Essential Oils For Sore Muscles
Sore Muscles can be the bane of existence for many of us. They come to us in a variety of ways, but their impact is felt all the same. Whether it be from a workout, a tough day at the office, or Father Time reminding you of his presence, they can be quite cumbersome. That is why finding a treatment for those sore muscles is so important. If left alone, they can be bothersome at best and a serious hindrance at worst.
Thankfully, there are a few natural remedies out there that can help.
Essential oils are being used now more than ever to treat a variety of ailments; sore muscles included. They have natural healing qualities that offer a fantastic alternative to the medicines out there that come with a litany of side effects.
Best of all, essential oils have been around for thousands of years and have a track record of being helpful when it comes to our health needs. Depending on the oils that you use, they can treat a litany of things including tension, pain, and swelling, making them a potent treatment option when your muscles are hurting the most.
How Do Essential Oils Help With Sore Muscles?
Essential oils can provide relief for sore muscles by reducing inflammation, improving blood circulation, and relaxing the muscles. They can also help alleviate pain and promote faster recovery.
What Essential Oils Are Good For Sore Muscles?
There are a few essential oils that have managed to separate themselves from the pack when it comes to dealing with achy, sore muscles. You can try them on their own or combine them to see which has the greatest impact on you. The three most popular essential oils for muscle pain are:
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular essential oils. Period. The smell of peppermint is enough to make anyone want to give it a try, but because it contains menthol it can be quite effective for providing a cooling effect on sore and aching muscles. In addition to its pain-relieving abilities, peppermint oil also has antispasmodic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it one of the most complete options out there for treating muscle pain through essential oils.
Even if you aren’t experiencing aches and pains, implementing peppermint oil into your home can provide it with a bright, fresh, and relaxing smell that will make any space feel more welcoming.
Marjoram Essential Oil
We generally think of Marjoram as a kitchen spice, but it actually has quite a few healing properties that make it a popular option in the world of essential oils. For oilers, marjoram makes it to the list of the best essential oils for muscle-related issues. Though it is not as popular as peppermint essential oil, more and more people are implementing it into their spaces to garner all the benefits that it offers. Marjoram is used in the treatment of muscles from things like tension and spasms which can not only be quite persistent but painful as well. This essential oil is known for its ability to provide ease from pain and inflammation, especially in the wake of a workout.
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Though it doesn’t have the mainstream recognition that peppermint and marjoram oil have, helichrysum oil is quite effective and belongs in the conversation with its more popular counterparts when it comes to treating sore and aching muscles and relieving pain.
Much like peppermint and marjoram oil, helichrysum oil is meant for relieving things like muscle soreness, pain, and inflammation making it one of the best essential oils for muscle pain and soreness. Having an effective treatment such as this can be an invaluable tool when your muscles are screaming at you.
Best Essential Oils For Muscle Pain
The thing about muscle pain is that it comes in many forms. Unfortunately, it can be in the aforementioned muscle spasms and aches or in the form of swelling and inflammation. To a lot of people, pain is just a pain so it might all feel the same, but the treatment of these ailments can differ quite greatly.
Here are a few essential oils that are best used to treat swelling and muscle pain, either on their own or when combined to create a unique blend all your own.
Yarrow Essential Oil
This is a highly versatile treatment option for those sore and aching muscles. The plant itself can be used either fresh or dried and can be implemented in a number of different methods aside from oils. Despite all of its other forms, Yarrow is still primarily used in the form of oil.
It can help to reduce swelling and ease pain in the muscles while also providing a litany of skin benefits like healing inflamed wounds, burns, and rashes. Yarrow is a kind of do-it-all oil that can treat a number of different ailments.
Lavender Essential Oil
Right up there in terms of popularity with peppermint oil, lavender is one of the most prized oils out there, and with good reason. It not only relieves pain and inflammation that can be quite hindering but also provides a calming and relaxing atmosphere. Even those who don’t suffer from muscle soreness and pains use lavender oil in their home for its wonderful scent and its ability to provide a calm and relaxing area wherever it is used.
If you are no beginner when it comes to the use of essential oils, there is a pretty good chance that you already have lavender oil as part of your essential oil kit. Get in on the craze by adding it to your repertoire today.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Much like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil has a cooling effect similar to that of menthol. This can have a great effect on aching muscles while also helping to treat and reduce pain and inflammation in the muscles and joints.
Not only that, eucalyptus oil can also provide skin remedies for things like skin ulcers and arthritis and even help to treat conditions like asthma, and nasal congestion, and can even act as a tick repellent. Truly one of the most versatile essential oils out there.
Essential Oils For Tension And Swelling
Tension and swelling can be quite uncomfortable to deal with when it comes to your muscles and simply having patience is not something that many of us have. That is why having an essential oil at your disposal to help you in the recovery process can be so beneficial. Here are a couple of the better options.
Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress oil is primarily used to help relax and calm those muscle spasms that can be quite bothersome and is also used to help ease and soothe inflammation as well. Cypress oil can help keep these painful qualities at bay, making the recovery period far more bearable. It also provides energy-boosting qualities when used aromatically. Not only that, it can help to improve the overall appearance of oily skin and can actually be applied topically to give your body an energizing lift that can help get through that inflammation and swelling.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Like Cypress oil, Sandalwood helps to alleviate muscle pain, tension, spasms, and inflammation whether it be from a workout or just general aches and pains. It is also highly versatile with the ability to treat a wide variety of things like urinary and genital disorders, stomach aches, and headaches. Still, it remains most popular for its ability to keep that painful inflammation in check. Whether using aromatically or topically, sandalwood should be one of the essential oils in your stable for any time that your muscles ache.
Single-Use Essential Oil
If for whatever reason, one of the aforementioned essential oils just isn’t working for you and an alternative is what you’re after, there are several oils out there that mainly handle one area of relief like oils used specifically for general pain. You can use that essential oil specifically or mix it with others to create your own total pain relief treatment.
Hopefully, you are fortunate enough to not have to deal with swelling, tension, pain, and/or inflammation all at once. If it is just one of those things it just makes it all the easier to treat it effectively and get back to feeling normal again.
Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger oil is great for treating pain and discomfort because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It has a warming effect on sore muscles; this helps to alleviate the pain that can accompany those sore muscles. If you are experiencing persistent pain, ginger oil (which is already incredibly popular) can make for a great treatment option.
Juniper Essential Oil
Perhaps you’re experiencing muscle tension and are looking for something to address that specifically. Juniper oil is meant to ease that tension and help to eliminate muscle spasms that can be both uncomfortable and painful. Juniper has many different uses but its ability to treat that tension and to eliminate those pesky muscle pain are what make it such a valuable commodity in the essential oil world. Having it in your stable of essential oils is a great idea whether you have tension or not.
Arnica Essential Oil
Swelling can be both a concern and an annoyance. If you are experiencing swelling and inflammation, try arnica oil. It has natural soothing qualities to the skin helping to ease some of the discomforts that can come with swelling. Not only that, it makes for a great treatment for bruises. It can take some time for bruises to heal on their own, turning purple and yellow in the process. Implementing arnica oil can help expedite that process and take some of the discomfort out of them as well.
How To Use Essential Oils For Sore Muscles
- Dilute the essential oil: Mix a few drops of the essential oil with carrier oil, such as coconut oil or almond oil.
- Massage the affected area: Gently massage the diluted essential oil onto the sore muscles in circular motions.
- Apply heat: Use a warm compress or take a warm bath to enhance the effects of the essential oil.
- Repeat as needed: Apply the essential oil mixture 2-3 times a day or as needed for relief.
Precautions When Using Essential Oils
- Always dilute essential oils before applying them to the skin to avoid irritation.
- Perform a patch test on a small area of skin before using a new essential oil.
- Avoid applying essential oils near the eyes, mouth, or broken skin.
- If you have any underlying medical conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils.
Final Thoughts
Essential oils can be a natural and effective way to relieve sore muscles. By incorporating these oils into your self-care routine, you can experience the benefits of their soothing and healing properties. Remember to always use essential oils safely and consult a professional if you have any concerns.