Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils

Inflammation is one of the most common medical concerns nowadays. with the increasing epidemic proportion of side effects of synthetic drugs, people are trying to find out natural alternative solutions to combat inflammatory conditions. A large number of inflammatory conditions can easily and safely be managed using certain essential oils that have tremendous anti-inflammatory properties such as lavender oil, ginger oil, and peppermint oil.

Before we get started with the anti-inflammatory essential oils, it’s worth knowing what inflammation actually is. Let’s have an in-depth look.

 

Table of contents

• What is an inflammation?

• Causes of inflammation

• Types of inflammation

• Signs and symptoms of inflammation

• What are essential oils?

• Anti-inflammatory essential oils

  • Lavender essential oil

  • Ginger essential oil

  • Peppermint essential oil

  • Frankincense essential oil

• A powerful anti-inflammatory essential oil blend

• How to use essential oils for inflammation

• Disclaimer

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural protective response to illness or harmful stimuli such as irritants, pathogens, etc. It’s typically a sign that your body is doing well. Inflammation occurs when a body tries to eliminate the pathogens or causative factors and begins to repair the affected part. Inflammation involves immune cells, molecular mediators, and blood vessels.

Inflammation is clinically indicated with the suffix term “itis” added with the name of the organ that has an inflammatory condition. For example, an inflammatory condition of the skin or dermis is called “dermatitis”, inflammation of the appendix is called “appendicitis”, and so on.

Causes of Inflammation

Inflammation can be caused in several ways –

• Physical causes – cuts, burns, injury, trauma, frostbite, and more.
• Biological causes – infection by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, etc.
• Chemical causes – alcohol, chemical irritants, and toxins.
• Psychological causes – anxiety, stress, and excitement may also cause inflammation.

Types of Inflammation

Inflammations are majorly classified into 2 types –

Acute inflammation – occurs immediately after the harm caused by allergens, pathogens, burns, cuts, frostbite, and toxins. Acute inflammation lasts only a few days mostly less than 2 weeks.

Chronic inflammation – chronic inflammation might last for several months or even years. Smoking, stress, obesity, and poor diet are certain common factors that help to promote chronic inflammation.

Signs and Symptoms of Inflammation

Inflammations are mainly characterized by –

• Heat
• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Loss of function

The affected organ can show all the symptoms together or any two or three depending on the severity of the condition.   

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils, widely known as aromatherapy oils, are derived from flowers, seeds, fruits, barks, roots, and seeds from a broad spectrum of natural flora. These oils have been widely used in several traditional and natural systems of medicines including aromatherapy throughout the world for decades.

Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils

“Essential oils are a great support tool for relieving the discomfort from inflammation that can occur on the surface of our skin and even internally, like in joints, our upper respiratory area, and our belly.”

– Amy Galper, founder of the New York Institute of Aromatherapy, the first aromatherapy school in New York City.

In recent studies, some serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergies have been found directly linked with chronic inflammatory conditions.

Numerous inflammatory conditions can be managed by aromatherapy using certain essential oils safely and effectively if identified early. Essential oils usually don’t show any negative or adverse effects on the body and not only suppress the symptoms instead treat the root of the issues.

However, a whole range of essential oils offer healing and managing benefits in several inflammatory conditions. Each essential oil works differently and has specific impacts on physical as well as mental conditions.

Here’re a few examples of essential oils that can help reduce inflammation.

Lavender Essential Oil

Scientific name – Lavandula sp.

A variety of lavender species (around 400) are available globally with different qualities and scents. This herb has diverse medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions.

When it comes to treating inflammatory conditions, lavender is considered one of the best essential oils in the world. It can help to reduce pain in muscles, joints, and under the skin. Its anti-coagulant effects help to reduce swelling and discoloration in phlebitis.

Lavender has significant cell regeneration properties, thus, helping to repair inflammatory symptoms of injury such as broken bones, burns, cuts, and bumps quickly. It’s a powerful diuretic; therefore, very effective in reducing kidney inflammation.

The best part of lavender essential oil is that it’s the safest and most effective solution to reduce depression which is often the most common cause of internal inflammations that tends to promote several life-threatening health conditions including asthma, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disorder, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and many more. 

Here you can buy our Lavender essential oil

Ginger Essential Oil

Scientific name – Zingiber officinale

Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds such as gingerol that can effectively reduce both acute and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation caused by viral infections such as flu, fever, and sore throat can be easily eliminated using ginger essential oil.

Ginger oil is also helpful in managing rheumatism and arthritis, especially on knee joints. Ginger root is also beneficial in colon inflammation and digestive-related issues. 

Read our detailed article about the benefits of Ginger essential oil

Here you can buy our ginger essential oil

Peppermint Essential Oil

Scientific name – Mentha piperita

Peppermint essential oil has a long history of medicinal use in several health conditions. It’s a powerful expectorant, anti-pyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent.

Peppermint oil has been majorly used for treating all types of respiratory inflammations ranging from acute breathing difficulty to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Here you can buy our Peppermint essential oil

Frankincense Essential Oil

Scientific name – Boswellia carterii

Frankincense essential oil is derived from the resinous substance of Boswellia trees. This essential oil is very effective in inflammatory conditions caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal infections such as respiratory tract infections (RTIs) including tonsilitis, laryngitis, and more.  

Here you can buy our frankincense essential oil

A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oil Blend

Anti Sharks

We’ve created a special essential oil blend for inflammation named “Anti Sharks”. This blend is formulated for skin inflammation mainly caused by poisonous insects and fish.

Ingredients of this anti-inflammatory essential oil blend include –

• Lavender – helps to neutralize the toxicity of venoms.
• Geranium – acts as cortisone.
• Peppermint – helps to reduce pain and swelling.

Anti Sharks works very well against all types of allergies including skin allergies, respiratory allergies, and food allergies. Anti Sharks helps to heal any inflammatory symptoms on the skin like itching, pain, redness, and swelling. It can also be used as a mosquito repellent.

Here you can buy our Anti Sharks   

How to Use Essential Oils for Inflammation

Essential oils can be used in many ways. Some most popular methods are –

Aromatic perfusion – put 2-5 drops of essential oil on the inner part of the elbow and message with the wrist of another hand for a minute unless or until the skin absorbs it all. Repeat the method with the other elbow and wrist.

Dilution in olive oil – essential oil can be diluted in olive oil or other types of carrier oils. A 10 % dilution can be made by adding 40-50 drops of essential oil into 10 ml of olive oil.

Mouth wash or gargle – pour 2 drops of essential oil directly into the mouth, have a sip of water, and gargle or have a mouth wash.

Massage – essential oils diluted in carrier oils can be applied and massaged to the affected area to reduce inflammatory symptoms like pain and swelling.

Disclaimer

Essential oils aren’t medicines and don’t replace any prescribed medical advice. Never keep within the reach of children and avoid eye contact. If eye contact happens anyhow, immediately wash with kitchen oil, don’t use water.

Though essential oils are natural and safe, it doesn’t mean you can use these essences arbitrarily. When using for therapeutic purposes, seek direct supervision of a certified aromatherapist.