Muscle aches are a common complaint, resulting from a variety of issues, whether chronic, stress-related, triggered by exercise, and so many more causes. Most muscle aches are easy enough to treat at home with natural remedies such as anti-inflammatory oils, relaxation techniques, movement, and stretching.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for muscle cramps are:
• Black pepper
• Clove
• Helichrysum
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
Safety First
Seek advice from your healthcare professional if you’ve been in an accident or are seriously injured.
Aromatherapy can work wonders on sore and aching muscles using these techniques.
• Muscle massage. Applying essential oils with massage is beneficial for relief of soreness and muscle strain.
• Soothing soak. When you’ve overdone it and your whole body aches, it may be time for a soak in soothing oils. Add analgesic oils to hot water for allover relief.
• Hot or cold compress. Both heat and ice can help relieve muscle soreness and spasms, so which one you use depends on what works best for you. Whether you use a hot or cold compress, adding essential oils can compound its benefits.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Try herbal remedies. Turmeric, green tea, ginger, and comfrey are excellent anti-inflammatories taken in tea form, as supplements, and with foods.
• Get some sun. Vitamin D (from sun or supplement) can help reduce muscle pain and spasms.
• Rest up. Give your muscles a little time to recuperate and repair before jumping back into strenuous work or use.
These aromatherapy remedies may help relieve sore, aching, cramping, and strained muscles.
This recipe makes enough for repeated use. It’s great for an active lifestyle or for chronic muscle strain.
20 drops clove oil
20 drops black-pepper oil
20 drops peppermint oil
2 ounces carrier oil
1 small dark-glass bottle
Add all of the oils to the glass bottle and shake to blend. Massage onto sore muscles, as needed. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Escalate results of the pain-relieving oils in the Clove Muscle Massage with hot or cold water—whichever feels better to you. You can even alternate for maximum relief.
2 drops helichrysum oil
2 drops black-pepper oil
2 drops lemongrass oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
1 cup hot or cold water
1 clean washcloth
Combine the oils in a large bowl, then stir in the water. Soak the washcloth in the water, wring it out, and apply it to sore muscles. Hold it there until the washcloth comes to room temperature. Repeat the process with a fresh cloth, as needed.
When you ache all over, slip into a hot bath packed with three powerful remedies: black pepper to reduce inflammation, lemongrass to relieve pain, and Epsom salts to relax muscles.
10 drops black-pepper oil
12 drops lemongrass oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup Epsom salts
½ cup coarse sea salt
½ cup baking soda
1 dark-glass pint jar
In a large glass bowl, combine the oils. Add in the Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into your jar. Add ¼ to ½ cup of the blend to a hot bath.