Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age. As arthritis has become a very common problem nowadays, with more than 10 million cases per year in India itself. In this article we are going to inform you about different essential oil good for arthritis, their different benefits, how you can use these oils to relieve your pain and what are the possible side effects, if any of using this oil.
How Essential Oils Help To Treat Arthritis?
Essential oil do not truly cure arthritis, but they help to relieve major symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, pain and stiffness. They help to make the patients life a little bit easier by reducing their suffering and provide them some relief from the unbearable pain. Before applying essential oil to the affected area you should make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil first, Or else it may cause irritation.
10 Best Essential Oils To Relieve Arthritis Pain
As we have already mentioned essential oils do not cure arthritis, but if you are fed up of using the drug store medicine to get some relief then essential oils can be you next best solution to get some relief from arthritis pain. There are different types oils that are used to treat different type of arthritis. We can say Eucalyptus, frankincense and lavender essential oils are best essential oils for rheumatoid arthritis, peppermint and Rosemary essential oils for arthritis in finger and lavender, turmeric, primrose essential oils for arthritis in knees and so on. Read on to know about 10 best essential oils to relieve Arthritis pain.
1. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus has a clear, sharp, fresh, woody and very distinctive smell, and is pale yellow in colour. Eucalyptus oil blends well with Cedar wood, chamomile, cypress, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, peppermint, pine, rosemary, and thyme essential oils. Studies have shown that inhaling eucalyptus oil can significantly lower inflammation, pain, and blood pressure.
Benefits Of Eucalyptus Oil
- Improve respiratory conditions
- Relieve cough
- Improve seasonal allergies
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- fights infection
- Boost mental clarity
- Relieve Arthritis pain
How To Use
- Dilute eucalyptus oil with any carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil .
- Rub it over the aching and swollen joints.
- This will give you fast relief from pain.
Side Effect
- It can cause skin irritation for some people, so it is better to test the oil in a small patch of skin before using it.
2. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger oil colour very from pale yellow to a darker amber colour. It has a strong, spicy, sharp, warm smell and with a hint of lemon and pepper. Ginger oil blends particularly well with Clove, Coriander, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Rose, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Juniper, Lemon, Lime,Neroli, Orange, and Sandalwood essential oil. Ginger oil helps to lessen pain associated with arthritis.
Benefits Of Ginger Oil
- Treat upset stomach and support digestion
- Heel infections
- Aid respiratory problems
- Reduce inflammation
- Strengthen heart health and relieve anxiety
How To Use
- Dilute the ginger oil with any carrier oil of your choice or use a few drops of ginger oil topically on the affected area.
- Use a hot compress after massaging the affected area with the oil.
Side Effects
- Some people can have mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, and general stomach discomfort while using ginger oil.
3. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil has a fresh and clean smell. It has an earthy aroma with warm, fruity and spicy undertones. The oil is pale golden in colour. Frankincense oil blends well with many other essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint, orange,sandalwood, lavender, cedar wood oil etc. Frankincense oil reduces level of inflammation and relieve pain in the joints.
Benefits Of Frankincense Oil
- Help decrease inflammation and pain
- Act as a sleep aid
- Improve memory
- Helps in balancing hormones and improving fertility
- Reduce stress and negative emotions
How To Use
- Mix frankincense oil with almond oil or any other carrier oil of you choice.
- Apply this mixture on the affected area.
- Slowly massage the area for 5-10 minutes.
Side Effects
- Potential side effects include some skin irritation.
- Safety of use during pregnancy and lactation are unknown at this time.
- Rashes on sensitive skin
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Stomach pain
- Hyperacidity and nausea
4.Turmeric Essential Oil
Turmeric oil is yellow in colour and has a sweet and Woody smell with spicy undertone. turmeric essential oil blends nicely with grapefruit, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom essential oils.
Benefits Of Turmeric Oil
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve blood circulation
- Improve digestion
- Helps Fight Colon Cancer
- Helps Prevent Neurologic Diseases
- Aids in Reducing Arthritis and Joint Issues
- Improves Liver Health
How To Use
- Mix a few drops of turmeric oil in a warm bath.
- Dilute the turmeric oil with a carrier oil and massage the mixture in your sore, stiff and painful joints.
Side Effects
- Turmeric doesn’t have any major side effects but can cause allergies and skin irritation for some people.
5. Orange Essential Oil
Orange oil has pale orange-yellow colour. And it has a sweet, citrus and cheerful aroma. Orange essential oil blends well with essential oils of frankincense, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood, and vetiver.
Benefits Of Orange Oil
- Anti-inflammatory properties help treat arthritis
- Anti-cancer
- Kills germs and bacteria
- Boost immune system
How To Use
- Dilute few drops Orange Essential oil with one tablespoon of avocado oil.
- Rub it on the affected area.
- Strong anti-inflammatory properties of
orange oil helps fight pain.
Side Effects
- Orange oil doesn’t have any major side effects.
- It may cause skin irritation, so do a skin patch test before using the oil.
- Is pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor first.
6. Lavender Essential Oil
Good quality lavender oil has sweet, floral, and woody smell. It is pale yellow in colour. Lavender oil blends well with Rose, Geranium, frankincense, Tangerine, Patchouli, bergamot, Sweet Orange, Cedar wood, Grapefruit, Pine, Lemon, Rosemary, Clary Sage, etc.
Benefits Of Lavender Oil
- Cure anxiety
- Improves sleep and brain function
- Heal Wounds
- Reduce acne
- Slow aging process
- Treat dandruff and itching scalp
- Fight against inflammation
- Help treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
How To Use
- In a diffuser, dilute lavender essential oil in hot water.
- Inhale the scented mist.
Side Effects
- Can cause headache
- Lead to constipation
- Increased appetite
- Can cause skin irritation when used topically.
7. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil has a clear refreshing and herbal aroma which makes ones heart feel lighter and refreshed. It is clear in colour. Rosemary essential oil blends well with basil, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint,frankincense, chamomile, thyme, citronella, and eucalyptus essential oil.
Benefits Of Rosemary Essential Oil
- Acne oil treatment
- Stimulate hair growth
- Ease stress
- Treat dandruff
- Reduce pain and inflammation of arthritis
How To Use
- Dilute Rosemary Essential oil with almond oil.
- Apply the diluted oil to the joints.
- Massage for 20 minutes.
- Repeat this procedure twice daily to get the relief from joint pain.
Side Effects
Consuming undiluted rosemary oil can cause
- vomiting,
- uterine bleeding,
- kidney irritation,
- increased sun sensitivity,
- skin redness, and allergic reactions.
8. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil has a sharp, fresh and menthol aroma. It is clear to pale yellow in colour. Peppermint oil blends well with Oregano, Marjoram, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, and Tea Tree essential oils.
Benefits Of Peppermint Oil
- Help Relieve Tension Headaches and Migraines
- Freshen Your Breath
- Relieve Clogged Sinuses
- Help Relieve Menstrual Cramps
- Fight Bacterial Infections
- Improve Your Sleep
- Help reduce inflammation
- alleviate joint pain and stiffness
How To Use
- Mix 2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 8 to 10 drops of peppermint oil in a bowl.
- Massage the mixture into the affected area.
Side Effects
- Allergic reactions
- Burning mouth syndrome
- diarrhea with anal burning
- Flushing and headache
- Heartburn
9. Evening Primrose Essential Oil
The oil has a pretty golden yellow colour and nutty aroma. essential oils that blends well with evening primrose oil include bergamot, neroli, ylang-ylang, and jasmine.
Benefits Of Evening Primrose Oil
- Relief from skin conditions
- Reduce wrinkles
- heal nerve damage
- Reduce hair loss
- Reduce symptoms of arthritis
- Helps to balance the hormones
- Reduce breast pain
How To Use
- You can use evening Primrose oil by adding it in your daily diet.
- Or, massaging it on the affected area.
Side Effect
- Primrose oil is mostly safe but some time can cause mild side effects including upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
10. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass oil has a sweet lemony aroma and is dark yellow to amber and reddish in colour. Lemongrass essential oil blends well with Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Melaleuca, and Rosemary essential oils.
Benefits Of Lemongrass Oil
- It has antibacterial, antifungal , anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- It helps prevent gastric ulcers or relieve nausea
- Helps ease diarrhea
- It also help reduce cholesterol
- Soothes painful joints in arthritis
How To Use
- Apply 2-3 drops of lemongrass oil to the skin and massage for few minutes.
- Or add 3 drops of oil on a warm towel and inhale the aroma for few minutes.
Side Effects
- Lemongrass oil is mostly safe to use. But sometimes can cause skin irritation or a rash.
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