Essential oils can be diluted and applied to the skin or inhaled through aromatherapy. They can also be added to a bath.
Wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate) and peppermint oil produce a cooling and tingling sensation when applied topically, which may explain why they are the main ingredients in Bengay and Icy Hot pain relieving ointments.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on sore, achy muscles. It also has antispasmodic, analgesic and antimicrobial properties. It can relieve headache, muscle aches and joint pain when inhaled or applied to the skin. It can also reduce swelling and itching from conditions like hives or poison ivy.
It’s a natural expectorant, helping to open sinuses and loosen mucus that can cause coughing. It’s also known to ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, studies show that enteric-coated forms of peppermint oil may help relieve indigestion and stomach cramps (see below).
When buying essential oils, always choose those that have been carefully harvested and distilled, and purchase them in dark-colored glass bottles to avoid tainting. You should also consult your doctor before trying any herbal remedies, including essential oils. They might interact with some medications and herbs can be dangerous for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.
2. Lavender
Lavender has a well-deserved reputation for its soothing scent. The aroma may help reduce anxiety and stress. It can also ease headache pain and other aches and pains.
Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it a natural treatment for skin issues, including athlete’s foot and ringworm. Mix lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply to affected areas.
You can grow your own lavender in a small garden or pick it up from a plant nursery. Or you can make your own lavender infused oil by adding sprigs of fresh or dried flowers to olive, almond or another carrier oil. You can use the infused oil as a perfume or inhale it for its therapeutic effects. Avoid lavender if you are having surgery or taking any medications that slow down the nervous system, as it could cause sleepiness and breathing problems.
3. Helichrysum
Helichrysum oil is a powerful antispasmodic and analgesic that can be used to soothe pain. It also has a natural detoxifying effect on the body, helping to remove harmful toxins from the system.
Studies on Helichrysum italicum oil indicate that it has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial properties. However, more research on this plant and its benefits to the human body is needed.
Helichrysum oil has a subtly sweet herby aroma that smells like summer. It can be applied directly to the skin or inhaled through a diffuser. It is important to dilute any essential oils before applying them to the skin or inhaling them. Always test any new essential oil on a small patch of your skin before using it more generously, especially if you have any ongoing health concerns. The helichrysum plant is indigenous to many parts of Southern Europe, and this oil has been commonly used in traditional medicine there for its healing properties.
4. Marjoram
Marjoram is closely related to oregano, but has a milder flavor profile. It contains compounds like terpinen-4-ol, linalool and gamma-terpinene that offer anti-inflammatory, sedative and pain-relieving properties.
Adding it to a salad or cooking with it is a great way to add flavor. It also helps with digestion by stimulating the salivary glands, and can help prevent stomach ulcers and certain food-borne illnesses (like Clostridium perfringens).
Using marjoram essential oil topically may benefit your cardiovascular system by promoting strength, as well as alleviating pain and easing inflammation. Try massaging a mixture of marjoram and a carrier oil into aching muscles, or use it to ease menstrual cramps and back pain. It also has a relaxing effect when inhaled, making it useful for anxiety or stress. (9)
5. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil has been used for pain relief in traditional Chinese, Indian Ayurvedic, and Greek practices. It’s also a key ingredient in some topical analgesics that you apply directly to your skin.
It’s thought that eucalyptol, a chemical found in eucalyptus, helps to decrease activity in your sympathetic nervous system and increase the parasympathetic, which promotes relaxation and stress relief. It may also help to relieve muscle spasms.
In one study, people who inhaled eucalyptus oil before knee replacement surgery experienced less pain and had lower blood pressure afterward. This is probably due to a component called 1,8-cineole, which can make your sense of smell work with your nervous system to reduce pain.
6. Thyme
The antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties of thyme are believed to help heal cuts, bruises and scrapes. It also helps reduce inflammation and swelling.
Thyme extract and oil are used as a home remedy for coughs, respiratory conditions and bronchitis. It is believed that the compound thymol in thyme can help control or neutralize some bacterial, parasitic, fungal or viral infections.
Adding thyme oil to a diffuser can help clear the lungs and sinuses, and can encourage restful sleep. The oil can also be diluted and applied topically to help cleanse the skin.
Keep in mind that the FDA does not regulate supplements like it does prescription drugs, so they haven’t been thoroughly tested for safety or efficacy. Always consult with a doctor, registered dietitian nutritionist or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Especially, those with a history of high blood pressure, bleeding problems, heart disease or liver damage should avoid consuming or applying thyme oil to the body.
7. Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark oil’s menthol component soothes pain and provides cooling benefits. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, which can help with muscle cramps.
Its sedative qualities could promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, suggest researchers in a small clinical trial published in 2020 in BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. After open heart surgery, patients often struggle with pain, stress and sleeplessness that can prolong mechanical ventilation and increase risk of complications, length of hospital stay and healthcare costs.
Menthone, another compound in peppermint, has been shown to alleviate pain and nausea. A 2019 study of people with functional dyspepsia (bloating, indigestion and abdominal pain) found that peppermint oil and caraway oil reduced symptoms compared to placebo. Peppermint oil also contains rosmarinic acid, which some research suggests may alleviate allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion. It may also boost energy levels and improve mental focus.
8. Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile) is one of the oldest medicinal plants with documented healing properties. Its soothing and relaxing properties have been used to relieve insomnia, anxiety, indigestion and other common ailments.
This flower is rich in antioxidants and contains a variety of different bioactive compounds including flavonoids and terpenoids, such as a-bisabolol, the chamazulene derivative, and the acetylene derivative (7).
Research suggests that chamomile may help with several conditions, such as colic in infants, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal issues and allergies. It may also aid in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases and wounds. It can be taken as a tea, in capsule form or added to a lotion. It may even be helpful in treating a wide range of dental problems. (1)(7)
9. Peppermint Oil Blend
Peppermint oil’s natural cooling and refreshing properties help relieve hot flashes, soothe fatigue and energize the body. This essential oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties also offer relief for sore muscles.
Menthol, one of the main chemical components of peppermint oil, helps reduce pain from a sore stomach. A 2019 study found that a combination of peppermint oil and caraway was effective at alleviating symptoms of functional dyspepsia, such as bloating and abdominal pain.
When applied topically, peppermint oil cools skin and promotes cellular renewal. It is a great ingredient for homemade lip balm, and it can also be added to a bath blend to boost circulation, soothe achy feet and legs and combat dandruff. If using for aromatherapy, dilute peppermint oil in a carrier oil of your choice. [1]
10. Lavender Oil
Known as the “universal oil”, lavender oil is soothing, antiseptic, rejuvenating and insect repelling. It also helps with headaches and migraines, promotes sleep, and calms the body and mind.
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that contain chemical compounds that produce the plants’ fragrance. They are usually extracted by steaming or pressing parts of the plant (flowers, bark, leaves) to capture the plant’s phytochemicals. It can take several pounds of plant material to make just one bottle of essential oil.
When inhaled, the scent molecules from these oils travel through your olfactory nerves and can impact areas of your limbic system, which plays a role in emotions, behavior and long-term memory. While some test-tube studies show certain benefits of some essential oils, more research is needed in people. Always use essential oils with caution and dilute them in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, when applied to your skin.
