Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which is a band of fibrous connective tissue that connects muscles to the bone. While the tissues that make up the tendons are tough, rigorous, and prolonged, but continuous activity can cause inflammation or tear in the tendon. Using essential oils for tendonitis helps in healing it.
Performing exercise or playing a sport without proper conditioning and warm-up, bad posture, medical disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis or gout, are some reasons that cause tendonitis.
Did You Know?
People over the age of 40 are more prone to tendonitis because tendons lose their elasticity and become more prone to injury and inflammation.
The most common areas where tendonitis occurs are:
- Elbow
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Knee
- Achilles tendon
If you have the following symptoms, you may have tendonitis:
- Pain around the tendon.
- The gradual buildup of pain.
- Sudden or severe pangs of pain.
- Immobilization of the joint, especially the shoulder.
The following are ten essential oils to treat tendonitis at home.
Essential Oils for Tendonitis
1. Wintergreen
Why Use?
Wintergreen essential oil contains methyl salicylate, which contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds that help with tendonitis(1). Wintergreen essential oil is often used to treat joint and muscle pain.
How to Use?
- Wintergreen essential oil should only be used externally and diluted with a carrier oil.
- Mix wintergreen oil with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or jojoba oil, with wintergreen oil forming only 2%-3% of the mixture.
- Massage the affected area with the mixture.
How Much to Use?
Mix wintergreen essential oil with a carrier oil with the essential oil forming only 2-3%. Use as much as needed to cover the area, once or twice a day.
[Read: Relieve Shoulder Pain Naturally]
2. Chamomile
Why Use?
Chamomile oil has anti-inflammatory and pain killing characteristics that help provide relief from pain and reduces swelling caused by tendonitis.
How to Use?
- Dilute chamomile oil with 2-3 drops of carrier oil like coconut oil and massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
3. Sweet Marjoram
Why Use?
Sweet Marjoram essential oil acts as a painkiller and numbs the ache or pain caused by tendonitis providing quick relief. It also helps with the stiffness of the muscles under the tendon. It is one of the best essential oils for Achilles tendonitis.
How to Use?
- You can make a massage mixture using one drop of Sweet Marjoram, Rosemary and Cypress oil in 10ml of Sweet Almond oil.
- Alternatively, dilute sweet marjoram essential oil in a carrier oil and use this mixture.
- Massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
[Read: Essential Oils for Bursitis]
4. Lavender
Why Use?
Lavender(2) is a popular essential oil used to relieve joint and muscle pain. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds and has pain-relieving effects, which provide relief from tendonitis.
How to Use?
- Lavender essential oil is milder than others and can be directly applied to joint pain.
- You can dilute with a carrier oil like coconut oil if you have sensitive skin.
How Much to Use?
As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
5. Peppermint
Why Use?
Peppermint contains menthol which provides a cooling and soothing effect to provide relief from pain and stiffness caused by tendonitis.
How to Use?
- Apply peppermint essential oil directly to the affected area to get relief from tendonitis.
How Much to Use?
As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
[Read: Essential Oils for Rheumatoid Arthritis]
6. Clary Sage
Why Use?
Clary Sage contains anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce the swelling caused by tendonitis and provides relief from pain.
How to Use?
- Mix clary sage with chamomile oil and a carrier oil like coconut oil.
- Massage the affected area with the mixture.
How Much to Use?
As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
7. Helichrysum
Why Use?
Helichrysum essential oil is popularly used to provide relief from joint pain. It contains sesquiterpene hydrocarbons that are anti-inflammatory in nature. It helps reduce stress and tension in the joints and muscles, providing relief from tendonitis.
How to Use?
- Mix helichrysum essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil and massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
Equal parts of helichrysum essential oil with a carrier oil. As much as needed to cover the affected area, applied once or twice a day.
[Read: Essential Oils for Joint Pain]
8. Rose Geranium
Why Use?
The anti-inflammatory properties of rose geranium essential oil help reduce swelling and pain caused by tendonitis. It is often used as a remedy for joint pains like arthritis.
How to Use?
- Dilute the rose geranium essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil and massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
1-2 drops of rose geranium essential oil mixed with 8-9 drops of carrier oil. Use as much as is needed to cover the affected area.
9. Lemongrass
Why Use?
Lemongrass essential oil is used to provide relief from joint pains like rheumatism and arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and pain caused by tendonitis.
How to Use?
Mix lemongrass essential oil with a carrier oil and massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
Mix 12 drops of lemongrass essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oils, like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. Use as much as needed to cover the affected area.
[Read: Essential Oils for Treating Knee Pain]
10. Frankincense
Why Use?
Frankincense essential oil contains Limonene that acts as an anti-inflammatory compound and Borneol that has anaesthetic, sedative, and antispasmodic effects. These compounds provide relief from joint and muscle pain, which is why it helps with tendonitis.
How to Use?
- Mix equal parts of frankincense essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and massage the affected area.
How Much to Use?
Equal parts of frankincense essential oil and a carrier oil. Use as much as needed to cover the affected area.
Tendonitis heals on its own with external stimulants like a massage. Applying essential oils while massaging is a great way to get the health benefits of these oils to help heal tendonitis faster. Tendonitis needs adequate rest to heal.
Avoid using the injured part for activity, weight lifting or sports. Use a sling or support to prevent movement. With enough rest and stimulation, you will be rid of tendonitis.
[ Read: Supplements for Tendonitis ]
FAQs
1. Does Tendonitis Heal on Its Own?
Tendonitis is a condition that is caused due to the inflammation of the tendon and providing adequate rest will relieve and heal it. If there is severe pain and redness, you may have a tear that will need further treatment. Visit a doctor for such cases.
2. How Long Does Tendonitis Last?
With adequate rest, tendonitis should heal within 4-6 weeks.
3. When Should I See a Doctor for Tendonitis?
If the prescribed home remedies do not help in relieving pain even after 4 weeks, if you have redness in the affected area, if you have unbearable pain, or if you have a high fever, you need to see a doctor as the tendonitis might be severe or you may have a tear in the tendon or muscle.
