Which essential oils are best for pain relief?
Essential oils are used for a variety of reasons, and most importantly, they can help relieve pain, whether topically or via aromatherapy. They come in a variety of fragrances such as lavender, lemon, rose, tea tree, mint, and orange. Each fragrance has a specific function: some help relieve pain, while others help with conditions such as anxiety and sleep apnea.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils come directly from the hidden roots, seeds, flowers and bark of a plant and are compound extracts that are distilled into oil. The scent of a plant comes from the essential oils and is often used in aromatherapy.
How to use essential oils
Essential oils are made by distillation from various grasses, flowers, trees, leaves and fruits. You can apply essential oils topically or through aromatherapy. Lavender oil, in particular, has been tested in clinical trials to help endocriptic disruptors. In addition to being used in diffusers, essential oils are becoming an alternative or an additive to medication. Relieving stress, fighting depression, and overcoming insomnia only help on the surface of what essential oils can do – they’re also used as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and antioxidants.
Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Many different essential oils have been studied for pain relief, but lavender essential oil is particularly useful for post-operative pain relief. It can be used in aromatherapy and is also suitable for topical application.
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis helps kidneys that are not working properly by cleaning blood. In one clinical study, hemodialysis patients used lavender oil to relieve needle stick pain. The pain intensity of needle insertion was measured in three conditions: 100 percent topical application of lavender essential oil after insertion, no intervention after insertion, and inducing a placebo effect with water application. The results showed that topical application of lavender significantly reduced the pain when inserting the needle.
Perineum cut
This procedure can be done during childbirth to aid difficult births and can potentially cause mothers to experience depressive and post-traumatic symptoms after giving birth. Lavender oil is widely used during this process for its antiseptic and healing properties. In a clinical study at Kamali Hospital in Karaj, Iran, the lavender essential oil was effective in reducing the discomfort of the perineum after an episiotomy instead of following the hospital protocol.
Lower back pain
Lower back pain is common in many adults and people of advanced age and occurs for a variety of reasons. Depending on how severe the pain is, acupuncture is one way of relieving pain. Studies show that doctors use lavender essential oil with acupuncture for more effective results. After eight sessions of acupuncture followed by acupressure with lavender oil for three weeks, the results showed that the treatments showed success in terms of short-term pain reduction. While this isn’t a permanent cure, it is a great solution for extra relief if you have mild to severe lower back pain.
Aromatic oils for pain relief
Pain during caesarean section
Pain after a caesarean section can be so painful that pain relief is needed. Those recovering from cesarean surgery can benefit from inhaling chamomile essential oil. Every 4, 8 and 12 hours after surgery, only 5 percent chamomile oil was inhaled by the patients at a distance of 5 centimeters from the nose, with pain measured 30 minutes after each inhalation. The results concluded that the pain was reduced thanks to the beneficial effects of chamomile essential oil, resulting in pain relief with no side effects.
Coronary artery bypass surgery
This surgical procedure restores normal blood flow to a blocked coronary artery. Studies have been done to investigate the effects of inhalation aromatherapy after surgery. Lavender essential oil has been shown to significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and heart rate after surgery, but not systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Tonsillectomy pain
After a tonsillectomy, pain can cause discomfort. However, studies have shown that essential oil, particularly lavender, helps relieve pain and the amount of medication taken after this procedure.
Gya Labs Roman chamomile essential oil
This pure chamomile essential oil helps with pain relief. Its natural ingredients make it perfect for aromatherapy as it will leave you feeling calm and relaxed.
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Plant Therapy Organic Lavender Essential Oil
This organic lavender essential oil is one of the most popular due to its beneficial properties and is available in three sizes. Its sweet, dry, floral scent helps with anxiety, relaxation and nervous tension. Additionally, when added to the carrier oil, it helps remove scars and wrinkles.
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Eden’s Garden Lavender Essential Oil
This lavender essential oil is available in four sizes. It offers a sweet herbal aroma that aids in mental euphoria and restoration of the body. This hand-poured product is voted # 1 non-MLM essential oil company.
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NOW Essential Oils, Lavender Oil
This 100 percent steam distilled, pure lavender essential oil is sold at a reasonable price. It is used specifically for aromatherapy as it soothes, balances and normalizes.
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Aura Cacia 100 percent pure lavender essential oil
This 100 percent pure lavender essential oil is one of the most popular because of its soothing and relaxing aroma. It’s vegan and cruelty free and GC / MS tested.
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Essential oils worth trying
Essential rose oils
Rose essential oil helps significantly in relieving pain and anxiety, especially in women who have had a c-section and those with burns. Studies have been done to see how effective this oil is. In a clinical study at Motahari Hospital in Jahrom, Iran, aromatherapy with Damascus rose essential oil given to women after a cesarean section was shown to be more pain-relieving than lavender oil.
In burn patients, inhalation therapy with Damascus rose essential oil also decreased pain and anxiety intensity. Among other methods, doctors recommend Damascus rose essential oil because it is easy and affordable for many patients.
Rocky Mountain Oils blend of rose essential oil
Its strong, sweet, and floral aroma makes this rose essential oil ideal for relieving stress and pain. On the more luxurious side, a little goes a long way. This essential oil not only helps relieve pain, it also brings a sense of comfort and reduces loneliness and sadness.
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NOW Essential Oils, Rose Absolute
This affordable rose essential oil is made with jojoba and comes straight from the head of the rose. It’s great for aromatherapy as it relieves pain and tension, and provides comfort.
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Plant Therapy Rose Absolute Essential Oil
Plant Therapy Rose Absolute essential oil, available in three sizes, comes directly from the flowers of the plant. Its sweet, waxy, and floral aroma is known to promote calm and rejuvenation.
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Orange essential oils
Like lavender oil, studies show that orange essential oil helps with hemodialysis fatigue. Ninety patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly selected and divided into three groups: a lavender aromatherapy group, an orange aromatherapy group, and a control group. The results concluded that orange essential oil relieved fatigue.
NOW Essential Oils, Orange Oil
This cruelty-free, essential orange oil with a refreshing and invigorating aroma is cold-pressed from fresh orange peel. It’s vegan, free of synthetic ingredients, 100 percent pure, and a great way to relieve pain and stress.
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Plant therapy essential oil made from sweet orange
If you’re looking for a lighter scent, this orange essential oil is perfect. Obtained from fresh fruit peels and cold-pressed, it helps create uplifting and calming senses. It can also help with tension or pain.
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Garden of Life Essential Oil – Sweet Orange
This sweet, essential organic orange oil is GMO-free and is extracted cold from fresh fruit peels. Its calming aroma helps reduce stress and anxiety and provides an energy boost. Apply topically to sore muscles to reduce tension or use in aromatherapy.
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Organic essential orange oil 15ml from Rocky Mountain Oils
This essential orange oil has a medium-sweet, citrus-like scent. It is great for skin care and pain relief due to its calming effect. For best results, atomize, inhale, or apply topically.
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Tessa Schaal writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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