Do you deal with sore muscles on a regular basis? Understanding what is the best essential oil for sore muscles are can make a huge difference to your life.
Maybe you work-out a lot, have a physically demanding day job, or suffer from a medical condition that means you live with sore muscles. Finding relief can really improve your standard of living, and this can be achieved through the right essential oils.
Most of us build up tension in our necks and backs. This can be from poor posture, knots that have left to worsen, or as a result of some kind of injury. Booking a massage session can be costly and take time. So a lot of people are turning to essential oils and using them at home themselves.
I love using essential oils. Ever since I realized their healing properties and got my sinusitis under control I have been experimenting more and more. In this article I cover some of the best essential oils for sore muscles. Their topical applications, some recipes you can use right away, and advice to help you sooth those aching muscles.
Contents
9 of the Best Essential Oil for Sore Muscles and Muscle Pain
The healing properties of essential oils cannot be ignored. The use of natural and organic ingredients makes use of mother natures most powerful benefits – healing the human body.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is one of the best all-round for therapeutic uses. It has anti-inflammatory and calming properties, perfect at reducing muscle soreness.
Lavender also increases blood circulation which will help your body heal damaged muscles quicker. It smells lovely, is easy to use and work into muscles, and is certainly one of the best.
Rosemary
Rosemary oil has been a household favorite for a long time due to being affordable and widely available. It has brain tonic qualities which makes it a little unique, along with high levels of analgesic properties.
It’s also useful with a wide range of other skin conditions such as cellulite and stimulating hair growth so it’s more than just a sore muscle oil. I recommend trying rosemary if you never have.
Black Pepper
The great thing about black pepper is it’s natural warming and blood circulation abilities. It’s an interesting and welcome feeling as you rub this into your muscles and is very effective as soothing those aches and soreness.
A little tip – use black pepper as a pre-workout rub in. This prepares the muscles for a heavy workout and gets them warmed up and will reduce the amount of soreness you feel the following day.
Thyme
Thyme is a classic and has been used in aromatherapy and alternative medicine for decades. Patients use this oil to help with chronic pain and the effects of rheumatism and arthritis.
It can lower blood pressure, increase circulation and stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Great for lessening aches and pains, and working out muscle knots and injuries.
Ginger
Personally I love the smell of ginger oil. Root stem ginger has a wide range of positive health properties and is very versatile in oil form but not for everyone if you really don’t like the smell.
It has analgesic properties and a natural warming action. So it’s soothes those painful joints and muscles very effectively.
Eucalyptus
I use eucalyptus oil to keep my sinusitis under control and tested it out on sore muscles on my arms too when I found out how useful it was.
Like all good muscle pain soothing oils it contains strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and will help you lessen that post-workout dull muscle ache.
Marjoram
Marjoram is one of the lesser known essential oils but one of the best essential oil for sore muscles. It’s a wonderfully fresh smelling oil and has all the necessary properties for speeding up the recovery of muscles.
It’s also great for brain health and function, helps with high blood pressure, indigestion, blood circulation, and much more. I recommend picking some up if you’ve never tried it.
Peppermint
There are few scents as fresh and welcome as peppermint oil. I love it, and it’s great for uplifting your mood, helping you breathe easier, and of course treating muscle aches and pains.
Tip – try putting a few drops in a warm bath or a steam bowl to make the most of this oil. This will help target all the areas mentioned above while giving you a relaxing session.
Cypress
If you also suffer with muscle cramps or spasms cypress oil may just be the best choice for you. It works out cramps, loosens stress and tension being help in muscles, and speeds up healing.
Tip – cypress blends well with other oils. Try experimenting by mixing it with another oil if you have a particular preference or want to mix the best of other oils together.
Recipes and Uses for the Best Essential Oils for Sore Muscles
Sore muscles will not always be simply dealt with by just a single application of essential oil rubbed into the muscles. You may need several treatments, a routine, and to mix in other forms of aromatherapy.
Even if you are an athlete with a rigorous training regime rest is always an important part of muscle recovery. The combination of muscle rubs with oils and rest is the best combination for fully healing. It will always work if you give yourself enough time and care.
Here are some recipe ideas to help you formulate a recovery regime to get your muscles feeling wonderful in no time.
Muscle Relief Massage Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 drops of marjoram
- 15 drops of juniper
- 5 drops of black pepper
Muscle Fatigue Massage Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 drops of rosemary
- 10 drops of cypress
- 5 drops of black pepper
- 5 drops of thyme
Muscle Strains Massage Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 drops of eucalyptus
- 5 drops of ginger
- 5 drops of cypress
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Muscle Cramp Massage Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 drops of lavender
- 10 drops of marjoram
- 10 drops of rosemary
- 5 drops of black pepper
Directions for a Muscle Relaxing Bath with Essential Oils
Picture the scene. You get home after a long day, your muscles are aching and you are in dire need of some quality relaxation. You light some candles, put on some soft music, and prepare a warm bath.
It doesn’t get much better than that. Add some oil to the bath that will have a therapeutic affect on your muscles and you’re in heaven. Here are a couple of recipes to consider.
Lemon and Marjoram Pampering Oil Bath
Ingredients
- 5 drops of marjoram
- 2 drops of lemon
Eucalyptus and Cypress Pampering Oil Bath
Ingredients
- 5 drops of eucalyptus
- 2 drops of cypress
Lay back and enjoy. If your muscle are very sore rub them gently when you first get into the bath. This is relaxation at its finest, I love long, hot soaks in the bath tub. You’re guaranteed to feel a whole world better for it.
These suggestions are the best essential oil for sore muscles. Tray a couple out for yourself and see how you feel. You will find the perfect oil, and method, and never look back.
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I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.