Contents:
Benefits of Essential Oils for Pain Relief and Inflammation
What Essential Oils Are Best for Pain and Inflammation
How to Use Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation
Other Tips For Natural Pain and Inflammation Relief
Where To Buy Essential Oils For Pain and Inflammation
From arthritis and skin inflammations to muscle pain and headaches, pain and inflammation can occur in a variety of ways and can severely impact everyday living.
Using essential oils for pain relief and inflammation can help soothe and alleviate areas of concern. In this article, we’re exploring our top 6 pure essential oils to help you relieve pain or inflammation naturally!
Benefits Of Essential Oils For Pain and Inflammation
Essential oils have become incredibly popular in the world of wellness, as many of us seek more natural ways to look after ourselves. But why use essential oils for inflammation and pain relief when you can pop a pill? Because some essential oils have hidden therapeutic properties designed to help rid your body of aches and pains naturally, that’s why!
Some essential oils contain a powerful combination of anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic properties, helping to reduce and alleviate health challenges like these:
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- Arthritis
- Inflammation
- Cramps
- Menstrual pain
- Inflamed skin conditions
What Essential Oils Are Best for Pain and Inflammation?
Pain and inflammation can surface in a variety of ways and ailments. Below are some of our most popular essential oils to reduce inflammation or help with symptomatic pain:
Lavender Essential Oil
With a beautiful scent and a range of versatile properties, Lavender Essential Oil is well known for assisting with pain and inflammation management. In addition to its incredibly calming aroma, it contains natural analgesic properties which can help relieve painful headaches – plus, according to a 2015 study, its key constituents, linalool and linalyl, act as powerful anti-inflammatories, calming skin irritations and easing joint inflammation.
Lavender Oil is also believed to possess antispasmodic abilities that may relieve menstrual pain, with powerful analgesic properties working further to help increase blood circulation while reducing muscle soreness.
Lavender Essential Oil
Dilute Lavender Essential Oil in a carrier oil (such as Hemp Seed or Black Cumin Oil which are known for their anti-inflammatory benefits) and apply as a massage oil. For those who are experiencing headaches, you can add your diluted Lavender Oil to a glass roller bottle and apply to the temples and back of the neck. We recommend a 2-4% dilution when applied topically and a 1-2% dilution for facial application.
Chamomile Roman Essential Oil
With a sweet, well-balanced aroma, Chamomile Roman Essential Oil is an incredible natural source for calming the mind. But did you know it’s also one of the oldest remedies used to help relieve pain and inflammation? In fact, a 2010 study found that chamomile is not only known to relieve muscle, joint and rheumatic pain effectively due to its antiphlogistic abilities; it has also been seen to alleviate various inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.
As one of the best essential oils for helping to relieve pain and inflammation, you can use Chamomile Roman Oil to help ease pain and muscle tension, alleviate digestive discomfort, calm irritated skin and promote relaxation.
Ginger Essential Oil
You may well be aware that Ginger Essential Oil is one of the best anti-inflammatory essential oils and has been used remedially for thousands of years. There is plenty of evidence to support its popularity as a natural support for pain and inflammation - a 2016 study recognised the use of Ginger Essential Oil to relieve arthritis, while a 2013 study found that its antioxidant properties may be useful in reducing both acute and chronic inflammation.
Known to relieve muscle soreness, spasms and tightness – and helpful for reducing back pain and menstrual cramping – Ginger Essential Oil is an extremely worthwhile oil to keep in your collection.
How to Use Ginger Essential Oil for Pain and Inflammation
Add a few drops of Ginger Oil to 1 cup of Epsom Salt and dissolve in a warm bath to help relax sore muscles, relieve headaches and alleviate menstrual cramping. You can also dilute your Ginger Essential Oil with a carrier oil and appreciate its benefits as a targeted massage oil.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The cool, minty freshness of Peppermint Essential Oil makes it a go-to remedy for pain relief and inflammation. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe sore muscles, target joint pain, and provide relief from tension headaches. The high menthol content in Peppermint also creates a cooling sensation that can help numb discomfort and promote circulation.
To top it off, Peppermint Oil is incredibly invigorating! When applied topically or inhaled, it can help clear the mind, reduce fatigue, and ease stress-related tension that often worsens pain.
How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil for Pain and Inflammation
Dilute Peppermint Essential Oil in a carrier oil (such as Arnica Oil, which is also known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties) and use with a warm compress for targeted joint pain relief. Massage into the affected area before applying the warm towel and leave for ten minutes. You can also massage your diluted Peppermint Oil into sore muscles, stiff joints, or tense areas.
Due to its high potency, we recommend using Peppermint in a 1-2% dilution for topical application.
Alternatively, add a few drops to a diffuser and appreciate your Peppermint Oil benefits through inhalation.
Sweet Basil Essential Oil
Sweet Basil Essential Oil is known to be a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, making it one of the best essential oils for pain and inflammation. A 2017 study found that Sweet Basil Oil contains natural anti-inflammatory properties, and another study in 2020 determined how Sweet Basil Oil provides relief from migraines.
As such, using Sweet Basil Oil may help relieve muscle and joint pain, head pains, spasms, gout and cramping.
How to Use Sweet Basil Essential Oil for Pain and Inflammation
Dilute Sweet Basil Essential Oil in a carrier oil (such as Almond Oil Sweet, which is known for providing pain relief) and apply as a massage oil. For those who are experiencing migrainess, you can add your diluted Sweet Basil Oil to a glass roller bottle and apply to the temples and back of the neck. We recommend a 2-4% dilution when applied topically and a 1-2% dilution for facial application.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops in a warm bath to help relieve muscle soreness and tightness.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The crisp, camphoraceous scent of Eucalyptus Essential Oil is as refreshing as it is therapeutic.
Rich in eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), this powerhouse oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, makes it highly effective for soothing muscle aches, targeting joint pain, and providing respiratory discomfort. Its natural effect helps reduce swelling, while its ability to promote circulation can result in faster recovery.
And if this isn’t enough reason to keep a bottle of Eucalyptus Oil handy at home, it’s also a natural decongestant. Inhale its invigorating aroma to help clear your airways, ease sinus pressure, and help relieve tension headaches linked to inflammation.
How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Pain and Inflammation
To relieve muscle pain, dilute Eucalyptus Essential Oil in a carrier oil (such as Jojoba Oil, which is known for relieving muscle, joint and head pain) and massage into the affected areas. We recommend a 2-4% dilution when applied topically and a 1-2% dilution for facial application.
For those who are feeling congested, you can smell your Eucalyptus Oil directly from the bottle (take care to avoid touching the skin).
How to Use Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation
When using essential oils for relieving pain or inflammation, we recommend diluting and using as a topical application or inhalating via a diffuser.
Topical Application (on the skin)
Most essential oils are safe to use topically, yet they are extremely potent and must be diluted with a carrier oil first. We recommend choosing a carrier oil with natural pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, such as one of these popular options:
For safe topical application, we generally recommend using a 2-4% dilution for skin application and a 1-2% dilution for facial application. However, it is important to note that this may vary according to the type of essential oil being used.
Inhalation
You can also use your essential oils diffused and inhaled, as follows:
- Add some water to the diffuser basin
- Add a few drops of essential oil
- Plug in and start your diffuser
Popular ways to use your essential oils
Now you know which essential oils to use for managing pain and inflammation, you might be wondering how to do so for maximum impact.
Here are a few of our favourite ways to use your oils effectively:
1. In a Warm Bath
Add a few drops of Ginger Oil (or your favourite essential oil for pain relief) to 1 cup of Epsom Salt, and dissolve in a warm bath to help relieve sore muscles, headaches and menstrual cramping.
2. In A Roller Bottle for On-The-Go Relief
To experience the analgesic benefits of essential oils like Sweet Basil, add your diluted oil to a glass roller bottle and apply it to the temples or affected area. We recommend a 2-4% dilution when applied topically and a 1-2% dilution for facial application.
3. As a Massage Oil
To make a homemade massage oil for pain relief, dilute Chamomile Roman Essential Oil in a carrier oil (we recommend a 2-4% dilution when applied on skin or a 1% dilution for facial application) and apply to the affected areas.
4. In a Diffuser
For an enhanced aromatherapy experience and fast relief from headaches, add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to a diffuser and allow its scent to fill the space, relaxing your mind and body and reducing the pain.
Other Tips for Natural Pain and Inflammation Relief
While many essential oils are equipped to provide relief from pain and inflammation, there are other ways you can do so – some natural or lifestyle-based.
Here are a few to consider:
- Cold Therapy (Ice Packs) – Can reduce swelling and numb sharp pains; best for acute injuries, sprains, and inflammation.
- Heat Therapy (Heating Pads, Warm Compresses) – Relaxes the muscles, improves circulation, and eases stiffness in chronic pain conditions like arthritis.
- Compression (Bandages, Wraps, Knee Braces) – Helps stabilise injured areas, reducing swelling and supporting recovery.
- Elevation – Raising an injured limb (like a swollen ankle) above heart level helps reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Gentle Movement & Stretching – Keeps joints and muscles from stiffening, improving flexibility and circulation.
- Yoga – Can help reduce stress, improve circulation, lower inflammation, and strengthen muscles.
- Hydration & Anti-Inflammatory Diet – Drinking water and eating foods like turmeric, ginger, and leafy greens to help reduce systemic inflammation.
Where to Buy Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation
While essential oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, it is important to keep in mind that the purity and quality of these essential oils will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO, we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities our costs are significantly less, which allows us to offer our high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!
Essential Oil Safety Inflammation Relief
While essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your essential oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). Our recommended dilution percentages can be found under the ‘Best Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation’ section.
FAQs
Which are the best essential oils for reducing inflammation?
Ginger, Lavender, and Chamomile are all great essential oils for inflammation - Ginger eases muscle and joint pain, Lavender calms inflammation, and Chamomile soothes irritated tissues. But many other essential oils thatare anti-inflammatory, including Frankincense, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus Oils.
What is the strongest essential oil for pain management?
Many fans of Ginger believe it’s among the best essential oils for pain management because it can alleviate symptoms of chronic conditions like arthritis. Yet there are many oils containing powerful properties to relieve pain naturally. Take another look at our top 6 oils for pain and inflammation management and see which one best matches your condition. Or if there are several you think might help ease your condition, go for one with an aroma that matches your preference!
What essential oil is like ibuprofen?
Any oils with naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties can be likened to the effect of ibuprofen, a medication specifically for reducing pain and inflammation. Besides from our favourites for this purpose - Ginger, Lavender, and Chamomile essential oils – you will often find Copaiba Essential Oil compared to ibuprofen because it contains beta-caryophyllene, a natural compound that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation.