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Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils

Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils Essential Oil Benefits

Push yourself too hard at the gym or spend too many hours hunched over tackling the grout in the bathroom or go window shopping in those stilettos and you are bound to end up with sore muscles.

Depending on just how much you have worked those muscles, you may have some seriously tender body parts to deal with.

Most people take the dangerous way out when dealing with everyday body aches – painkillers! Unfortunately, these pills only offer reprieve for a few hours, but they exact a high cost in return.

NSAIDs are harsh on the liver and the kidneys. So, indiscriminate use of these drugs can have serious health ramifications.

Fancy Essential Oils!

How about you resolve to take a more effective and safer option from now on?

Yes, we are talking about essential oils blends. They work and they work fast!

In fact, with the right mix of oils, you will be up and running in no time. The best part is that unlike pain killers, essential oils preparations not only offer relief from pain but also accelerate the body’s healing process.

So, if those sore muscles are a result of your strenuous workout routines, these blends will actually work in conjunction with the nutrients and the exercises to help you build a stronger and leaner physique.

Plus, these oils are extremely effective in chasing away the blues and calming a stormy mind. Essential oil blends will take away the pain and leave you feeling fresh and happy.

But to understand how these oils help, you will first need to understand the physiology of pain.

Why Do You Get All Sore After A Hard Day’s Work?

Blame it on the micro tears in the muscle tissue – whether you spent hours slogging at the gym, jogging, hiking or simply running errands. Use a muscle group too much and too hard and the tissue is bound to develop tears.

You don’t have to worry too much about these tears because with the right nutrition, your body simply rebuilds the tissue, just stronger this time. But, even for the hardened gym rats, pain can prove to be a deterrent.

Why do you feel all that pain? Simple, the tears cause muscle inflammation, which leads to pain.

Regardless of how much you get used to your grueling physical regimen, from time to time, you will have to contend with soreness. Hence, you do need to keep an effective remedy on hand that will help you to beat down the pain.

How Do Essential Oils Help With Body Aches?

Pain causes both mental and physical distress.

Analgesic drugs cover just one aspect of the physical sensation of pain. They do little to curb the mental anguish that the discomfort is bound to cause.

In striking contrast, essential oil blends target multiple pain related issues. First, the active compounds in these oils help to bring the pain under control.

Next, they go about targeting the root cause of pain – inflammation. In the third step, the oils help to increase blood flow, which means the damaged tissue gets more oxygen and nutrients.

Better circulation also equates to faster removal of toxins from the cells. The ready availability of nutrients and rapid purging of toxins leads to faster healing.

And last but certainly not the least, these aromatic compounds work on the stress and the emotional center of the brain. So, they help to keep the production of cortisol (the stress hormone) in check, promote relaxation and help you to sleep better.

To cut a long story short, with essential oils you get better while you feel better!

Do You Need To See A Doctor For Your Sore Muscles?

If you cannot trace the pain to exertion or the lack of physical activity, you need to see your physician. Too many hours spent working out and too many hours spent cooped up at the desk can lead to body ache.

But, if you don’t have such a reason and particularly if the muscle ache is accompanied by chills, fever, nausea, lack of appetite and visible signs of bruising, you should seek medical attention at once.

What Are The Best Essential Oils For Sore Muscles?

Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils Essential Oil Benefits

1. Peppermint

Prized for its exceptional anti-inflammatory properties, this essential oil is often found in Ayurvedic preparations. When used in pain relief blends, peppermint essential oil not only reduces the inflammatory response but also alleviates the stress caused by the pain.

A natural sedative that is just as potent as the famed valerian root, peppermint oil offers fantastic results even when used against chronic conditions like rheumatism.

2. Sandalwood

Another aromatic compound that is coveted in the East, sandalwood essential oil helps to infuse a sense of calmness while it works on controlling the inflammatory response of the body.

Although it is not a counterirritant like some of the other essential oils in this list, it is very effective when used in pain management. The antispasmodic oil eases muscle tightness and cramps and sedates the entire nervous system, effectively dealing with both stress and pain in one fell swoop.

3. Eucalyptus

This pungent smelling essential oil is put to use against a host of ailments and pain happens to be one of them. Particularly, this warm oil can work wonders when used against sore legs, back pain, muscle stiffness and sprains.

Eucalyptus oil contains a bioactive compound known as cineole, which has been clinically proven to reduce inflammation and aid in faster wound healing.

4. Juniper

Extracted from tiny dark blue colored berries, juniper essential oil is often included in blends made to control rheumatism, and with good reason. This oil is a powerful rubefacient, meaning it actually draws blood to the area of application.

The added blood supply not only provides more oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue, but also helps in clearing the toxin build up. So, if you have swelling or tenderness, juniper oil will help with both.

5. Wintergreen

This is another warming oil that works as a counterirritant and targets the pain transmitting nerves. The warmth not only helps to relieve discomfort but also aids in faster muscle recovery.

In fact, wintergreen oil is often added to blends that are intended to prevent or limit muscle pain. The antispasmodic, antirheumatic and antiarthritic oil is a rich source of not just phytocompounds but also essential minerals and vitamins.

Together, these substances offer nearly immediate relief from muscle pulls, spasms, pain, tightness and cramps.

6. Camphor

In the Eastern parts of the world, camphor has been used for thousands of years to treat and prevent a whole host of health ailments. In the West though, it has received some bad rep for being too strong.

The truth of the matter is that as long it is used topically and in the right dilution, few natural substances are as effective against pain as white camphor essential oil.

It not only helps to reduce inflammation but also sedates the nerves in the area of application, thus offering potent analgesic effects. But only use white camphor essential oil in your blends and do not use this oil if you are pregnant, suffer from epilepsy or asthma.

7. Clove

This one again is a multipurpose essential oil that offers pain relieving effects that can easily rival those of most OTC NSAIDs. In fact, in one study it was found that the eugenol in thyme essential oil is as potent a pain killer as Ibuprofen (Advil).

Even when used topically, this oil yields significant benefits against muscle pain owing to its antispasmodic and tonic capabilities.

Recommended Natural Pain Relief Product 

My own pain relief blend, a.k.a L’orpur contains most of the above essential oils together with carrier oils and is blended in the right ratios which allows direct application on the pain-affected areas.

It comes in a 100ml bottle (vs similar products which come in at 30ml or less and priced more!); you’ll also get a spray head for easy application. Click on the above link or image below to read more.

Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils Essential Oil Benefits

Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils Essential Oil Benefits

Essential Oil Therapies And Recipes For Muscle Soreness

Recipe 1: Prevention is better than cure!

This pain balm concoction should be used before a workout session or any other physically taxing chore, to reduce muscle soreness. You will need:

  • 2 tbsp kokum butter (or any other hard butter)
  • 10 drops sandalwood oil
  • 8 drops camphor oil
  • 6 drops peppermint oil

Grate the kokum butter to a fine powder or melt in a double boiler. Measure 2 tbsp of the resulting oily liquid or 2 heaped tbsp of the powder and add the essential oils to it. Mix well and store in a small glass jar.

To use, apply the pain prevention balm on areas of the body that are prone to soreness like the shoulders, lower back, arms, calf muscles and thigh muscles.

Rub the balm into the skin for about a minute and then go about your workout session as you normally would. The biggest advantage of using this balm is that it help you to keep going for longer and it stops pain from being a de-motivating factor.

Recipe 2: Dealing with those sore muscles

This blend should be used if your muscles are sore to touch signaling the presence of significant inflammation.

The cooling blend will help to remove the accumulated uric acid and water from the tissue and promote faster healing while numbing the pain sensors. You will need:

  • 50ml extra virgin olive oil or sweet almond oil
  • 10 drops wintergreen oil
  • 10 drops juniper oil
  • 5 drops thyme oil
  • 8 drops camphor oil

Mix the oils together and store the blend in a dark glass bottle. To use, apply on the sore muscle and rub vigorously for a few minutes and then sit back and relax as the oil does its job. This blend works particularly well when used at night.

Recipe 3: A bit of warmth for those achy muscles

Get Rid Of Sore Muscles, Sore Legs And Body Aches Using Essential Oils Essential Oil Benefits

This is a daytime pain relief blend and one that should be alternated with the cooling, anti-inflammatory blend given above.

These two blends can be used 4-5 hours apart from each other if need be. For this formulation, you will need:

  • 50ml mixture of hempseed oil and extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 drops black pepper oil
  • 8 drops sandalwood oil
  • 6 drops clove oil
  • 4 drops peppermint oil

Mix the carrier oils first and then add the essential oils to the blend. Store the mixture in an airtight glass bottle.

Apply a few drop to the sore muscle and rub gently for a few minutes. This is a very strong formulation, so do a patch test before using it and don’t forget to wash your hands after application.

Recipe 4 – When you need pain relief on the double

  • A small spray/spritz bottle
  • 6 tbsp pure grain alcohol
  • 10 drops eucalyptus oil
  • 8 drops sandalwood oil
  • 9 drops camphor oil

Pour the alcohol into the bottle and add the essential oils to it. Cap the bottle and give it a shake to mix the aromatic compounds and the alcohol. Spray on sore muscles and let the blend evaporate on its own.

Recipe 5: For sprains only

  • 2 tbsp castor oil
  • 1 tbsp hempseed oil
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 drops camphor oil
  • 8 drops black pepper oil
  • 5 drops wintergreen oil
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp dry ginger powder

Mix the carrier oils and take about 2 tbsp of this blend and heat it for a few seconds. The rest of the carrier blend can be saved in an airtight glass bottle for future use.

To the hot oil (should not be burning hot), add the powders and the essential oil. Give the mixture a good stir and apply on the affected part, while it is still warm.

Massage gently in circular motion for about a minute or two. Cover the area of application with some gauze or cotton wool and then use a compression wrap to support the affected joint. Leave the compression wrap in place for a couple of hours or through the day/night.

Recipe 6: What is pain relief without a warm compress?

  • Handful of mint and coriander leaves
  • 1 inch piece of ginger
  • Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
  • 5 drops black pepper oil
  • 7 drops eucalyptus oil
  • 9 drops marjoram oil

Grind the mint and coriander leaves and the ginger to a thin paste using your food processor. Fill a large bowl with hot water. You will use this water directly on the affected area, so make sure it is bearably hot.

Add the herb paste to the water, followed by the essential oils. Dip a face cloth into the hot water, wring it and apply on the sore muscle/joint. Hold the cloth in place till it cools and then repeat till the water cools. This can be done 3-4 times a day.

Recipe 7: A warm, pain relieving bath!

  • 1 tsp coconut/sesame oil
  • 5 drops clove oil
  • 8 drops sage oil
  • 4 drops sandalwood
  • 6 drops juniper
  • 2 cups Epsom salt
  • 1 heaped tbsp of green tea leaves or 2 cups of very strong green tea

Add the salt and the tea to a bathtub full of hot water. Mix the carrier and the essential oils together and add this mixture to the water. Agitate to disperse the oils and allow yourself a leisurely soak in this soothing bath for 20-30 minutes.

The Final Word

Voila!

You can now follow the above potions or be slightly creative and experiment with some other essential oils that you may have at home or why not try L’orpur pain relief blend, which has changed people lives and now it could change yours!

Rating: 5

Christina Hanchen

Saturday 8th of May 2021

Dear Olivia, I realise My issue is a little complex, but I'll ask you just in case you can help. 2 months ago, I had a bike accident and injured my arm. I fractured a bone in my upper arm , just below my rotator cuff muscle and tore a muscle. I had surgery and have a 4 inch plate in place. But I have recovered only 60% mobility in my arm and cannot lift my arm very much. Ive been doing advised exercises. Plus I have slight hypermobility, thus apparently, deficient collagen. I've read that internal scar tissue could be blocking my recovery and I wondered if aromatherapy could help to break up the scar tissue. Please advise

Olivia

Monday 10th of May 2021

Hi Christina,

You may need to consult a doctor about this as it may involve a minor procedure.

Regards, Olivia

Robert

Monday 26th of November 2018

I've got rotator cuff issues in my left shoulder and refuse another surgery (my right shoulder is reverse prosthetic) this does relieve pain and irritation in my left shoulder when I over do it.

Olivia

Monday 26th of November 2018

Hi Robert,

Thanks for sharing.

Regards, Olivia

essentialoilbenef… Find out how to use the best 7 essential oils and recipes t… – Gout Cure

Thursday 6th of September 2018

[…] essentialoilbenef… Find out how to use the best 7 essential oils and recipes to get rid of sore muscles. […]

Rebecca Ellen Parker

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

Hey Olivia, I had a blood clot in my left leg and I have a lot of pain due to damage to my blood vein and low circulation what would you recommend?

Olivia

Friday 3rd of November 2017

Hi Rebecca,

You should definitely see a doctor re the blood clot. In the meantime, to assist with circulation, you could use lemon, basil, grapefruit, cypress, ginger, coriander, juniper, black pepper, wintergreen, eucalyptus or Helichrysum essential oils. Dilute 4-5 drops of any of the above essential oils into 1 tsp of almond oil and gently apply to the affected areas, twice a day. For pain, you can always use L’orpur pain relief blend.

Regards, Olivia

Olivia

Sunday 4th of June 2017

Question from CV:

Hi Olivia , I have had swollen ankles and feet for 37 years when I had toxemia of pregnancy with my first child . I wonder if there is a recipe for "very" swollen ankles in the heat and humidity of summer because it goes away in cool weather ? I have used coconut oil and myrrh essential oil in a 3% strength and it helps but I wonder if you know of any other oils that are especially effective to use on my feet and ankles in summer heat and humidity? Olivia's Response:

You can use a blend of 3-4 drops each of eucalyptus and peppermint and 8 drops lemon essential oil to 1 ounce of coconut oil. That should resolve the issue of swollen ankles.