Whether you’ve committed to a new exercise regime, completed your ninth triathlon, or overexerted yourself in the throes of passion last night, sore muscles are no joke. Muscle pain can turn everyday activities like walking, sitting, and getting out of your car into minor feats of accomplishment.
The Dangers of NSAIDs
The common tendency is to reach for things like Advil or Aleve, otherwise known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). However, according to a 1998 study published in The American Journal of Medicine, at least 107,000 people are hospitalized and 16,500 deaths occur each year due to prescription NSAIDs. A 2009 study in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management reported that those numbers haven’t changed.
Essential Oils for Muscle Pain
Therapeutic grade essential oils contain hundreds of complex chemical constituents that carry anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anesthetic properties — without harmful side effects. Research has shown that lavender, peppermint, helichrysum, wintergreen, rosemary, and marjoram are some of the oils that consistently demonstrate pain-relief. [1]
Lavender: most often used for its calming effect on emotions, few people realize that lavender is also a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory. [2]
Peppermint: contains high levels of menthol, which produces a cooling sensation that works really well inflamed muscles. [3] I’ve mixed a couple drops of peppermint with lavender to soothe sore shoulder and neck muscles after a tough workout.
Helichrysum: a natural anesthetic that helps with the regeneration of nerves; creates a powerful, synergistic effect on pain when mixed with other oils. [4]
Wintergreen: contains a high level of methyl salicylate, which is a compound that makes it very similar to aspirin. [5] It carries anesthetic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties; I’ve used it many times on aching muscles, joints, and nerve pain.
Rosemary: has been used for centuries for pain; especially effective on arthritis. [6]
Marjoram: a powerful anti-inflammatory; works with smooth muscle tissue. Helps eliminate toxic build-up from cells. [7]
Homemade Massage Oil for Sore Muscles
When you combine therapeutic grade essential oils together, their pain-relieving effect is magnified. Essential oils also bring oxygen to your cells, which speeds up the healing process.
I love mixing two drops marjoram, two drops lavender, and two drops peppermint with an equal amount of quality massage oil or plain even olive oil. Rub it into sore muscles, and breathe a sigh of relief.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease.
Sources:
[1] “10 Essential Oils: Providing Pain Relief Without Negative Side Effects,” a consumer education brochure; Essential Science Publishing
[2] Essential Oil Desk Reference, 4th edition; Essential Science Publishing
[3] – [7] “10 Essential Oils: Providing Pain Relief Without Negative Side Effects,” a consumer education brochure; Essential Science Publishing