Arthritis is a medical condition causing immense pain and stiffness that can worsen with time, and the cause of pain depends on the type of arthritis. Arthritis mainly covers joints and caused due to weaken or soften tissues around the bone. Our body has cartilage tissues near joints which acts as a shield or resistance and protects them from shock and pressure.
To allow smooth movement of bones these cartilage tissues play an important role. We cannot simply predict the cause of disease because there are more than a hundred types of arthritis doctor diagnoses. But the most common ones are Osteoarthritis Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hence collectively this pain in joints is termed as ‘Arthritis’.
Arthritis is unpredictable, symptoms may appear in a few days or it develops over time. The way we massage essential oils on body parts in case of swelling or small injury, in the same way, essential oils are useful for arthritis treatment. Massaging essential oils on joints help to provide lubricant necessary for bone movement. Essential oil’s natural ingredients help to recover from arthritis faster. Let us see some essential oils for arthritis treatment.
Types, Symptoms, And Causes Of Arthritis
Arthritis(1) does not have any fixed number of types. Depending on affected are or joints arthritis covers more than a hundred types. But two most common arthritis types are Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Some types of arthritis are as below:-
Types
- Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is related to the cartilage tissue that surrounds our joints and bones. Natural breakdown of cartilage tissues due to an injury or infection. The cause of symptoms in many cases is dominantly hereditary.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Cartilage tissue of our body sustains on a fluid that soft tissue called Synovium of our body. When the immune system of our body attacks the tissues it affects synovium. This disease of synovium destroys the joint. This medical condition is called Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Gouty Arthritis: The inability of the kidney to handle excess uric acid and channelling calcium to the portion of bone to maintain its toughness is Gouty Arthritis. The creation of uric acid crystals in joint due to kidney failure in handling uric acid is gouty arthritis.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies For Inflammation and Pain]
Symptoms
- Pain in joints and nearby area
- Difficulty in walking and joint movement in general
- Stiffness in joints and swelling
- Fatigue
- Tiny bumps over joints
Causes
Arthritis can occur due to the following reasons:-
- Injury
- Abnormal metabolism
- Hereditary factors
- Infections
- Immune system dysfunction
- Wear and tear of the cartilage in joints
What Essential Oils Are Good For Arthritis?
Essential oils are natural remedies for arthritis and its symptoms. Any movement of our body is smoother due to cartilage tissues near our joints. The Syvonium are some soft tissues secreting nutritious fluid for cartilage joints and help in free movement of any joint. An injury to cartilage tissues result in distortion of syvonium. Due to which it causes severe pain in joints during movement.
There many other symptoms of different types of arthritis. It is mainly observed in old age people, mostly people above 65. Collectively, pain in one or many joints is arthritis. Treating arthritis is a must in the initial stage so as to reduce the pain and other symptoms.
Essential oils like Peppermint oil, Ginger oil, Eucalyptus oil, CBD oil, Lavender oil and Rosemary oil are some essential oils use as an essential oil for arthritis.
Every essential oil has its own natural properties. Each one helps to get rid of arthritis. But how to optimally use them and their way of usage is an important point. Essential oils are home remedies that help in dealing with how to get rid of arthritis.
Essential oils have properties like peppermint oil has menthol which acts as a coolant and calm the pain area, or ginger oil helps to boost immunity etc. Let us see some important essential oils in arthritis treatment.
How To Use Essential Oils For Arthritis?
We present to you ten of the best essential oils to help you manage and treat the pain and stiffness from arthritis.
1. Peppermint Oil For Arthritis
This spearmint and water-mint hybrid has numerous medicinal uses and has a strong and pungent smell.
Why One Should Use Peppermint Oil For Arthritis?
Peppermint oil has excellent anti-inflammatory properties and helps in significantly reducing swelled up joints and pain. It also has a slight anaesthetic effect that helps in relaxing and relieving the pain.
How To Use Peppermint Oil For Arthritis?
Take 5-10 drops of peppermint oil and dilute it in 2 tablespoons of warm coconut oil to make a salve and applied directly to the sore joint. It can also be used without mixing with a carrier oil and merely applying to the affected area after dilution.
2. Eucalyptus Oil For Arthritis
Leaves of the Eucalyptus tree are aromatic and have a robust penetrating smell.
Why One Should Use Eucalyptus Oil For Arthritis?
Eucalyptus oil has eucalyptol and many other compounds that give it strong anti-inflammatory characteristics(2). It is known to provide quick relief to swollen and aching joints and is mostly used to soothe flare-ups.
How To Use Eucalyptus Oil For Arthritis?
To gain quick relief, eucalyptus oil should be applied directly to the affected area. Since the oil is warm, precaution must be taken to properly dilute it with a carrier oil to prevent any issues.
[Read More: Eucalyptus Oil Benefits]
3. Ginger Essential Oil For Arthritis
Ginger is a well-known spice and is renowned for its wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties.
Why One Should Use Ginger Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Ginger oil consists of zingiberene, geraniol, geranial, borneol and several other potent anti-inflammatory chemicals that help reduce pain and swelling in joints and relieve soreness. Ginger is used in all cases of inflammation to soothe the pain and arthritis is no exception.
How To Use Ginger Essential Oil For Arthritis?
One can massage the affected area with ginger oil and quickly relieve the pain. Make sure to carefully dilute the oil before applying. One can also mix it with any carrier oil for application. Make use of a warm compress to speed up the absorption.
4. CBD Oil For Arthritis
CBD or Hemp Oil for Arthritis is a newly discovered concept. It is derived from hemp plants and is a type of cannabinoid but is not psychoactive as it is not derived from Marijuana plants which contain THC. THC is mainly responsible for the ‘high’ and CBD does not include the THC chemical.
Why One Should Use CBD Oil For Arthritis?
Cannabis oil for arthritis directly works on the pain receptors of the body. It’s a potent oil that leads to the natural creation of cannabinoids by the body to help soothe the pain by occupying the pain receptors and significantly reducing the pain.
How To Use CBD Oil For Arthritis?
One can merely apply CBD oil on the affected area. A simple massage with the oil will help to relieve the pain.
5. Lavender Essential Oil For Arthritis
Lavender oil is extracted from the lavender flower buds and is a well-known remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Why One Should Use Lavender Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Lavender oil has well-known anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and is known to provide relief to sore joints and swelling(3). It’s also known to reduce stress and provide relief from pain in joints.
How To Use Lavender Essential Oil For Arthritis?
One can use 3-5 drops of Lavender oil to directly apply to the affected area for instant relief. Alternatively, to avoid skin irritation in case it happens, mix it with a tablespoon of any carrier oil and apply.
6. Rosemary Oil For Arthritis
Rosemary oil is extracted from the leaves of the rosemary plants and has a multitude of therapeutic applications and medicinal usage.
Why One Should Use Rosemary Oil For Arthritis?
Rosemary oil has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties due to the presence of rosmarinic acid. It inhibits the progress of rheumatoid arthritis and helps in reducing the pain and inflammation of joints.
How To Use Rosemary Oil For Arthritis?
Inhaling the scent of the oil is useful in providing relief from pain. One can also apply the oil directly on the affected area after dilution.
[Read More: Health Benefits of Rosemary Tea]
7. Myrrh Oil For Arthritis
Why One Should Use Myrrh Oil For Arthritis?
The analgesic properties of Myrrh oil is a natural ingredient in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. Small portion of Myrrh oil is effective in the blend with any other essential oil.
How To Use Myrrh Oil For Arthritis?
Myrrh oil is mixed with anti-inflammatory oil and applied on joint pain and stiffness. Mix 2 drops of Myrrh oil in 16 drops of peppermint oil and massage this mixture well. Remember large doses of Myrrh oil results in side effects like the change in heart rate.
8. Frankincense Essential Oil For Arthritis
Why One Should Use Frankincense Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Frankincense is a proven anti-inflammatory properties and being a cool substance helps in pain reduction.
How To Use Frankincense Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Frankincense essential oil for Arthritis can be chewed. Also, it can be mixed with water and drink.
9. Orange Essential Oil For Arthritis
Why One Should Use Orange Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Essential oils derived from orange have anti-inflammatory properties. Citrus in orange acts as an antioxidant substance. Due to antioxidant properties, it interrupts an inflammatory response.
How To Use Orange Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Consume orange essential oils directly without mixing with any other oils. Avoid citrus contact with skin.
10. Turmeric Essential Oil For Arthritis
Why One Should Use Turmeric Essential Oil For Arthritis?
Turmeric essential oil has many traditional uses in Indian culture. It contains curcumin and it helps to protect joint inflammation.
How To Use Turmeric Essential Oil For Arthritis?
It can be consumed orally by creating turmeric teas or mix 2 spoons of turmeric essential oil in milk and drink the mixture.
Other Oils
1. Coconut Oil For Arthritis
Coconut Oil is widely used around the world for its excellent nutritional value and healing abilities. It is a highly essential oil for arthritis pain management as it significantly reduces inflammation with the help of antioxidants.
Why One Should Use Coconut Oil For Arthritis?
The anti-inflammatory effect of coconut oil is equivalent to that of NSAIDS and is an extremely potent oil to treat soreness and swelling of joints along with reducing pain.
How To Use Myrrh Oil For Arthritis?
It is applied directly to the affected area directly.
2. Castor Oil For Arthritis
Castor oil is a multi-faceted oil that is usable as a remedy in many conditions. It helps in significantly alleviating the soreness and pain in the joints due to arthritis.
Why One Should Use Castor Oil For Arthritis?
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which is a proven anti-inflammatory chemical. It can significantly reduce swelling around the joints and help relieve sore joints and is very potent when treating joint injuries.
How To Use Castor Oil For Arthritis?
Just soak a cloth in castor oil and place it on the affected joints and the swollen parts of the body. One can further put a hot water bottle or container over the soaked cloth to help with the absorption and effectiveness of the oil.
3. Fish Oil For Arthritis
Fish oil has always been around and has been used extensively as an all-around remedy for body ailments.
Why One Should Use Fish Oil For Arthritis?
Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids which are highly efficient in arthritis. Fish oil is rich in DHA and EPA both of which is capable of reducing inflammation and reduce swelling and pain in joints and other body parts.
How To Use Fish Oil For Arthritis?
Fish oil comes in the form of capsules which must be taken orally. Ingesting these capsules is enough to help reduce soreness and swelling in joints and alleviating the pain.
4. Emu Oil For Arthritis
Emu oil is a traditional Australian remedy that has been around in Australian natural remedies since time immemorial and is a great way to reduce the pain and swelling of joints.
Why One Should Use Emu Oil For Arthritis?
Emu oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains Omega 9 which makes it a quick absorbent and speeds up the effect of the oil on sore and painful joints.
How To Use Emu Oil For Arthritis?
Gently massaging the affected area with emu oil can have quick effects. One can also take emu oil capsules to affect the inflammation from the inside.
Risks And Precautions
Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people every year and causes severe pain and inconvenience. One can easily give in to using essential oils to ease the pain all the time which can cause serious long-term effects.
Essential oils should be used in limited quantities and as advised by the healthcare expert. You must familiarise yourself with the concept regarding how to prevent the side-effects of over-dosage before starting to use essential oils. They must be mixed with suitable carrier oils and must not be overused.
Other Home Remedies For Arthritis
Essential oils are a potent way to fight arthritis, but one must not forget other home remedies which have been present in cultures throughout the world to help in arthritis:-
- Exercise to lose weight
Incorporate some essential outdoor activities into your daily routine to help you reduce weight as it would lessen the burden on your joints to help ease the pain.
- Turmeric
It has numerous medicinal applications and is a part of almost all home remedies for various conditions. Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is of great help in reducing the pain from swollen joints. Add adequate quantities of turmeric to your food daily to observe significant improvement.
- Hot and Cold Treatment
A long hot shower can help in alleviating the pains from your joints and get rid of stiffness from your bones in the morning and keep your joints loose.
Ice packs can help to relieve the joint pains and swelling by bringing the nerve activity in the affected area down.
[Read: Cure Arthritis with Physiotherapy]
FAQ’s
1. My skins got red after using essential oils. What to do?
You may be allergic to the components in the essential oil or might have used the oil directly. Ask a healthcare expert to recommend a suitable essential oil and use carriers to apply the oil on the affected area. Also, remember to dilute the oil adequately.
2. Will there be any side effect of essential oil?
No there will not be any side effect of essential oils. But to accelerate its effect and reduce chances of risk one should follow instructions about usage of essential oils.
Arthritis is considered a mostly unavoidable condition during old age, but people forget that it can be avoided by merely incorporating a healthy lifestyle and some easy to follow home remedies. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can do wonders and save you from severe pain during the golden years of your life.
