Plantar Fasciitis, maybe a condition that is unheard of, however, the patients suffering from it don’t have it easy.
This condition is chronic heel pain, making it difficult to walk and even sometimes move. This is a common condition, that could cause pain in one or both of the heels. Plantar fasciitis is also referred to as Plantar fasciopathy, talalgia, subcalcaneal pain syndrome or joggers heal.
This condition occurs when the plantar fascia, the ligaments in the feet which act as shock absorbers when you move and run, become inflamed and damaged, causing pain and hindrance to the patient.
The potential treatment such as steroids and medication, tend to cause more harm and in some cases tend to increase the inflammation, making surgery the last option. However, several people have turned towards alternative and complementary treatment to avoid the gnarly side effects and to gain the benefits of natural healing. On the list of natural treatment, essential oils are concentrated plant extract that helps in dealing with pain and inflammation. Their use has been seen extensively in Ayurveda and several other ancient and effective disciplines of medicine.
Hence it is recommended that you try essential oils, this plant extract could help you deal with your pain and help you with your symptoms and treat the disease as well.
Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
This versatile essential oil comes in handy for countless situations and the miraculous respiratory benefits which it offers is a reason good enough for its usefulness, not to mention other loads of benefit. Besides, it helps get rid of IBS symptoms(1) and headaches too.
Why Does it work?
The analgesic property of this oil makes it an effective natural painkiller. The active presence of menthol in this oil provides a cooling effect that soothes the swelling foot as it helps with the inflammation. This oil is excellent to tackle severe foot pain.
How to use?
Two to three drops of this oil when diluted with a tablespoon of base oil bring much-needed relief from strained tissue owing to the cooling effect. It can also be applied to temples and forehead when a migraine is felt.
2. Geranium Oil
Extracted from the stems, leaves, and flowers of the geranium plant, this oil offers multiple physical as well as mental health benefits. Its aromatic smell makes it an effective natural deodorant besides being used in aromatherapy for multiple purposes such as stress, anxiety(2), and depression.
Why Does It Work?
The geranium essential oil has sedative, astringent and adaptogenic properties which makes it useful for people suffering from severe heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. It helps to alleviate inflammation and provide relief.
How to use?
Geranium oil can be used in healing foot soak which can be used regularly at night to get rid of the pain.
[Read: Natural Remedies to Cure Plantar Fasciitis]
3. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense Oil is obtained from the resin of Boswellia serrata trees. It dramatically reduces stress and alleviates depression without bringing side effects in your way.
Why Does It Work?
This oil has chemical compounds that act as anti-inflammatory, stimulant, analgesic, antidepressant and cicatrisant agents. This makes it highly useful for tackling intense pain caused due to plantar fasciitis. Also, it is an effective treatment for gout pain.
How to use?
This oil must be blended in with some carrier oil and applied to aching parts like soles of the feet and muscles.
[ Read: Effective Natural Remedies to Cure Plantar Fasciitis ]
4. Basil Essential Oil
Obtained from the herb of the same name, this potent oil offers multitudinous health benefits. This oil helps flush out harmful and unwanted toxins from the body and thus, purify the blood. It promotes healthy skin as it prevents acne and other skin conditions. Also, it works as a mood enhancer and muscle relaxant too.
Why Does It Work?
Basil essential oil is the go-to essential oil for plantar fasciitis as it has stimulant and anti-inflammatory properties that help allay the pain. To add on top of that, the antibacterial property of this oil further backs up your fight against plantar fasciitis.
How to use?
Topical application of this oil either alone with some carrier oil or in a mixture with other essential oils can provide much-needed relief against severe inflammation that afflicts you due to plantar fasciitis.
[ Read: Home Remedies for Plantar Fasciitis ]
5. Black Pepper Oil
This oil is obtained from black pepper, the dried fruit of pepper plant. Various properties attributed to this oil make it handy to tackle arthritis pain and improve digestion. Furthermore, it cures bacterial infection and eliminates excess gas.
Why Does It Work?
The antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of this oil make it an effective remedy to deal with the harrowing pain in the foot caused due to plantar fasciitis.
How to use?
This oil can be applied directly in diluted form, and it can be used in various DIY along with other ingredients to get rid of the menacing threat of plantar fasciitis.
Diy Recipes with Essential Oils
1.Healing Foot Soak
Ingredients:-
Foot soak tub, hot water, ¾ cup Epsom salt, ten drops each of peppermint and birch oil, five drops each of marjoram and geranium.
Directions:-
Pour hot water in the tub and then mix Epsom salt in it. After that, blend your essential oils in it. Now submerge your feet in this tub for 15 minutes twice a day.
2. Fascia Massage Blend
Ingredients-
Glass pipette, 8 oz amber glass bottle, 4 tbsp geranium and clove oil, two teaspoons of black pepper, eight teaspoons each of lemongrass, helichrysum, and wintergreen oil.
Directions-
Pour the oils with the help of pipette into the amber glass bottle. Take care so as not to exceed the required amount. Blend the oils well.
[Also Read: Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis]
Precautions
Essential oils are perfect gifts of nature only if they are used cautiously. One ought to be punctilious as any dissimilitude between the recommended usage, and actual usage will cost you.
Thus, one should always consult a healthcare expert and find out the right oil or the right kind of blend of oils for his/her condition. Moreover, the FDA does not monitor essential oils, and so it becomes your prime responsibility always to choose pure and unadulterated oil.
Side Effects
- As these oils are highly concentrated, so skin application in undiluted form can cause specific allergic reactions.
- Internal consumption is risky as it can cause allergic reactions and in rare cases, even death.
- These essential oils can exacerbate some preexisting conditions such as diabetes and even trigger an asthma attack.
- They may prove harmful for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- They can cause burns in sunlight. Also, the reactions from photosensitizing oils can cause skin discoloration and sores.
Dos and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do ensure that the oils you buy are pollution-free and pure.
- Do consult about your health conditions with your healthcare expert and find out the safety of such oils.
Don’ts
- Do not keep these oils in the presence of sunlight.
- Also, do not leave these oils at extreme temperatures.
- Do not use these oils without diluting them as they are highly concentrated.
- Never store them in plastic containers.
Many of us have faced this ordeal at some or other point of our lives. And about ten percent of the population suffers from this, which implies that many hapless people must undergo the pain and discomfort associated with this problem now and then. The pain is debilitating and can knock you down at times and thereby put a halt in your normal life by rendering you unable to walk.
Essential oils for plantar fasciitis are the perfect go-to option when faced with such a problem as medications are hard without unwanted side effects and surgery is risky and complicated. Essential oils get you out of such a trying situation naturally and without any unwanted side effects. If their usage as per the recommended manner, you can count upon the effectiveness of these oils without a shadow of a doubt.
[ Read: Exercises for Plantar Fasciitis ]
FAQs
1. Does CBD oil help with plantar fasciitis?
There have been several studies that have proven the efficacy of CBD oil in being an anti-inflammatory agent. Hence it could be used for treating this condition. However, it should be noted that whilst getting this oil, it is FDA approved and good to use.
2. Can Plantar fasciitis go away on its own?
No, it doesn’t. However, leaving it unattended, could aggravate the condition and make it even worse. Hence it is recommended that you try these remedies for the best results.
3. Is walking good for plantar fasciitis?
Even though walking becomes difficult because of the condition. However, walking everyday atleast for 30-40 minutes is ideally recommended.
