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
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Hi Wendy, I suffer severely with both types of arthritis. I also have lupus, an autoimmune disease. I was wondering what do you feel is the best carrier oil to mix with your drops that you suggest. I am not on facebook so can not go to your site so any information that you can supply to me would be greatly appreciated. I have been trying to research as much as possible as I am on many medication and want to try and do some natural things to get relief in possible before also having surgery on both knees and hip. My email address is sandpete@rogers.com
Thanks for your help with the information that you have provided already it sounds like a great place to start.
Sandra T. 🙂
I thank you for the awareness l think my back pain now will be solved
I was 36 years old and my 2nd child was one year old when I noticed one of my fingers was inflamed, swollen. The swelling wouldn’t subside. Tests showed RA (Rheumatoid arthritis). Then progressively other joints started to get affected and I had much pain, dressing myself was very painful. I would ring my mother in tears not knowing what was happening to my body. I tried numerous medicines nothing worked. Finally, the rheumatologist suggested i try natural medicines and suggested NewLife Clinic, i immediately ordered their Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbal formula and start on the 3 months treatment plan, the treatment is totally incredible, i had a total decline of symptoms with this treatment, the pains, stiffness, swelling, body weakness and skin redness has subsided. Visit NewLife Clinic website ww w. newlifeherbalclinic. com or email info @ newlifeherbalclinic. com. Incredible!
Thanks for the tips. Cant wait to try out these remedies.
Hi Wendy, I have suffered neck and back pain multiple times, and I discovered that most common causes of neck pain include: Too much time hunched over…for example hunched over a steering wheel or your laptop or your smartphone which is very common today; Sleeping in a position that causes strain in the neck such as sleeping on a pillow that is too firm or too high; Carrying a heavy object like a suitcase on one side of your body; Any trauma that causes a strain in the neck such as falling and landing on the top of the head. However, simple remedies at home like applying ice packs, use of epsom salt and apple cider vinegar or even a nice massage over a hot shower can help to alleviate the pain.
Hi Wendy
With the clove / oregano mix – why apply to the bottom of the feet rather than the affected area? My Mum has severe RI and I’d love to give her some relief.
I have clove and oregano essential oils, also marjoram, lemongrass, lemon, peppermint…
Thanks!
Bree
You can apply it to the affected area as well, assuming that the odor isn’t too much!
Hi, help severe RA swelling, pain!
Any help you can provide.. Please
Hi Carolyn, There are some specific recommendations in the post but I’m happy to answer any questions you have!
In addition to the info here in this post, try finding an Integrative Medicine or Functional Medicine doc. Ask that a food sensitivity test be run. Eliminate those foods and you are 90% of the way back to health.
I made the oregano/clove mixture for my mom. She has been using it on the bottom of her feet for the last 3 days. How long does it take to feel any difference? Thanks.
I had made a mixture of juniper berry oil and peppermint oil. And I was ina lot of pain. I didn’t have coconut oil but I had bought some coconut oil moisturizer cream. I use that and it worked. I only had enough for 1 application use it once and I have been pain free for 1 week and very little pain. Thank you.
Is there other combinations you can recommend? Speaking from your experience?
Hello, Wendy!
I’ve learned so much from your article! My mother love using therapeutic oils to relieve joint pains. I’m sure she will love to read this too, and share with her friends!
Regards,
Sam
Recently Arthritis has become a common disease of the middle age. So the article you have shared that is really helpful. It is really needed. Big help!
I was diagnosed in June, 2013 with OSTEOARTHRITIS of the spine and both knees, symptoms started with severe back pain, joint swelling and stiffness in my knees and eventually the feeling spread to my shoulders and neck, i couldn’t lift my arm without pain medications. I was prescribed tramacet and arcoxia for 8 months but had to stop them due to bad effects. In 2017, I started on OSTEOARTHRITIS HERBAL FORMULA from RICH HERBS FOUNDATION, this natural herbal treatment reversed my osteoarthritis. Visit w w w. r i c h h e r b s f o u n d a t i o n . c o m. The treatment worked incredibly for my arthritis condition.
Please add me to your email listing. I was unable to add myself to it.
Wendy Polisi, thank you ever so for you post.Much thanks again.
I have been using essential oils for my sciatica for 7 weeks now – although I still have pain, it is so much more manageble! I use castor oil as the carrier oil, about 2 tablespoons. I add 10 drops each peppermint, genarium, ginger, lavender, eucoluptus oils. For the first time in ages I no longer wake up in the miggle of the night with unbearable pain. Essential oils are the only method I will ever use to combat my pain!
I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.
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!
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?
I use 10ml Roller Bottles!
Hi I have arthritis in my lower back, what are the best oils for that, and how many drops with coconut oil, and were to apply and how often. Thanks Cathy