Looking to ease arthritis pain naturally? Here are the Best Essential Oils for Arthritis as well as my top tips and recipes to try!
Have you ever wondered if Essential Oils for Arthritis actually worked?
I never really thought much about Arthritis until my Mom developed it in her knee. Although her doctor suggested that her knee was “just worn out” and “needed replacing,” she feelt strongly that at least a significant portion of her problem was arthritis of the knee.
My Mom isn’t that old. The last thing in the world I want is seeing her undergoing any surgery, especially something like knee surgery. So I decided to do some digging to learn more about arthritis. Since I had so much success treating my knee with natural alternatives, I thought I would see what I could learn about essential oils and if they could help her.
First things first.
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The Quality of The Essential Oils You Use Matters!
After looking closely at the quality, purity, and ethics of so many companies, I've fallen in love with both the company and their oils. They have a large line of organic oils and are serious about safety. Every single batch is tested to ensure purity!
Read my full Plant Therapy Review for why they are my go-to company.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness of the joints.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. The pain that they face can result in a significant decrease in the quality of life.
Over the counter pain medications can be problematic. They have been linked to everything from liver damage, to gastrointestinal issues, and calcium loss.
The Two Types of Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis which is degenerative condition where the cartilage that provides the lubrication between the bones in a joint starts to break down. It becomes rough and uneven causing the joints to wear and create rough painful deposits. (This is what my mom has.)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is caused by inflammation in a joint that becomes painful and can cause the joint to degenerate. This is an autoimmune disease and should be treated accordingly.
Symptoms of Arthritis
- Pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Redness
What Essential Oils Are Good for Arthritis?
(Click thru for the specific oil I recommend)
- Frankincense
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Marjoram
- Peppermint
- Wintergreen
- Eucalyptus
- Cypress (to increase circulation)
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Blue Tansy
- Juniper
- Lemongrass
- Geranium
It is important to note that everyone responds to essential oils differently. For this reason, I would say that there is no single best oil. My best advice is to experiment and find out what works for you.
Essential Oils for Arthritis Pain Relief
- Oregano
- Clove
- Wintergreen
- Black Pepper
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Thyme
- Eucalyptus
Consider blending for best results.
As stated above, everyone responds differently. Be sure to experiment to find what works best for you.
Because both forms of arthritis are long term conditions, consider rotating oils.
Regardless of what oils you choose, it is important to always dilute them. Here is a great chart on diluting essential oils.
Best Essential Oils for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Essential Oil Blend 1
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops wintergreen
- 2 drops frankincense
- 2 drops eucalyptus
- 2 drops cypress
Dilute in a carrier oil and apply to the area as needed.
Essential Oil Blend 2 for Pain Relief
- 3 drops oregano
- 3 drops clove
Dilute and apply to the bottom of the feet twice daily.
Essential Oil Blend 3
- 2 drops juniper
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops rosemary
Dilute and apply to the area as needed.
Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, protocols specific to autoimmune disease should also be considered.
Best Essential Oils for Osteoarthritis
- Peppermint
- Frankincense
- Cypress
- Wintergreen
- Lemongrass
- Geranium
- Black Pepper
- Juniper Berry
- Lemon
Essential Oils for Arthritis Recipe #1
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops frankincense
- 2 drops cypress
- 2 drops wintergreen
- 2 drops lemongrass
- 2 drops geranium
Dilute in a carrier oil and apply to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.
Essential Oils for Arthritis Recipe #2
- 5 drops Black Pepper
- 4 drops Juniper Berry
- 4 drops Lemon
- 8 drops Lavender
Combine oils with 1 ounce of carrier in a small glass bottle. Massage on affected areas several times a day.
DetoxifyingBath - Good for Both Kinds of Arthritis
Toxins in the body can contribute to arthritis. This detoxifying essential oil arthritis bath is a great way to provide relief.
- 20 drops fennel
- 10 drops cypress
- 5 drops juniper
- 3 cups Epsom Salts
- Combine essential oils in a small dish.
- Place Epsom salts in a glass bowl and stir in essential oils.
- Ad 1 cup to warm bath.
Dietary Considerations
- Try to Included the following in your diet as often as possible: Turmeric, Ginger, Omega-3 Foods, Cherries, Pineapple and Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. They can all help with inflammation.
- Consider adding cayenne pepper to your dishes. The capsaicin that gives them their heat can help to increase circulation.
- For rheumatoid arthritis, make sure you are getting enough monounsaturated fatty acids. Found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts, they have been links as a predictor of remission in patients with RA. (Source: EULAR 2014).
- Limit white flour, highly processed foods, and sugar.
Other recommendations:
Consider supplementing with Turmeric, which is the most active polyphenol in the spice turmeric. One study compared 2000mg of curcumin with 800 mg ibuprofen in over 100 people with osteoarthritis. All of them saw a similar improvement in symptom relief leading to a conclusion the the curcumin was “similarly efficacious and safe.” Another study conducted at the University of Arizona found that not only did it reduce inflammation but it also decreased joint damage in arthritis sufferers.
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Jerold says
I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.
Monica Ranson says
I was diagnosed of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) in July 2009, It started in two fingers on my right hand and one finger in my left hand. The right side of my body was constantly aching and fatigue was so severe. I was put on Naprosyn and after some time i didn't feel any different, so i started on a natural treatment from RICH HERBS FOUNDATION, their RA FORMULA treatment effectively reversed my Rheumatoid Arthritis condition. The swellings, stiffness, fatigue and joint/muscle pains has subsided. I feel better overall. Visit ww w. richherbsfoundation. com. Six months after the treatment, I made an appointment with a rheumatologist in Houston, after examining me, she looked at me and told me I did not have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Its almost like a miracle!
Arleme says
May i kindly inquire as to the size of the roller ball
Or dropper btls to be used in your recipes for rheumtoid arthritis pls?
Wendy Polisi says
I use 10ml Roller Bottles!
Richard Hoover says
For how long should the treatment with essential oil last? Or they can be used on a regular basis?
Wendy Polisi says
You can use them on a regular basis, just take at least one day off a week.
William Singleton says
Thank you for sharing these useful recipes, I used some and they brought me huge relief!
Wendy Polisi says
So glad that they helped you!
VINEVIDA says
This article offers a valuable resource for anyone seeking alternative methods to support arthritis management through the exploration of essential oils and their potential healing properties.