Aromatherapy Remedies for Pain
Some of the best remedies for pain are in the form of essential oils! Helpful,
are essential oils of basil, clove, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, ginger, black
pepper, wintergreen and peppermint, rosemary oils and are all beneficial for
pain management.
Basil: contains several antioxidants in its volatile oils that act just like
some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and Celebrex. When
isolated at high enough concentrations these oils worked as well as ibuprofen,
naproxen, and aspirin in research trials.
Camphor is a white transparent waxy crystalline solid with a strong penetrating
pungent aromatic odor. As an antimicrobial substance, camphor is readily
absorbed through the skin and produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of
menthol and acts as slight local anesthetic. In larger quantities, it is
poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, confusion, irritability, and
neuromuscular hyperactivity. Found in our Muscular/Pain Remedy Blend.
Clove: this intense oil, most commonly used to relieve dental pain and
infection, is also used to dissolve the eggs deposited by intestinal worms. It
is delicious but overwhelming in both smell and taste. It is an antiseptic,
carminative, warming, and very aromatic oil.
Eucalyptus: reduces pain, spasms and inflammation, and stimulates local blood
circulation and the removal of waste products and toxins from the tissues. It is
used to treat muscular aches and pains, strains, sprains, and other traumatic
injuries of the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also helps to reduce nerve
inflammation and pain and is useful for the treatment of the various kinds of
neuralgia such as sciatica. Eucalyptus reduces pain and inflammation due to
chronic arthritic conditions. It also has a mild clearing and stimulating effect
on the mind which helps to reduce fatigue.
Ginger: This rich, spicy oil so often used for nausea also helps normalize blood
pressure either by raises blood pressure by restricting external blood flow, or
lowers it by dilating surface blood vessels. This oil is warming and an
antiseptic.
Menthol is actually a compound obtained from peppermint oil or other mint oils
or made synthetically. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant
qualities. It is contained in nonprescription products for short-term relief of
minor sore throat and minor mouth or throat irritation. Menthol is also
contained in combination products used for relief of muscle aches, sprains, and
similar conditions. Menthol is often used with other ingredients such as camphor
and eucalyptus for pain relief. Menthol is considered an antidote for many
homeopathic remedies and should be avoided by people taking them. Found in our
Muscular/Pain Remedy Blend.
Peppermint: acts as a muscle relaxant, particularly in the digestive tract, and
it can also reduce the inflammation of nasal passages and relieve muscle pains.
When massaged into the skin, peppermint oil plays an innocuous trick on the
nerves: It stimulates those that produce a cool, soothing sensation and
desensitizes those that pick up pain messages.
Rosemary: Studies show that this oil improves general circulation.
Tea Tree: has a wide range of topical applications and is commonly used to treat
skin and respiratory infections. Surprisingly, the oil is active against all
three categories of infectious organisms: bacteria, viruses and fungi. Tea tree
oil is an effective treatment for many skin conditions, such as cold sores, the
blisters of shingles and chicken pox, verrucae, warts, acne, large inflamed
spots and nappy rash. It is also effective against fungal infections, such as
ringworm, athlete's foot and thrush, as well as dandruff--a mild form of
seborrheic dermatitis.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac
https://www.peacefulmind.com/pain.htm