There are many different ways muscles can get hurt such as a sprain or a strain. Sometimes just a hard workout can make them sore temporarily. Finding relief from inflammation or pain doesn’t require knowing exactly what’s wrong, you just want to find relief from the discomfort fast! There may be a non-medicinal solution for helping you be rid of the pain or swelling. Essential oils are extracted from flowers and other parts of plants. They may be beneficial for easing tired and sore muscles.

Reasons to Use Essential Oils for Muscle Pain

Most often we turn to over-the-counter or prescription pain medications or muscle relaxers to help relieve strained or sore muscles. They can bring some temporary relief, but don’t work to relieve the actual issue. Medications that are taken orally disperse throughout the entire body but do little to target the exact area of discomfort. A muscle strain or pain needs individualized attention. A topical approach can be much more effective than a general one. Essential oils can provide real relief. There are not any known side effects from using oils such as drowsiness, feeling “foggy,” or other more serious side effects. There is also no danger of becoming addicted as there is with many medications.

Ways to Use EOs for Painful Muscles

No matter what you are using essential oils for, it’s important to know how to harness their power so you can use them safely. EOs are very concentrated so it only takes a few drops to achieve the desired result. When using essential oil for muscle pain, you are going to be using them topically. There are three basic ways you can use them to relieve your discomfort.

1. Essential oils can be added to a bath to help relieve the tightness and help achy muscles relax.
2. Mix oils with your choice of carrier oil so it can be applied topically as a massage oil. As the oil is being massaged into muscles, your body heat will warm the oil and you’ll benefit from its scent as well.
3. Use a cold compress. A cold compress often helps relieve sprains and swelling. Add a few drops of the oils to cold water. Put a clean cloth or piece of muslin in the water so it soaks up the oil and water. Wring it out and place it on the affected area.

Choosing a Carrier Oil

To make your own recipes for use on painful muscles, you’ll need to a carrier oil to essential oils. There are a few oils that are safe to use on their own, but many need to be diluted with another base or carrier oil. Essential oils are potent, and those that are pure and undiluted can cause skin irritation. Diluting them in a carrier oil tones them down so they are mild enough for topical use.

Carrier oils can also have medicinal properties such as antiviral, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-allergen and anti-microbial properties. Some of the most popular oils used as a carrier to dilute essential oils include:

• Argon oil
• Almond oil
• Apricot oil
• Avocado oil
• Castor oil
• Coconut oil
• Jojoba oil
• Neem oil
• Pumpkin seed oil

If you have an allergy to nuts or seeds, olive oil is also a good choice. There’s not a best carrier oil, it’s an individual choice. It’s best to test small areas of your skin to see which your body responds to best. After you choose a carrier oil, a general combination or recipe to use is:

• ½ cup of the carrier oil of your choice
• 8 to 12 drops of essential oil or oils of your choice

Keep the combined oils in a dark glass bottle and keep an air-tight lid on it. It should be stored away from direct sunlight, so the oils are not damaged. The mixture can be massaged directly onto the affected area using soft motions with your fingers or palms. This allows the oil to penetrate the painful muscle.

Essential Oils to Relieve Tension, Strain, and Pain

EOs are great to use for relieving muscle strains, sprains, pain, and spasms. But it can be confusing determining which oil to use for the symptoms you are experiencing. Here are some of the preferred oils to use depending on the symptoms you are having.

These oils are good to use to relieve pain or discomfort:

• Ginger essential oil has a warming effect which can help relieve muscle pain.
• Black pepperalso warms the body and helps alleviate pain.
• Clove EOis often used for pain relief and can have a warming effect on sore muscles.

Use these oils to help relieve tension and spasms:

• Clary Sage EO promotes relaxation and helps alleviate spasms and muscle tension.
• Juniper oileases tension while eliminating muscle spasms.
• Eucalyptus essential oilcan help reduce muscle spasms and cramps by its cooling powers.

These oils are good for relieving swelling or inflammation:

• Lemongrass essential oilworks quickly to help reduce inflammation.
• Arnica EOcan help relieve inflammation as well as soothe the skin.
• Peppermint oilis an anti-inflammatory but can also help relieve pain when massaged into sore muscles.
• Rosemary essential oilis a natural anti-inflammatory and can help relieve swelling in tissues and muscles.

You can also use a pre-mixed blend like Achy-Breaky to help relieve pain. It is already mixed with a carrier oil, so you don’t have to mix it up.