Soothe Sore Muscles with Aromatherapy
Sore muscles after a work out is inevitable. Whether you are a yogi, a runner, a gymnast, dancer or a hiker- sore muscles are a pain and sometimes the recovery process can feel arduous. However, lucky for us, there are natural solutions! There are a wide range of essential oils for sore muscles which can reduce your pain. From peppermint to cypress, chamomile and marjoram (among many others), essential oils can offer a soothing relief for muscle tension, spasms and joint inflammation.
Essential Oils for Sore Muscles
Read on to learn how to harness essential oils for sore muscle relief!
1. Peppermint Essential Oil:
Peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect on sore muscles due to it’s menthol content, which exhibits analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-spasmodic, stimulating and anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil:
Eucalyptus essential oil contains the active ingredient called eucalyptol which has a cooling effect on sore muscles and may help reduce pain and inflammation. A blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, lavender and marjoram essential oils were able to relieve pain due to arthritis, this further clarifies eucalyptus’ uses as a pain-relieving essential oil.
3. Cypress Essential Oil:
Cypress essential oil is traditionally used for tension and swelling associated with sore muscles. Its grounding and stabilising aroma make this oil popular amongst body massages and bath soaks for relieving muscle tension and varicose veins.
4. Roman or German Chamomile Essential Oil:
Chamomile is often known as the herb ‘capable of anything’ due to its various properties that can soothe the body and the mind. Roman and German chamomile are calming and relaxing, especially on tense and sore muscles. Chamomile is commonly used to relieve stress, insomnia, muscle spasms, inflammation, rheumatic pain, among other imbalances of the body.
5. Marjoram Essential Oil
Marjoram essential oil is another excellent option for soothing muscular tension and joint pain. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties may help calm swelling, pain and tension in the muscles and joints. Blend marjoram essential oil, along the other essential oils mentioned in this article in your body, in your body oil massages, epsom bath soaks and lotions for relieving sore muscles.
Other essential oils for sore muscles include but are not limiting to:
Lavender essential oil
Cedarwood essential oil
Sandalwood essential oil
Camphor essential oil
Rosemary essential oil
Ginger essential oil
Black Pepper essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil
Recipes for Sore Muscles
Deep Blue Bath Time
Ecodrop’s Deep Blue essential oil blend incorporates the healing benefits of 5 essential oils for muscle tension and pain relief. From wintergreen to peppermint, eucalyptus, camphor and german chamomile essential oils, this blend in combination with Epsom salt will soothe your tight muscles and promote the recovery process.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 8-10 drops Deep Blue essential oil blend
- 1 tsp carrier oil of choice (sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed oils, etc.)
- optional: a handful of peppermint leaves
Directions:
- Fill a bowl with the ingredients and pour into a warm bath.
- Soak in the bath for 10-20 minutes.
MySore Body Oil Massage
This recipe incorporates all the essential oils for sore muscles mentioned in this blog, alongside lavender essential oil, to soothe and relieve tense, sore and swollen muscles.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml sweet almond oil
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops marjoram essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops cypress essential oil
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a 60 ml sterilised bottle. Label and store in a cool and dry cupboard.
- To use this blend for sore muscles, massage your body from head to feet, or feet to head, incorporating gentle and slow strokes along sore and tense muscles.
