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Relieve Joint Pain with Essential Oils
Posted in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

Relieve Joint Pain with Essential Oils

Joint pain is something millions of people suffer from every day. The use of essential oils is one of the best and safest ways to help you handle the pain. There are two types of pain--acute and chronic--which affect the systems of the body.

Acute in general refers to pain that will end; pain caused by burns, broken bones, headaches, etc. Chronic, on the other hand, refers to pain that is persistent, worsening with time rather than getting better. Joint pain is often chronic, quite often attacking the hands first due to their complex arrangement of joints, bones and tendons.

When treating joint pain the first thing to do is look at your diet. Decrease your intake of simple carbohydrates and avoid coffee and red meat. Increase your dark green vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, wheat germ and oily fish. You need to treat the entire system. Your pain level is often affected by the overall health of the body.

Massage with essential oils is one of the most effective methods of relief. The following ideas are extremely helpful in providing relief and they can help you make it possible to control the level of pain and the amount of activity you can do.

Best Oils

Singles: Lemongrass, Sweet Marjoram, Juniper Berry, Helichrysum italicum, Helichrysum gymnocephalum, Rosemary, Lavender, Cedarwood, Coriander, Nutmeg, Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Ravintsara, Eucalyptus radiata,  Eucalyptus citriodora, Cajeput, Ginger Root, Myrtle, Basil, Geranium, Wintergreen Blends: Arthritis Plus, True Blue, Relieve Me, Sports Pro, Gentle Healer, DNA Repair

Some Tips

  • Gentle Healer can be mixed with any of the above blends for added benefit.
  • Sea salt baths are great to use when treating joint pain. They stimulate natural circulation and when used in high concentration, can help relieve pain symptoms.
  • Your best method would be to try out the different oils listed above and see which will work best for you. Sandalwood is good for smoothing out the skin and when mixed with Lavender has a lovely scent to it as well. Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender, and Eucalyptus work well as a blend. The Peppermint helps the blood move while also helping to cool down any inflammation.
  • Some aromatherapists use Rosemary and Lemongrass to ease stiffness. They can help remove lactic acid buildup in the muscles, which help cause stiffness. Add 1 drop each to 1/2 Teaspoon carrier oil and massage into affected areas.
  • You can make a cold or warm compress very easily with any of the above oils, as well as any of the recipes below.
  • Regular swimming in warm water is a great exercise for those who suffer from joint pain. It helps keep your joints supple.
  • If you are applying oils to sore joints, don't massage if it hurts. Just apply the oils gently. However, it it doesn't hurt, a good massage can help warm the joints, increase blood flow, and relieve the pain.
  • Whenever you apply heat or cold to the affected joints, be sure to move them as much as possible immediately afterwards. Otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of the treatment.
  • Vitamin A,  B complex, and E, as well as Calcium often help when treating joint pain.

Recipes

As always, you need to test on a small part of skin before using on a larger area. Make sure you can handle it before using on skin or in a bath. You want to help yourself, not make things worse!

Basic Massage Cream Recipe

  • 60 drops essential oil(s) of choice
  • 2 ounces Shea Butter
  • 1 tablespoon F.C.O

Melt Shea Butter and remove from heat. Add FCO and stir well. While cooling, mix in essential oils and pour into container. Allow to cool then cap and label. Apply 1-3 times daily, as needed, to affected joints.

Joint Pain Relief

  • 30 drops Arthritis Plus
  • 10 drops Gentle Healer
  • 2 ounces Shea Butter
  • 1 tablespoon Vitamin E oil
  • ½ teaspoon Lanolin
  • 3 capsules Evening Primrose oil

Melt Shea Butter and Lanolin and remove from heat. Add Vitamin E and Even Primrose oils and stir well. While cooling, mix in essential oils and pour into container. Allow to cool, then cap and label. Apply 1-3 times daily, as needed, to affected joints.

Pain Formula

Combine all ingredients in a dark colored glass bottle. Shake well for 2 minutes and allow to sit for 24 hours before use to let the oils synergize completely. Use a small amount as a massage or you can add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup sea salts and use in a relaxing bath.

Arthritis Support Bath Oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle. Shake well to mix. Add 1-2 tablespoons to running bath water. Soak for 15 minutes. Can also dissolve in 1 cup epsom or sea salts, add to running water, and soak for 15 minutes.  

Pain Relief Bath Blend

  • 3 drops Fennel Seed
  • 1 drop Cypress
  • 1 drop  Juniper Berry
  • 2 drops Lavender
  • 1 tablespoon F.C.O.
  • 1 cup Sea Salts

Mix all oils together and dissolve blend into sea salts then add to a warm/hot bath. Soak for 15-20 minutes. Use daily for only two weeks. While using it, don't use any other treatments including any other essential oils. (Before using, make sure you are not allergic to any of the oils used in the blend.)

After the two weeks, you can massage any of the following essential oils into the joints that are affected: Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus (any), Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Petitgrain Bigarade, Black Pepper, and/or Rosemary. Use 2-4 drops in 1/2 teaspoon carrier oil.

Juvenile Arthritis Blend

For use on those youth who suffer from joint pain. Mix all ingredients together in a dark-colored glass bottle. Shake well and allow to sit for 24 hours to allow oils to synergize completely before using. Massage 1/2 teaspoon into affected joints.

Inflammation Bath Blend

  • 10 drops German Chamomile
  • 7 drops Roman Chamomile
  • 10 drops Lavender
  • 8 drops  Eucalyptus citriodora
  • 2 ounces F.C.O.

Mix together and store in a dark-colored glass bottle. Massage a pea-sized amount into each inflamed area then take a bath. Can be used for children as well.

JC's Arthritis Cream

  • 30 drops Arthritis Plus
  • 15 drops DNA Repair
  • 3 capsules Evening Primrose Oil
  • 1 teaspoon F.C.O
  • 1 cup Shea Butter

    Melt Shea Butter, remove from heat, and add FCO and Evening Primrose Oil. Blend in essential oils. Put in container and allow to cool completely. Close lid and label. Massage into affected joints 2-3 times a day.  

    Finally

    Joint pain can be a crippling and extremely painful problem that lasts your whole life. Using essential oils in your treatment will help you in your efforts to control the effects so that your pain won't control you. If you have chronic joint pain, be sure to see your doctor and get checked for arthritis. Make informed decisions about what your want to do in your treatment.

    Do you have a favorite blend to use for your joint pain? Please share in the comment section below. Then everyone can benefit from it!   Disclaimer: Rocky Mountain Oils is not liable for any damage caused by use of these recipes.

    Each recipe was tested by employees of RMO and did not cause damage to home or person, but we still implore our customers to use caution before trying a recipe in their home. Test recipes on small areas before applying them to the entire surface and do not apply recipes to areas that are potentially sensitive (i.e. priceless Victorian tubs, Baby Grand pianos, etc.).