Try Out These 5 Oils to Alleviate Your Pain Easily
Pain is the leading cause of physical disability and reduced workplace productivity worldwide. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to treat the condition or at least make it tolerable.
Pain management interventions range from conventional analgesic medications to alternative treatments and even certain lifestyle adjustments.
This article explores the top five oils to alleviate pain easily and naturally.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is highly prized for its ornamental value and fairly durable timber. It turns out that the tree also boasts powerful medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus oil, which comes from the tree's leaves, contains an active chemical known as cineole. Cineole accounts for most of the eucalyptus' analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2013 randomized clinical trial found that inhaling eucalyptus oil every half an hour for several weeks caused a substantial reduction in pain and inflammation in knee replacement surgery patients. These findings also showed that the compound could reduce various blood pressure markers.
What's more – eucalyptus oil contains antispasmodic properties. Therefore, it might help alleviate pain resulting from involuntary muscle spasticity.
However, it's important to tread cautiously while using eucalyptus oil for pain relief. Consult your doctor before using the compound if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, epileptic, or hypertensive. Do the same if planning to administer the oil to a child under six.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary's cute name and spectacular flower blossoms aren't the only things to love about this plant. The plant also contains a host of pharmacological applications, including pain relief.
Rosemary has been utilized in folk medicine for pain management for numerous years. Emerging scientific research seems to corroborate the plant's anecdotal analgesic claims.
In a two-week study investigating rosemary's analgesic properties among stroke survivors, researchers observed a significant reduction in shoulder pain in patients that used rosemary oil compared to the placebo group. The oil was particularly effective when administered alongside acupressure for twenty minutes twice daily.
A blend of rosemary oil and acupressure resulted in as high as 30% pain reduction. At the same time, acupressure alone reduced pain by only 15%.
Other studies have favorably compared rosemary's analgesic effects to conventional pain medications. For instance, this animal study determined that rosemary oil is slightly more effective for pain than acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic drug.
Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage oil is chockfull of analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds. Examples include the terpenes linalool and linalyl acetate, two bioactive chemicals whose analgesic properties are well-documented.
Several studies indicate that clary sage oil may be particularly effective against menstrual cramps and uterine pain. That's due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic effects.
A 2012 randomized, double-blind clinical trial seems to support clary sage oil's pain-relieving abilities. The trial involved a topical blend of clary sage, marjoram, and lavender.
Researchers noted a marked reduction in the intensity and duration of menstrual pain and cramping when the product was topically applied to the lower abdomen daily during menstruation.
Note, however, that clary sage oil can cause headaches if overdosed. It's also best to avoid using the oil if pregnant or breastfeeding, or while consuming alcohol.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is considered one of the most effective natural remedies for various chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. That's mainly due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive oil is high in antioxidants. One such compound is oleocanthal. According to research, oleocanthal can produce the same therapeutic effects as the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen.
Some researchers estimate the amount of oleocanthal in 50 milliliters' of olive oil to have similar healing properties as 10% of the adult dosage of ibuprofen. Therefore, olive oil might be a welcome replacement for conventional pain medications. And the best part is that the oil presents fewer and less severe side effects than ibuprofen or other regular analgesic drugs.
Besides oleocanthal, olive oil also contains decent amounts of oleic acid. Research suggests that oleic acid might inhibit C-reactive protein (CRP), an important inflammatory marker.
To make the most of olive oil for pain management, insist on extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Extra-virgin olive oil is the least processed, most potent form of olive oil.
THC Oil
THC oil comes from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most common psychoactive chemical in marijuana. The compound is widely prescribed for pain relief.
Tetrahydrocannabinol oil relieves pain by activating specific central nervous system (CNS) pathways that prevent pain signals from transmitting from various body parts to the brain.
In other words, the compound interferes with how the brain receives and interprets pain signals. Therefore, what would otherwise present as excruciating pain only manifests as mild aches.
Like eucalyptus oil, THC oil also possesses anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. That makes it potentially effective against pain triggered by inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis and diseases causing muscle spasticity, such as multiple sclerosis.
However, it's important to note that tetrahydrocannabinol oil is highly psychoactive. Therefore, it's essential to administer the compound sparingly to avoid suffering its potential adverse effects.
Summary
Alternative treatments like essential oils should be your first call when looking for effective leading management solutions.
The above-listed oils can soothe different types of pain without causing severe side effects. Just remember to administer the compounds moderately, especially if consuming them orally.
