Aromatherapy essential oils, massage and an understanding therapist can have a profound effect on emotional pain and the seemingly overwhelming nature of some of life's trials and tribulations. They can also be an equally effective source of natural pain relief to help ease many kinds of physical discomfort.

How do essential oils act on pain?

• They can help to ease and reduce inflammation.
• They have an anti-spasmodic effect.
• Some oils stimulate the circulation to such an extent that pain can be eased by the increase in blood flow to the area.
• Other oils ease pain by their effect on nerve impulses – by interrupting the pain impulse or inhibiting them.

Top 5 essential oils for natural pain relief

• Marjoram: Is a powerful anti-spasmodic for muscle pain and stiffness after exercise. It helps remove toxins left in muscles after intense exercise. Its warming properties make it an excellent but gentle circulatory stimulant – so it can be indicated for arthritic and rheumatic pain. It can also be used for colic, stomach and menstrual cramps in a warm compress or aromatic bath.
• Lavender: The soothing and amazing versatility of this wonderful oil makes it useful for many forms of pain – from headaches, bruises, burns, and blisters through to the pain of sinus infections and aches and pains from colds and flu viruses. Used in steam inhalations in can help soothe the deepest respiratory pain and congestion, and in a chest rub or warm compress it can ease the restricted breathing of mild asthma and the irritation of a tickly cough. Combined with essential oils such as Rosemary and Marjoram for muscle pain – it also has the added effect of enhancing the actions of the other oils with which it is diluted. Used in massage it can help ease the deep pain of sciatica, and can even be used to strengthen contractions in labour, whilst easing the pain itself. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory action makes it useful for a variety of skin conditions, including some types of eczema, especially if the area of irritation has become infected - its anti-bacterial properties and its capacity to stimulate skin cell renewal can be helpful here too.
• Clary Sage: Is one of the most powerful relaxants – this oil is indicated for painful, muscular tension – especially when stress related. It is also a powerful anti-spasmodic oil. This “euphoric” essential oil can produce an almost drug-like high and should not be used before a long drive, before operating heavy machinery or before or after drinking alcohol! It has a powerful relaxant effect on tense muscles, and it can help ease respiratory spasm of asthma and congestive conditions too, when used in a warm bath. Its warming, calming actions can be useful for digestive, colic pain, trapped wind and period pains.
• German Chamomile: Whilst all chamomiles are powerfully soothing, emotionally calming and have a supreme anti-inflammatory action – German Chamomile is particularly powerful due to its high proportion of chamazulene. It is useful for many forms of painful inflammation, including digestive inflammation of colitis, IBS and diarrhoea, arthritis and urinary tract infections – such as cystitis. Chamomile tea taken regularly can also help ease the discomfort. As a gentle diuretic it can help ease the discomfort of oedema, and fluid retention. Used in a cold compress, or added to an aloe vera gel, chamomile can also be helpful for reducing pain and swelling where there is an old injury prone to inflammation, for bursitis, for aches, sprains, inflamed tendons and RSI. For sore, red and inflamed, dry and itchy skin conditions such as eczema and urticaria Chamomile can be used as a hydrolat, in body lotions, oils or in the bath.
• Peppermint: Both Peppermint Tea and Peppermint essential oil can help to ease digestive pain and the pain of headaches and joint inflammation. Again, it has powerful anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory action. For the digestive tract it can help ease the pain and sensation of indigestion, trapped wind, nausea and diarrhoea. Used in massage – over the abdomen in a clockwise action – the oil and massage helps to mimic the peristaltic action of the gut – taking the tea will help from the inside as the massage helps externally. In steam inhalations, Peppermint can help ease the pain and infection causing sinusitis, as the penetrating menthol properties having a decongestant, antiseptic and soothing effect. Used diluted with Lavender and Neroli, Peppermint can help ease the pain of headaches and can clear your head when you are suffering from mental fatigue. Remember not to use more than 2 drops in your bath as it can cause skin irritation. As a strong stimulant it is not recommended later in the evening, as it could prevent peaceful slumber!

Top 5 base oils for natural pain relief

• St John's Wort (Infused Oil): Used in 10-50% dilution with a lighter base oil – this oil has a healing and analgesic action – excellent to help ease nerve pain for sciatica, neuralgia, arthritis and general aches and sprains. It is also a soothing antispasmodic, mixing well with Calendula.
• Arnica (Infused Oil): Arnica is particularly valuable for bruising and sprains and for easing muscular pain after sports or heavy exertion. It has healing, anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties which can help reduce bruising and relieve pain and swelling.
• Hemp Seed Oil: As an analgesic anti-inflammatory this oil is highly nourishing and is absorbed quickly and easily by dry, inflamed sore skin. Use diluted with a lighter base at 10-80% for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, arthritic conditions and muscular aches and pains.
• Avocado Oil: Used for its soothing, moisturising and highly nourishing action, it is used at a 5-20% dilution with other base oils, or creams. It is particularly indicated to help ease dry or mature skin conditions that need a regenerative boost. It helps ease the pain and inflammation of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and can be helpful for dry sun damaged skin.
• Calendula/Marigold Oil (Infused Oil): Supremely soothing this is the oil to choose to help soothe dry, itchy, sore and sensitive skin. It can be useful for its soothing anti-inflammatory effects on anything from mild sunburn and nappy rash to broken veins and mild varicose veins, through to bruises and eczema.

Aromatherapy recipes for natural pain relief

Headache Balm: Mix 50ml Aloe Vera & Rose Gel with 2 drops Neroli, 10 Lavender and 2 Peppermint. Massage into temples and back of neck.

Arthritis Balm: Mix 100ml Aloe Vera & Seaweed Gel with 4 drops German Chamomile, 2 Peppermint, 20 Lavender and 10 Marjoram. Massage into inflamed joints regularly.

Muscle Massage Oil: For use after vigorous exercise or for tense tight muscles - mix 10ml Calendula Oil, 10ml St John's Wort, 10 ml Sweet Almond Oil, 5 drops Marjoram, 7 Lavender, 2 German Chamomile and 1 Peppermint.

Massage Oil for Period Pain: Mix 10ml St John's Wort, 20ml Sweet Almond Oil and 5 drops each of Clary Sage, Marjoram and Lavender. Massage into abdomen and lower back. Alternatively mix the essential oils with Base Formula's Bath Oil or SLS Free Shower Gel and have a good long soak.

Joannah Metcalfe
Consultant Aromatherapist

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