See Modern Essentials: Essential Oils for Pain Management

Everyone experiences pain. It shouldn’t be a big surprise that pain is the most common reason for doctor visits in the United States. Pain is the body’s natural alert system, warning the person about actual or potential damage to the body. Pain is a good thing because it motivates an individual to act––whether that is to withdraw from damaging situations, to protect that area while it heals, or to avoid similar situations in the future.

Generally, pain only lasts until the painful stimulus is removed and the body has healed, but there are times when pain continues even after the apparent healing of the body is complete, and sometimes it arises when nothing appears to be wrong. Even though pain can be a good thing, it can also greatly interfere with a person’s normal functions or the quality of their life.

A number of essential oils have anesthetic, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce pain. These oils include lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary, clove, cypress, white fir, helichrysum, geranium, frankincense, lemongrass, marjoram, melaleuca, peppermint, rosemary, and wintergreen (Modern Essentials).

Essential Oils for Pain Management:

(The following information has been compiled from the book Modern Essentials.)

Bone Pain:
Bone pain is a gnawing, throbbing sensation in the bones and has many possible causes, including fractures, cancer, infection, injury, leukemia, and osteoporosis. Oils: Soothing Blend, wintergreen, lavender, cypress, juniper berry, white fir, cedarwood, helichrysum, peppermint, sandalwood.

Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that lasts three months or longer. Oils: Soothing Blend, wintergreen, cypress, white fir, juniper berry, helichrysum, cedarwood, ginger, peppermint, sandalwood.

General Pain:
Oils: Soothing Blend, wintergreen, lavender, cypress, marjoram, white fir, helichrysum, peppermint, sandalwood.

Inflammation Pain:
Inflammation is the body’s reaction to infection and injury. It is characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain. The following oils are associated with both pain and inflammation. Oils: rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, Soothing Blend.

Joint Pain:
Oils: Soothing Blend, wintergreen, Roman chamomile.

Muscle Pain:
Oils: Soothing Blend, white fir, clove, lavender, lemongrass (ligaments), cypress, marjoram, helichrysum, peppermint, sandalwood, wintergreen.

Tissue Pain:
Oils: Soothing Blend, helichrysum.

Topical Application Instructions: Dilute the essential oil as recommended, and apply 1–2 drops on location. Massage diluted oil into affected muscles and joints. Apply as a warm compress over affected areas.

Source: Modern Essentials (“Pain”).

The information above is an abridgment from the Modern Essentials “Personal Usage Guide” section by AromaTools®. This information has been designed to help educate the reader in regard to the subject matter covered. This information is provided with the understanding that the publisher, the authors, and AromaTools®, LLC, are not liable for the misconception or misuse of the information provided. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body. The authors, publisher, and AromaTools®, LLC, shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage, or injury caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this information. The information presented is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.