Pain is defined as an individual’s actual or threatened physical suffering that incorporates unpleasant sensory and emotional responses associated with actual or potential damage to tissues. It can be of short duration – say hours or days or can be of relatively long duration spanning weeks, months, or even years. Pain on the other hand is important; it is the body telling the mind that something is wrong and requires to be addressed. However, pain which persists beyond the healing process is no longer beneficial but rather becomes harmful and counterproductive to the patient’s well-being.
Traditional analgesics such as NSAIDs, opioids and muscle relaxants may cause unwanted side effects like; stomach bleeding, drowsiness, nausea, constipation and drug dependence. For this reason, people seeking pain relief are turning to other things like essential oil as a natural remedy.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are complex aromatic substances derived through steam distillation or cold pressing from the organic substrates like roots, leaves, seeds or flowers of a plant. They are the real thing, the pure thing – an essential oil is the crude plant material in its natural state and possesses remarkable curative qualities when used orally, topically or inhaled.
However, it should be noted that essential oils are not like fatty oils such as olive or almond oil because they bear a volatile nature, which means that they can evaporate at normal temperatures. This makes it possible for their smell to spread all over in a very short time. Oregano, rosemary, thyme, tea tree, lavender, vetiver, eucalyptus all have distinct smell which activates the olfactory sense and impacts the limbic system of the brain, which controls emotions.
Essential oils can provide natural pain relief in several ways:Essential oils can provide natural pain relief in several ways:
- Fight infections – Many of the oils such as tea tree, lavender, lemon, and peppermint contain anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Rubbing them on affected parts, for instance over the inflamed joints or muscles reduced inflammation and pain.
- Analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects – Rubefacient agents such as black pepper, clove bud, oregano and thyme oil interfere with nerve impulses of pain by creating warm sensations of itching or burning sensations which block out pain sensations.
- Pain – The oil of lavender, marjoram and Roman chamomile are rubbed on the aching muscles to provide a miraculous relief. It also alleviates muscular contraction and relaxation spasms.
- Ease Herpes symptoms – Helichrysum, sandalwood, lavender oils improve nerve regeneration of the herpes affected area thus reducing the severity of the symptoms. It can work to eliminate neuropathic pain gradually.
Some of the way it reduces the emotional impact of pain is explained by the fact that the application of essential oils influences such hormones and neurotransmitters as serotonin, which defines a person’s mood and their response to pain. For instance, inhaling clary sage oil decreases stress and anxiety relating to patients with chronic pain.
The Best Essential Oils for Pain Just as heat is the most effective way of removing the dirt from garments, pain is undoubtedly one of the most effective methods of conveying a message to the body.
Here are some of the most effective essential oils for various types of acute and chronic pain:Here are some of the most effective essential oils for various types of acute and chronic pain:
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has been observed to lessen the perception of pain by modulating opioid receptors in the same way as pain relievers. Inhaling it also has a soothing impact on anxiety and depressive symptoms that tend to accompany most cases of chronic pain.
Use externally, externally, massage gently in the affected areas, such as joints, headaches, or menstruation cramps, 2-4 drops. It has a nice smell that can help with sleep if pain would interfere and prevent someone from sleeping.
Peppermint Oil
The Peppermint has the active ingredient known as menthol which cools an area and also numbs the sore area that is in pain. It has an analgesic effect, since it interferes with pain signal processing in the central nervous system. Another is the use of peppermint oil for tension headache where application of the oil on the temples and back of the head is effective.
When massaged on the abdominal area, it also relieves digestive issues and discomforts that normally manifests as backache and leg pain during the menstrual cycle.
Eucalyptus Oil
Per the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Eucalyptus oil, it helps reduce inflammation, redness and soreness of an injured or arthritic joint. Eucalyptus, applied topically, helps to open the blood vessels beneath the skin and thereby enhance the rate of oxygen and blood delivery when massaged into sore muscles.
The busy compound called cineole reduces pain by inhibiting nerves from passing signals to the brain. This makes eucalyptus especially useful for lower back pain as the aroma can be quite invigorating and energising.
Rosemary Oil
From this oil, we find some chemical compounds such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic, which help in curing headache, muscle pull and arthritis pain. If diluted and applied to the temples and forehead, the headache is lessened and minimized.
It can also be blended with a carrier oil into a homemade massage lotion for treating joint pains and peripheral neuropathy. Since it is a non-opioid analgesic that can block pain signals, it remains effective for hours after each treatment.
Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil influences serotonin levels and other neurotransmittees that enhance mood and alter the perception of emotional and physical pains. It therefore assists chronic pain patients manage discomfort they would otherwise experience, including depression, stress, and a reduced quality of life.
It is as simple as several drops massaged into tensed muscles or a few tablespoons added into warm water helps to relax muscles resulting from chronic pain. It is also helpful in treating anxiety and sleeplessness, which is because of its ability to influence the mood.
Ginger Oil
The ginger oil used in the preparation of this remedy possesses anti-inflammatory substances called gingerols that reduce cytokines that induce arthritic inflammation and subsequent joint degeneration. Using it several times a day relieves arthritis and other joint pain as well as stiffness and soreness in muscles due to injury. It also removes cartilage degeneration and lessens dependence on pain killers in the long run.
Ginger oil also has properties that can help eliminate nausea; therefore, when one applies the oil on the wrist or temples, he or she is able to manage migraine headache and nausea. It cools the stomach when taken internally by capsule and it aids digestion as well.
Ways on How to Use Essential Oils For Pain
To apply essential oils, there are three main approaches: olfactory, localized and ingested.
- Topically- 5-10 drops of essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, massage onto the skin or apply onto the skin directly on areas that need attention. Inhale the spray of the good smell that is found in the tiny droplets.
- Topically – To avoid skin irritation, dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. A maximum of 3-4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil should be used for intense pain that is acute and up to 12 drops for chronic pain that intense. Use it 3 to 4 times a day to the affected areas for relief of muscles and joints. If there is a possibility of a reaction, then it is advisable to do a skin test for sensitivity first. Do not get it to touch the eyes, ears and nose of anybody.
- Internally – ONLY accept oil brands that are recommended for human consumption as a food supplement or those oils intended for oral intake. This is recommended along with directions such as take individual dosage on the packaging. The absorption is through the lining of the oral cavity and the stomach tract with first-pass effects when entering the blood system and causing general effects.
Other Tips for Using Essential Oils for Pain:Other Tips for Using Essential Oils for Pain:
Mix various important oils to increase the efficacy of pain relief supplied by the oils. For instance, combining lavender, rosemary, and peppermint all mask attributes such as anti-inflammatory, relaxing, and analgesic as well as headache and digestive relief.
Use oils alternately every other couple of weeks rather than daily to reduce on the extent to which the skin will become used to them. Take some time off from the pain nerves and the receptors in your head once in a while.
Some of the important precautions when using essential oils include; storing them in dark amber or cobalt glass bottles with airtight lids and away from direct heat and light as well as moist conditions that may cause them to degrade rendering them ineffective. Refrigeration can prolong freshness.
One should always perform a skin patch test using the correct dilution of the essential oils before using them on the skin since some people may have sensitive skin or get allergic reactions such as rash, urticaria, or edema. If signs of irritation occur do not use it anymore. Avoid application of oils on areas that have sensitive skin such as the ears, eyes or nose.
Taking essential oils poses danger if not diluted in the appropriate manner made by professional aromatherapists. Are FDA approved and should only contain food safe oils where the process of planting, growing, harvesting and extracting has to meet stringent procedures to get a safe product with therapeutic values.
Do not take essential oils during the first stages of pregnancy or for a child that is below the age of two without consulting with your pediatrician or OB-GYN.
Essential Oils as a Painkiller or Pain Reliever Compared to Pain Medication
Although some essential oils are beneficial in chronic pain, mild to moderate chronic pain can be alleviated using essential oils that have been appropriately diluted for application and have the same effectiveness as OTC drugs. They also do not have side effects such as causing gastrointestinal bleeding or liver injury when used with long term acetoaminophen.
For initial days of intense pain say post-surgery or in degenerative arthritis, essential oils are used alongside the medicines that your doctor will recommend. Treat pain specialists as partners rather than competitors to be displaced.
Update your provider of other complementary practices you practice. For example, some essential oils have been found to possess properties similar to some drugs in terms of their effects on inflammation or nerve impulses. Your doctor can then help to explain integrative care combining both disciplines in safe and effective manner.
The essential oils have natural smells that are calm and has properties lika anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic to offer hope in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. They interact with nerves, brain receptors, hormones, inflammation, and healing – addressing pain in various ways and possess little to no probability for addiction or severe side effects. Lastly, use different oils in order to determine which type of oil helps you the most.