles and joints and increases blood circulation in the body. It is good for reducing arthritic pain.
Cliganic Organic Black Pepper Essential Oil, 100% Pure Natural for Aromatherapy | Non-GMO Verified
3. Turmeric Essential Oil
- Scientific name: Curcuma longa
In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric root has been used in several medicinal applications.
The two key active ingredients that are responsible for the medicinal properties of turmeric are curcumin and the volatile oil, containing terpenoids. The oil constitutes about 3-6% of the dry weight of the rhizomes and, like curcumin, has several anti- inflammatory and anticancer properties (source).
Turmeric essential oil possesses anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal activity, and has anti-cancer properties to boot. It can scavenge free radicals and produce significant anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities (source).
A 2019 study showed that curcumin with turmeric essential oil (BCM-95 Curcumin) dosed at 500 mg TID appears to have a similar efficacy profile as diclofenac sodium 50 mg BID for relief of knee pain from osteoarthritis (source).
4. Clove Essential Oil
- Scientific name: Syzygium aromaticum
In the world of natural pain relief, clove is a prized remedy. You may have heard of it or not but chewing on a single clove can help you get rid of gum inflammation and relieve tooth aches!
Now the essential oil of clove is even more potent. Some people dilute a drop of clove essential oil with their toothpaste and brush for healthy teeth and gums.
Why is it so good for tooth aches?
Well, clove oil contains the active compound eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic.
If you’re familiar with the dentist, an anesthetic is an agent that helps numb your gum and prevent/relieve pain.
Eugenol also has natural anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness, irritation inflammation in the affected area.
Over-the-counter medicines recommended by dentists for tooth extraction pain contain eugenol.
This 2015 British study found that eugenol is more effective at reducing pain, inflammation, and infection than another type of analgesic (source).
Not just good for tooth pain, eugenol in clove essential oil also makes it effective against headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain and menstrual pain, among others.
When applied diluted on the affected area, you’ll feel a warm tingling sensation that helps dull your pain!
5. Ginger Essential Oil
- Scientific name: Zingiber officinale
Another warm spicy essential oil, ginger is also one of the top 5 powerful essential oils for pain and inflammation.
It consists of powerful chemical compounds including sesquiterpenes such as zingiberene and ar-curcumene as well as monoterpene isomers, neral and geranial, collectively referred to as citral.
Ginger essential oil is blessed with several therapeutic benefits including anti- inflammatory, analgesic, anticancer, antioxidant, antinociceptive and antitussive properties that help fight pain and soothe inflammation (source).
You can use ginger essential oil to effectively block pain receptors, reduce swelling, reduce chronic inflammation, promote proper blood flow and numb severe pain.
It is also a warm oil that gives a warm and tingling sensation that helps alleviate pain associated with cold/winters such as knee pain and joint aches.
Diluted ginger essential oil can be applied to the abdomen to help with menstrual pain.
DIY Recipe: Essential Oil Blend for Pain and Inflammation
Essential oils are a non-invasive remedy to target pain and inflammation.
They help take away the symptoms of your ailment and can be fast acting for quick relief.
Now that we have looked at the top 5 powerful essential oils for pain and inflammation, here is an effective way to use them. Make this essential oil blend for pain and inflammation for instant relief:
Note: This is a 3% essential oil dilution rate which means for every 1 tsp of carrier oil (jojoba oil), there are 3 drops of essential oil. The standard essential oil dilution rate is 2% for adults, which means for every 1 tsp of carrier oil, there are 2 drops of essential oil. Since this is targeted for pain relief, it has a higher concentration of essential oils than normal.
What you need
- 6 drops turmeric essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops black pepper essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops clove essential oil (where to get it)
- 3 drops ginger essential oil (where to get it)
- 1 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
- 2 tbsp of carrier oil such as jojoba oil (where to get it)
- Small funnel for transfer (where to get it)
Directions
- Sterilize your glass dropper bottle by washing it with warm soapy water then let it dry thoroughly.
- Once dry, fill the bottle almost all the way full with jojoba oil. Use a small stainless steel funnel for easy transfer.
- Next add all the essential oils carefully, drop by drop.
- Seal the bottle tightly then gently roll the bottle between your two palms or tilt it up and down to combine the oils without creating air bubbles. Air bubbles can make your blend oxidize hence expire faster, reducing its effectiveness.
- Apply a suitable amount on the affected area and massage it in gently.
Take Care
- Always dilute essential oils before use.
- Don’t apply essential oils in mucous membranes including eyes, nose, ears, mouth, anus, vagina and other similar areas.
- Keep essential oils away from children and pets.
- Always consult your doctor when using essential oils especially if you have a complicated or chronic health condition.
- Pregnant and lactating women should consult a doctor before using essential oils.
Are you ready to use these powerful essential oils for pain and inflammation? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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