Sore muscles can be a common thing to occur, whether due to vigorous exercise or physical activity during even your everyday tasks. The discomfort and body ache that tags along with sore muscles can significantly impact your daily life and hamper our regular health and well-being. Even though there are several conventional methods used for relaxing the muscle soreness, many people are now preferring to turn to natural alternatives which are essential oils. Essential oils for sore muscles have gained popular appreciation for their potential therapeutic benefits and capability to induce relaxation and heal the ache primarily.
In this article, you can get to explore the comforting arena of essential oils and read about their effectiveness in the case of soothing sore muscles, as well as some practical tips on how to use them. Through which you can decide or choose the oil and method of your preference.
What is essential oil?
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants, derived from different parts of multiple plants, such as the leaves, flowers, stems, or the roots. As we know ayurveda has been in medical practice for years which is a study of medicinal value of natural substances. These oils capture the medically beneficial properties of the plant along with the essence and aroma of the plant. Each essential oil possesses a specific chemical composition which provides the oil a range of therapeutic and medical benefits of muscle and mind relaxation.
When the stance of relieving sore muscles is given, essential oils can offer certain advantages. It also helps to reduce inflammation, promote a sense of calm and well-being, increase blood circulation, alleviate pain, and relax tense muscles. The basic reason why it is heavily used in spas and beauty parlours. However, it’s important to note that essential oils should be used as an option for tolerable amounts of pain or basic soreness treatments and not as a substitute for medical advice from a professional doctor.
Best 5 Essential Oils for Sore Muscles
1. Peppermint Oil:
Peppermint oil consists of menthol, which provides a cooling sensation through your skin and that can help in case of soothing sore muscles. It has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that can obliterate the muscle pain and reduce inflammation of muscle or skin.
2. Eucalyptus Oil:
Eucalyptus oil is known for its heavily strong aroma and anti-inflammatory properties. Its principal component which is eucalyptol, helps to increase blood flow in the muscles which leads to the promotion of the relaxation and easing of the tensed muscle.
3. Lavender Oil:
Lavender oil is mostly well known for its fragrance along with its calming and relaxing properties. It can help to relieve muscle soreness by reducing the inflammation, moreover promoting circulation, and contributing in stress reduction.
4. Ginger Oil:
Ginger oil has its own warming properties that can help to stimulate blood circulation and reduce muscle soreness. Ginger oil also embodies some anti-inflammatory benefits, which makes it an excellent choice for relieving sore muscles. It can also be said that ginger oil is the essential oil for sore muscles.
5. Marjoram Oil:
Marjoram oil is popular for its soothing and muscle-relaxing properties mostly. It can help to reduce muscle spasms along with relieving pain, and promotes overall relaxation for both the body and mind.
Application Methods:
There are several ways to apply essential oils to relieve pain of the sore muscles:
1. Topical Application:
For this method you need to dilute the essential oil of your choice with another toned down oil of your choice, such as coconut or jojoba oil, and then apply it directly to the specific area of your body where you feel the pain. Gently massage the oil into the skin so that it gets absorbed and promotes muscle relaxation to provide relief.
2. Hot or Cold Compress:
Add a few drops of essential oil to a cup of hot or cold water (preferably hot). Dip a cloth or towel into the solution, drench out the excess liquid, and place it on the sore body part for effectiveness and soothing relief.
3. Bath Soak:
Add a few drops of essential oil to warm bathwater and soak your entire body in it for 15 to 20 minutes. The combination of warm water and essential oils which are being absorbed by your skin will help to induce relaxed muscles and reduce discomfort.
4. Aromatherapy:
Use a diffuser to spread the essential oils into the air inside your room. Absorbing the aroma through air can have a relaxing effect on the muscles as it is being directly absorbed and promote overall well-being.
Even though essential oils are not exactly majorly harmful, some safety precautions need to be taken.
It is suggested to dilute essential oils with a suitable carrier oil before using them on your skin. This helps to prevent any irritation or sensitivity on skin.
Conclusion
To ensure your body doesn’t have an allergic reaction to the particular oil you’ve chosen, conduct a test on a smaller region of your body before applying any to a larger area of the body
Avoid applying essential oils directly or at all if the skin is broken or irritated.
Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
In case of pregnancy, breastfeeding or any irregular phenomenon it is highly suggested to consult a doctor.