TOP 10 ESSENTIAL OILS TO RELIEVE ARTHRITIS 1. Peppermint oil: Peppermint may be more popular as candy flavoring, but it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties along with an anesthetic effect that helps in relieving the pain and swelling associated with arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis in particular. Laboratoryexperimentshaveshown that frankincensemayarrest theprogress of rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the production of certain inflammatory substances, thus preventing the damage they cause to the cartilages. The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in the oil are responsible for this healing effect.
Mix 5-10 drops of peppermint oil with 2 Tbsp warmed coconut oil to make a ready-to-use salve. It can be mixed with other oils in this selection to get a morepotentanti-arthritic formulation.Useasoftenasneeded for reliefofpain. 2. Eucalyptus oil: The aromatic leaves of gum trees native to Australia, mainly Eucalyptus globulus, are used for extracting this oil, It has a characteristic strong, penetrating smell. Eucalyptol is the main component of the oil, but it has several other active agents that provide a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Rubbing eucalyptus oil diluted in a carrier oil over swollen and aching joints often brings quick relief, but it can cause skin irritation in many people. Test in a small patch of skin before using this oil. 3. Ginger oil: Ginger is better known as a culinary spice, but it has wide- ranging therapeutic uses too. The excellent anti-inflammatory effect of ginger oil is useful in treating a variety of inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. The essential oil of ginger is extracted from the unpeeled rhizome of Zingiber officinale. Apart from its signature chemical component zingiberene, the oil contains several potent phytochemicals such as geraniol, geranial, neral, borneol, camphene, etc. Massage ginger oil diluted in a carrier oil into the affected area and use a warm compress to enhance absorption. Try mixing it with essential oils of lavender or lemongrass. 4. Lavender oil: Lavender oil, extracted from the flower buds of Lavandula angustifolia, is well known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. People with rheumatoid arthritis often report a drastic improvement in their symptoms when lavender oil is applied topically. 3-5 drops of this sweet-smelling, mild oil can be used by most without dilution for instant pain relief but diluting in a teaspoon of carrier oil is advisable to avoid skin irritation. Rub it in with a circular motion and repeat as and when necessary. It improves blood circulation in the area and reduces inflammation. Lavender has a soothing effect on the mind too, which can help relieve the frustration associated with severe arthritis. 5. Cayenne pepper oil: The pungent Cayenne pepper oil is extracted from the fiery chilies carrying the same name. It has excellent analgesic properties, but it has to be repeatedly used for several days before the effect becomes apparent. Capsaicin is the primary active ingredient, and it brings about pain relief by depleting substance P, a neurotransmitter peptide that gets released as a response to inflammation. This molecule is responsible for carrying pain sensations to the brain, and capsaicin counteracts this process. Apply a few drops of cayenne pepper oil mixed with coconut oil, 2-3 times a day for several weeks. If skin irritation occurs, stop use and consult a health care practitioner. The resulting pain relief often lasts three months or more. 6. Rosemary oil: Rosemary oil extracted from the leaves of the shrub Rosmarinus officinalis is both analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The main component of the oil, rosmarinic acid, is responsible for this effect, but other bioactive substances also may have a supporting role. In several lab studies, rosmarinic acid was found to inhibit the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in rats. It probably has a similar effect in people afflicted with this autoimmune condition where their WBCs cause loss of cartilage. 7. Frankincense oil: Oil of Frankincense is made from the dried resin of some trees in theBoswelliagenus,native toAfricaand theMiddleEast.Frankincense had been used in many religious ceremonies for its purported capacity to enhance spiritual experiences.
8. Myrrh oil: Myrrh is obtained from the resinous deposits of Commiphora molmol, a thorny bush native to Egypt and Jordan. Myrrh, along with frankincense, used to be a common item of incense in many ancient religious traditions and had been used medicinally for various conditions. The anti-inflammatory effect of Myrrh has been extensively studied and is found to be equivalent to the NSAIDS used for treating arthritis. Myrrh oil mixed with olive oil can be applied to the affected joints. It reduces swelling in the limbs by lowering the levels of an inflammatory substance leukotaxine. This substance is usually produced when tissues are injured. 9. Lemongrass oil: This sweet-smelling, citrusy oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon citratus grass. In the Ayurvedic therapy for arthritis, the steam from lemongrass boiling in water is directed towards the affected joints.The warmth from the steam facilitates the absorption of the oil deep into the tissues. This provides long-lasting pain relief. Lemongrass oil is astringent and diuretic, drawing out excess fluid from the tissues and driving it out of the body. This helps in combating the widespread inflammation characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Another major advantage of lemongrass oil is its antidepressant effect, which can help reduce the feeling of insecurity and depression that plague many people with debilitating arthritis. Unlike many essential oils that produce an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect from salicylates, lemongrass oil has a different set of active agents such as Citronellal, Myrcene, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, and Nerol. It is a bonus for people who are allergic to aspirin and those taking blood-thinning drugs. 1 0. Birch oil/Sweet Birch oil: The essential oil of birch is extracted from the barkof thebirch treeBetula lenta. Ithasasweet,camphor-likesmellandstrong anti-inflammatoryandanalgesiceffect,whichcomes from itsmethylsalicylate and salicylic acid content. It is reportedly as effective as corticosteroids in relieving pain and joint swelling from gout, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis. The strong astringent property of the oil quickly reduces the fluid collection around the joints, improving their range of motion. Birch oil is a common component of many anti-arthritic formulations and pain salves, but the pure oil has to be used with caution. It is usually combined with lemongrass oil and diluted with carrier oils before applying on inflamed joints. Birch oil should not be used by the elderly or patients on blood thinning medication. Maximize the therapeutic effect by combining different essential oils A combination of 2 or more essential oils can often provide even more pain relief than individual ones. For example, you can mix ten drops each of the essential oils of Birch, Lemongrass, and Geranium with a carrier oil to get an excellent pain rub for aching joints. Similarly, combine different essential oils to make an arthritis busting personal formula to suit your needs. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so they should be diluted appropriately with carrier oils like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil etc. Mix in melted beeswax to get an ointment-like consistency that makes it easier to carry around. Patterson, Susan. (2016, June 28). 10 Essential OilsThat Can Seriously Relieve Arthritis. Retrieved from http://www.naturallivingideas.com/essential-oils- for-arthritis/
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