Let’s talk about chronic pain. Globally, it is estimated that 20% of the population suffers from chronic pain, which is classified as any pain that lasts more than 3 months and may arise even without injury. It can include things like arthritis, nerve damage and cancer pain – or it can also be caused by changes to the body after an injury or disease – e.g., a sprain, broken bone or infection. Whatever the cause, though, one thing is clear; pain is not nice to live with.
My own view on this is quite radical, because I see any symptoms of pain as a messenger from our body to let us know where we are out of balance and harmony in our lives. Sometimes this lack of equilibrium has gone unnoticed for years, with us ignoring signs and symptoms that were calling to us, before we ended up in deep pain. I lived with chronic pain for many years when I had chronic fatigue syndrome – and even more recently when I had Bell’s Palsy – and one thing I do know is that with consistency and determination, it is possible to ease. My own experience has shown me that my body will let me know if I’ve pushed myself too hard, and I need to slow down, tune in and listen to its wisdom. When we aren’t familiar with listening to our bodies, they will shout at us, at first. Slowly, but surely, if we listen, pain may be reduced by following what our bodies are calling for.
Essential oils can be pivotal in that process; and they are nature’s medicine. Highly potent plant extracts have been used in ancient cultures for years. If we work with oils that have helpful pain management properties, they can soothe pain symptoms directly, and – if nothing else, aromatherapy is a great self-management technique that can really help relax us and promote sleep – which does us the world of good when we are in agony. Chronic pain can create a lot of stress and anxiety, which only exacerbates it; so, the more we can relax, the more we can recognise tension in the body and mind, let go of it and relieve muscle tension – and then we will release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.
So, which essential oils are helpful when we are suffering this way? Let’s look at the oils you can use, both directly for pain symptoms, and for relaxation.
Please note: If you are on medication, please check with your GP before using oils, for any contra-indications.
Essential oils for pain symptoms
Our top essential oils for chronic pain symptoms are those which offer anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, because these two things are really serving when we are experiencing discomfort.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a minty oil, steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the peppermint herb. It is nature’s oldest medicinal painkiller oil and is one of the best pain-relieving oils, whether it’s for muscular aches and pains, headaches, migraine, digestive pain, or other kinds of pain. It’s an anti-inflammatory oil and is quite stimulating – so it’s also uplifting for the mind and emotions.
Blends well with Lavender, Eucalyptus and Bergamot.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a woody oil, distilled from the small evergreen tree. It is both anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic – and also quite sedative, so it’s great for stress, anxiety, nervous tension and low mood, too. It’s a great oil for the urinary system, spasm and tension.
Blends well with Bergamot, Patchouli and Frankincense.
Ginger
Ginger is a woody oil, derived from the unpeeled dried ground roots of the Zingiber officinale plant. It is great for debility and nervous exhaustion, and is also warming, circulation stimulating, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory. Great for rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fibromyalgia, joint and muscle pain and the stomach, this is an all-round wonderful oil for chronic pain.
Blends well with Lavender, Clove and Orange.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a camphorous oil, steam distilled from the twigs and leaves of the Eucalyptus tree. It is a wonderful anti-inflammatory oil, good for neuralgia and the muscles and joints as it constricts blood vessels.
Blends well with Frankincense, Lavender and Lemon.
Frankincense
Frankincense is a woody oil, steam distilled from the resin of the Boswellia carterii tree. It’s an ancient oil that is used for nervous tension, stress and panic. It’s also pain relieving thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Blends well with Lavender, Sandalwood and Lemon.
Clove
Clove is a warm, spicy oil, distilled from the flower buds of the clove tree. It’s a great pain-relieving, anti-fatigue oil which helps stiff, aching muscles and joints – it’s also well-known for toothache.
Blends well with Ginger, Mandarin and Bergamot.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a spicy, woody, herbaceous oil, steam-distilled from the harvested resin of the Myrrh tree. It was used traditionally for embalming and has a comforting effect on the spirit but is also anti-inflammatory and good for chronic pain rooted in infections.
Blends well with Frankincense, Orange and Patchouli.
Essential oils for relaxation and sleep
As well as directly including oils above in blends to treat your pain, there are also some great oils for sleep and relaxation which can help.
Sweet Marjoram
Sweet Marjoram is a woody, herby oil, steam distilled from the herb’s leaves and flowering tops. It’s a great analgesic and nervous sedative, making it a popular alternative to Lavender.
Blends well with Bergamot, Lavender and Orange.
Valerian Root
Valerian Root is a deep, woody, musky oil, steam distilled from the perennial herb’s roots. It is one of the most tranquilising oils and is great for insomnia, tension, pain relief and spasms.
Blends well with Lavender, Cedarwood and Mandarin.
Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus oil, produced from the peel of the nearly-ripe fruit. It is described as nature’s Prozac – which means it’s the perfect oil for relaxation, and nervous tension.
Blends well with Sandalwood, Chamomile and Orange.
So, there you have our Top 10 essential oils for chronic pain. How might you use them?
Creating pain relieving blends
When dealing with chronic pain, it can be best to work with massage directly into the area where you feel pain, as the oils will go directly into the bloodstream and get into the system more quickly that way; that said, if you are on painkillers, it is best to check for contra-indications with your GP before doing so, and we’d recommend simply diffusing the oils into the air until you have confirmed; this will be similarly effective.
Massage blends
To create a blend you can use for massage, we recommend using the following formula:
- Select your oils: firstly, check the list of ‘blends with’ for oils that will go well together – but also feel free to follow your nose and mix together oils that feel like a good synergy to you – ones you like the smell of and that you feel go well. A good tip is to open the three bottles of oils you like, hold them together and inhale to see if they mix well; if they do, then you can blend them up.
- Blend your oils: Mix up to 6 drops (total) of any 3 essential oils listed above (e.g., 2 drops of each) into 15ml of carrier oil such as Grapeseed oil.
- Create a calming environment: choose somewhere where you won’t be interrupted and make it a relaxing space for you to be.
- Apply your oils: Stir well, and take a small amount in your hands, rub them together in your palms and apply to the area where you are experiencing pain – or to your whole body, if that feels relaxing. Massage very gently and slowly, in a clockwise direction or towards the heart.
- Repeat every day: I know when you’re in pain, the last thing you want to do is add another ‘task’ to your daily routine, but this one is beneficial. Like with anything, essential oils need time and focus to make a difference, so it will require a commitment to showing up regularly with your aromatherapy practice.
Diffusion blends
To create a blend to diffuse, we recommend the following formula:
- Choose oils and create your environment: use the same process as above for oil selection and creating a calm environment. I’d suggest creating this either in the morning (if the oils are stimulating – e.g., Peppermint and Ginger) or in the evening with your relaxing oils (Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Valerian).
- Blend your oils: Mix up to 7 drops (total) of any 3 essential oils listed above (e.g. 2-3 drops of each) and add them into water in your electrical diffuser or candle burner.
- Diffuse: diffuse these into the room you are in for 30 minutes.
- Repeat daily: again, repeat this each day.
If we work in this committed way, with oils, following our nose to what our bodies desire, and working on relaxation, especially, it can make a real difference to chronic pain. Just a reminder, it can take time – the most common reason why people choose to go back to mainstream methods of pain relief, is because they don’t commit long enough to mother nature’s process, so give this a go, and see what happens.
Nicole Barton
Consultant Aromatherapist
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