Whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you understand pain. And while there are plenty of drugs to make you feel better, sometimes you just want a natural solution. That’s when it’s time to use essential oils for arthritis.
There are several essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties. This means they will ease inflammation and stiffness caused by arthritis. They may also boost your immune system and improve your mood.
We selected the top essential oils that soothe arthritic pain. Take a look at our research and reviews below to help you choose the best match for your needs.
12 Best Essential Oils for Arthritis Pain in 2024
Rocky Mountain Oils – Joint Support – 15 ml
If you don’t want to make your own blend, try this one from Rocky Mountain Oils. The product is called Joint Support. It smells like minty lemon and tingles pleasantly. As a result, it relaxes strained muscles and sore joints. Or you can diffuse it and enjoy the scent, too.
The company sources the primary ingredients from suppliers who pass stringent quality guidelines. Then they test and re-test throughout the manufacturing process with a variety of methods like gas chromatography and refractive index.
Plant Therapy Essential Oil | Rapid Relief Synergy
Plant Therapy creates its Rapid Relief Synergy from mint, clove, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, juniper, chamomile, and thyme oils. When you rub it on, it creates an agreeable warmth that soothes away aches. It increases circulation and smells deliciously relaxing.
Chamomile are another type of essential oils for the treatment of arthritis. It detoxifies the blood and improves circulation. Put a few drops in your bath water or massage the oil into stiff joints. Diffusing it may lower your stress as well.
The products manufacturer says third-party labs perform GC-MS testing on each batch. They also have certified aromatherapists on staff who can answer customer inquiries about these essential oils.
Essential Oil Labs Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the least expensive and easiest to find. It’s also excellent for reducing inflammation and pain from arthritis. In fact, other menthol essential oils like spearmint have the same effect. That’s why many commercial sports rubs have a minty scent. They contain mint oil, too.
Since peppermint essential oil is strong, it’s smart to combine it with a carrier oil before you rub it into your skin. Try almond or coconut oil to dilute it. Within minutes, you’ll feel the tingling coolness as it goes to work.
The oil from Essential Oil Labs contains steam-distilled Mentha piperita in its pure, unfiltered, and undiluted state. They report that the mint plants were ethically farmed in India without pesticides. Then the final essential oils were bottled in the United States.
Frankincense – 100% Pure, Best Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil – 10 ml by Healing Solutions
Healing Solutions offers pure frankincense oil from the Boswellia Serrata plant. It was distilled in a GMP and Kosher-certified facility. You may be surprised at the price because other essential oil companies sell this oil for a lot more. The company explains that its essential oils cost less because there are no independent sales representatives and no multilevel marketing. Moreover, they offer a satisfaction guarantee.
Why might you try frankincense for arthritis? Not only is its scent relaxing, but it has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It may even prevent the breakdown of cartilage.
Feel free to blend frankincense with other essential oils like lavender, bergamot, and Cedarwood to enjoy a wider range of benefits.
Pure Ginger Oil by Body Wonders
Body Wonders offers pure ginger oil to reduce the pain of rheumatic joints, sprains, muscle fatigue, and bruises.
When you apply ginger to your skin, it tingles and burns slightly. This effect disrupts the transmission of pain signals from nerve endings. It also reduces inflammation. University researchers who tested ginger as a substitute for NSAIDs found that it minimized stiffness and achiness in knee joints.
Turmeric Essential Oil 10 ml 100% Pure Undiluted Therapeutic Grade by Plant Guru
Many people are taking turmeric curcumin supplements as part of their diets. But you may also apply turmeric essential oil to your skin. Plant Guru steam-distills their oil from the Indian Curcuma longa plant. The end products have a yellowish tint that will stain clothing just like the spice.
This is an excellent anti-inflammatory, especially for persons with rheumatoid arthritis. The curcumin in turmeric interferes with interleukin (IL) 6, the cytokine that can cause inflammation.
Artizen Myrrh Essential Oil
Artizen’s myrrh essential oils are tested to be pure and undiluted. It comes in a UV-protective bottle with a glass dropper. Furthermore, the company offers a lifetime warranty and guarantee for it.
Research shows that myrrh has been used as a natural healing treatment since ancient times. It’s even more powerful when combined with frankincense. One clinical research study revealed that they are an effective treatment of inflammatory diseases like arthritis.
Dr. Christopher’s Formulas Cayenne Pepper 40,000 hu
Dr. Christopher’s cayenne pepper essential oils are rated for a potent 40,000 HU, or Scoville heat units. Add it to a lotion, or use it as a natural treatment to bring relief to sore joints. The essential component is called capsaicin. It interrupts the transmission of joint pain signals. Although you’ll feel a burning sensation when you apply it, it brings relief.
NOW Solutions Marjoram Oil
NOW steam-distills marjoram oil from the flowers and leaves of the Thymus mastichina plant. Their process ensures pure and undiluted essential oils. Additionally, they offer one full ounce, a significantly larger amount than other brands.
Marjoram, when diffused, creates a calming feeling in the room. And when used in bath water or directly in a carrier oil, it eases stiff joint inflammation and muscle spasms. Persons with sciatica also appreciate it. Plus, it may be used as a treatment for sprains and bruises. Just don’t apply it to broken skin.
Majestic Pure Basil Oil, Therapeutic Grade
This basil oil comes from the common or sweet basil plant known as Ocimum basilicum. Majestic Pure ensures that it’s unfiltered and undiluted. It’s also packaged in the USA.
Basil oils can be an effective treatment for arthritis joint pain and inflammation. Some say that a strong concentration used topically works just as well as taking ibuprofen. It blends well when used with lavender, marjoram, ginger, bergamot, and black pepper among other essential oils.
ArtNaturals Therapeutic-Grade Aromatherapy Essential Oil Set
If you’re new to using essential oils, it may seem expensive to purchase a variety of individual oils used for experimenting. Save your money by getting a set of essential oils that contains several that are used for rheumatoid arthritis. For example, this one from ArtNaturals features frankincense, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, sweet orange, tea tree, and rosemary.
As you’ve seen so far, both frankincense and peppermint are beneficial when used for treating achy joints. Lavender also has anti-inflammatory effects, plus it relieves anxiety. But rosemary is also helpful when used to massage painful spots.
Sweet orange not only helps you feel more alert, but it also assuages arthritic pain and stiffness. Blend it with jojoba or almond oil, then rub it into your skin. Even the scent alone may be used as a treatment for arthritis soreness.
Meanwhile, eucalyptus oils dilate blood vessels to increase circulation, blood pressure and speed up healing. Just like eucalyptus cough drops may make your throat feel better, essential oils used topically too.
Of course, the other essential oils in the set have their own benefits for healing infections, uplifting the mood, and more.
Two Old Goats Essential Oil Lotion for Aches & Pain
Our final pick features a blend of essential oils in a lotion, which greatly simplifies how to apply them. You won’t need carrier oils to dilute anything. Just rub it on and enjoy the relief.
The essential oils contains lavender, rosemary, German chamomile, peppermint, eucalyptus, and birch bark. Together, they reduce pain and inflammation caused by fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, exercise, and even gout. Within a few minutes, you’ll notice the difference the lotion makes. It also keeps your skin tight, smooth and hydrated.
Birch oil, by the way, offers a host of benefits. It’s anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. It contains both salicylic acid and methyl salicylate which are related to the key ingredient in aspirin. Therefore, it eases muscle, joint inflammation, and bone pain. But should you choose to use birch oil by itself, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oils as it may irritate your skin. (That’s why this lotion is so handy as it takes care of the problem.)
Conclusion
We know first-hand how painful and debilitating rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness can be. And we’ve also experienced the relief that happens when essential oils are used with zero side effects. We hope our reviews helped you discover the right essential oils for your needs.
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