Aromatherapy Pain Relief Remedies
- Get Healing with Essential Oils

It's hard to be happy when you're hurting. Arthritis, headaches, back pain - any kind of pain, really - can leave you tired, irritable and worn down. Trying to live a "normal" life with chronic pain dragging at you can increase your stress levels and lead to other health complications as you compensate for and tense against the pain.

Although aromatherapy is not a magical, pain healing cure-all, it is an excellent way to support your pain relief efforts, especially if you're looking for natural pain relief remedies.

How Do Aromatherapy Pain Relief Remedies Work?

It all begins with essential oils.

Essential oils have microscopically small molecules. When essential oils are absorbed through your skin or the mucous membranes of your respiratory tract and lungs, they're transferred into the bloodstream. Once the oils are circulating in your blood, they really get to work, reducing inflammation, fixing imbalances, fighting infection and so on.

Essential oils contain hundreds of natural chemicals. Although each oil has its own unique chemical components, what makes all essential oils special is something called "terpenes".

Among other things, terpenes reduce inflammation (pain, redness and swelling.) Terpenes also relax your nervous system and muscles, which helps ease pain, tension, cramps and muscle spasms.

In addition, essential oils trigger your limbic system, which controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory and hormone production. For example, when you smell Lavender essential oil, its microscopic chemicals immediately trigger your limbic system to calm your nervous system and relax your muscles, thus reducing your perception of pain and easing your sensation of stress.

How Do I Start Healing with Essential Oils?

Now we get to the good stuff. There are lots of excellent ways to use aromatherapy pain relief remedies - and the beauty of it is that, while you're reducing your pain and inflammation, you're also reducing your stress and strengthening your immune system - all without the negative side effects that often come with over-the-counter and prescription medications. Essential oils really are marvellous! Let's take a look at a couple of aromatherapy pain relief remedies you can easily make at home: bath salts and massage oil.

Aromatherapy Bath Salts - A Great Natural Muscle Pain Remedy

Bath salts are very effective natural pain relief remedies. Bath salts do three things:

1. They reduce your body's perception of pain. This works because, during a bath, your brain processes the sensation of the water's pressure and warmth instead of processing the sensation of pain. The feeling of the water on your skin overrides the feeling of pain.
2. They deliver the healing benefits of the essential oils through both your skin and your respiratory system. Anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, sedative.
3. The minerals in many types of salt reduce pain and inflammation, help muscles and nerves function properly, and sedate the nervous system.

You'll likely find that, after soaking for 20 minutes or so, you have a healthy burst of energy as well as a calmer mind and a more comfortable body.

Quick Trick for Making Aromatherapy Bath Salts

Dissolve two cups of Epsom Salt into your hot bathwater, then add one of the essential oil combinations below. Swish the water round a little to disperse the oils and slide in. Soak for at least 20 minutes to get the full therapeutic benefits.

Relaxing: 2 drops lavender, 1 drop benzoin, 1 drop marjoram essential oil.
Good for stress-related muscle pain, stiffness and spasm, as well as joint pain and inflammation.

Energizing: 2 drops eucalyptus, 1 drop palmarosa, 1 drop peppermint.
Good for achiness and stuffiness due to colds, as well as muscle and joint pain.

Warming: 2 drops coriander, 1 drop ginger, 1 drop jasmine or ylang ylang.
Good for pain and nausea due to illness or migraine, as well as joint pain and inflammation.

Therapeutic Massage Oil - Easy, Effective Natural Pain Relief Remedies

Massage oils are one the easiest natural pain relief remedies you can make, plus they really are effective. Similar to bath salts, they replace the sensation of pain with the sensation of touch; and they also deliver the therapeutic qualities of the essential oils through your skin and respiratory system. Not only that, but you can use them pretty much wherever you are (not just the bathroom.)

Here's a quick, easy recipe for making your own aromatherapy massage oil.

In a dark glass or PET plastic bottle, combine 1/4 cup apricot kernel, jojoba or sunflower oil with 8 drops lavender, 4 drops marjoram and 1 drop each cedarwood, chamomile and ginger essential oils. Shake to mix. Let cure 24 hours before using. Store in a cool, dark place.

To use, simply rub into the affected area. You can also use this blend as an all-over body massage oil.

Optional: Substitute 1 tablespoon borage oil for 1 tablespoon of any other carrier oil. Borage oil helps support mobility of joints and tissues.

This recipe helps relax tight muscles, reduce pain and swelling, and soothe the nervous system. Good for pain due to arthritis, exercise, falls, colds and flu, as well as general muscle stiffness.

Long Term Benefits of Using Natural Pain Relief Remedies and Essential Oils

You'll likely find, once you get in the habit of using essential oils every day, that you're generally healthier, happier and stronger. Essential oils build you up in natural, biochemical ways that are subtle but powerful. Once you get over the initial "Ahhh!" you may not even notice the change as time goes by, but it will be there.

You may find yourself turning to other natural remedies for minor health concerns, choosing less toxic body products, cleaning with non-toxic substances - all of which contribute to a healthier, happier you. (Save money, too!)

I encourage you to look at using essential oils, not just for pain relief, but also in other areas of your life - I promise, you'll be glad you did!

Contributing Author

Kyley Zimmerman Kyley researches and writes aromatherapy recipes, which she shares on her website Easy-Aromatherapy-Recipes.com.

You'll find dozens of free essential oil recipes you can use to take care of yourself and your family. Recipes to help you sleep better... lose weight... relieve stress... ease pain... improve your skin... and much more!

Essential Oil Safety and Disclaimer
Essential oils are powerful substances. Please use them properly in dilution, and never internally unless under the direction of a qualified medical aromatherapist.

This information is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This information is for information and entertainment purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation as to its fitness for any use.