If you’re an active person, you may have experienced sore, throbbing shins and shooting pains caused by improper exercise, lots of running, or overdoing activity. Shin splints are an inflammatory condition with associated pain. There are many well-known herbals and essential oils that reduce pain and inflammation, providing several options for home treatment.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for shin splints are:
• Cedarwood
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
Safety First
Pain that is thought to be shin splints may be due to a more serious injury. If your condition doesn’t improve, seek medical attention.
Shin splints can be excruciating, but these aromatherapy techniques may give relief and speed recovery.
• Leg massage. Dilute a few drops of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory oils in your favorite carrier oil, and massage your lower legs both after workouts and when suffering from shin splints.
• Soothing soak. A hot bath infused with essential oils and Epsom salts will relax sore muscles, heal inflammation, and relieve pain.
• Cold compress. Like many sports injuries, shin splints respond well to being iced. Use an oil-infused compress soaked in ice water to relieve your symptoms.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Get better workout wear. Workout and walking shoes need correct fit, support, and function.
• Don’t push it. Let the muscles heal fully before getting back to physical workouts.
• Seek sports training. If you want to avoid injury, learn proper form and movement.
You can think preventively, applying pre- and postworkout, or use these aromatherapy recipes for relief of shin splints.
The combination of anti-inflammatory oils, heat, and Epsom salts helps your muscles relax and heal after a difficult workout, which helps prevent shin splints. You can also use this recipe to treat shin splints.
12 drops peppermint oil
10 drops helichrysum 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.
This trio of essential oils relieve the pain of shin splints while helping to heal the muscle tissue. Shin splints respond well to both cold and hot compresses, with alternating often recommended.
2 drops helichrysum oil
2 drops lemongrass oil
2 drops lavender oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
1 cup ice 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 the affected areas. Hold it there until the washcloth comes to room temperature. Repeat the process with a fresh cloth, as needed.