Inflammation is the body’s natural response to protect itself from infection or injury. The swelling and pain it can cause is your body’s healing action kicking in by bringing increased blood supply and heat to the area along with immune mediators that specialise in fighting infections.
Inflammation can also happen when there’s an immune response but no injury or illness, like with arthritis. This is a type of inflammation where the body treats its own components as foreign and attacks them.
But there is hope! Besides making sure to relieve yourself of the negative lifestyle choices you are making that contribute to inflammation, nature has some medicines that support the healing process. Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties, and they can help with achiness or discomfort.
Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils
There are lots of options when it comes to essential oils for inflammation. Thyme is high in carvacrol, which is a type of phenol that works as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Some varieties of frankincense can inhibit the production of inflammatory proteins, and some types of rosemary essential oil even contains analgesic properties. German chamomile is particularly suited to skin irritations, and of course, lavender is good for just about anything.
Some essential oils that have exhibited clinically anti-inflammatory actions include:
Chamomile
Clary sage
Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Geranium
Helichrysum
Lavender
Marjoram
Myrrh
Patchouli
Rose
Sandalwood
Thyme
Yarrow
Our Botanical Remedies
Decongestive Bath
4-6 drops roman chamomile
4-6 drops lavender
2-4 drops Neroli or Orange blossom
Mix essential oils together and blend and pour them in a warm bath. This is a very calming and relaxing bath that soothes any inflammation and loves all family members.
Restoring Body Massage:
This preparation protects and hydrates the most sensitive skin, tones the body and improves energy flow. Ideal to recover vitality after a period of weakness and fatigue in general. It soothes and relieves any pain sensation. Use an arnica-infused carrier oil, if possible, otherwise sesame seed oil will work well. For approx. 25 ml of carrier oil, add the following essential oils:
7 drops Lavender
6 drops Rosemary
4 drops Juniper berry
7 drops Lemon
Compress to decongest skin suffering allergies, dermatitis or eczema:
Add 1 cup of warm water to a bowl. Mix 5-6 drops of chamomile essential oil with 1 tablespoon of calendula (marigold) infused oil and add to the water. Stir the oil. Soak a cotton cloth in the water, wring out the excess, and apply to the affected area.
Anti-stress roll-on
Sweet Dreams Wellbeing Roll-on is the perfect anti-stress allied, a concentrated blend designed to slow you down and make you feel relaxed. But if you’d like to try something different, try this one. Add the essential oils blend (below) to a 10 ml glass bottle with a roller ball. Fill the rest of the bottle with the carrier oil (jojoba is fantastic) and replace the roller ball cap. Shake to blend and apply it as much as need in the pulse points.
6 drops of clary sage essential oil
2 drops lavender
2 drops mandarin
2 drops sandalwood
Headaches and other tensions roller
Sometimes inflammation can cause pain or discomfort. Peppermint, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, rose, eucalyptus, clove, bergamot, and fennel are all believed to have analgesic properties that may help with aches and pains.
1 drop peppermint
3 drops eucalyptus
3 drops rosemary
5 drops lavender
Add essential oil drops to a 10 ml glass bottle with a roller ball. Fill the rest of the bottle with the carrier oil and replace the roller ball cap. Shake to blend and apply to the affected area.
My Fave Anti-inflammatory Salves
Melt 1/4 cup of jojoba oil with 7 gr of beeswax. When the beeswax is melted, and the oils are combined, remove from heat, and pour into 30-50 ml jar. Add 30 drops of the essential oil blend (below). Stir to homogenise to blend, and then let it stand until hardened.
For tired or stiff joints & muscles after a hard workout
You know that aching feeling when you can barely move after a hard workout? Stimulating oils are a great choice because they can help boost circulation when you’re feeling tired and stiff.
6 drops geranium
12 drops lavender
6 drops marjoram
6 drops black pepper
4 drops rosemary
For skin inflammation (acne, sunburn, eczema)
Roman chamomile, geranium, and patchouli can be especially helpful when dealing with skin conditions that come with inflammation or itching. Try this soothing gel if your skin is feeling inflamed or itchy. Alternatively, you can create a balm following the above instructions adding this essential oils blend (do not add the hydrosol if making a balm/salve)
4 drops Roman chamomile
3 drops ylang ylang
1–2 drops patchouli
2 tablespoons rose hydrosol
Add the essential oils and rose hydrosol to 50 ml of aloe vera gel or an unscented natural cream base. Stir together and store in a glass container. Apply as needed.
For respiratory inflammation (bronchitis, laryngitis)
Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and cypress can be beneficial if you’re experiencing nagging respiratory inflammation. Use this blend when coughs, colds, and sinus congestion have you feeling stuffy and sluggish.
25 drops eucalyptus
7 drops tea tree or thyme
5 drops peppermint
6 drops pine needle or wintergreen
7 drops lemon
Make a 50 ml salve with 1/4 cup carrier oil and 7 gr beeswax and add 50 drops of essential oil blend. Apply to the upper chest area to soothe a cough and congestion.
Lastly, but not less importantly… Got an insect bite? Try a compress with lavender or Roman chamomile to get relief.
Cautions
Do not apply directly to the skin essential oils—they should be diluted in a carrier oil or cream first. To use them appropriately, here are our usage recommendations:
Diffuser 7-10 drops
Body Massage 3% (97% Carrier oil)
Facial Massage 1% (99% Carrier oil)
Bath 10-15 drops
Steam inhalation 5 drops
Body or face mask 3 to 7 drops
Tissue 3 drops
Sauna 2 drops/ person
Jacuzzi 3 drops / person
Inflammation can be beaten in so many ways—always starting with a good diet and a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about foods that can help you beat inflammation and other concerns in our below featured posts.
Natural Is Always Better
Love,
Sonia x