Can Essential Oils Really Heal Sore Muscles?

When I first heard that essential oils could soothe sore muscles I laughed to myself. I thought, "Are these companies serious? How is an oil going to get deep down into my muscles and fix anything at all!?". Then I went to school for massage therapy and they mentioned using essentials oils there. I couldn't believe so many people bought into this! Then my teacher talked to me about essential oils and really explained how they work and why they can soothe muscle aches and pains. Certain essential oils work as muscle relaxants and natural pain killers. Oils like peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and basil. These same oils can also improve circulation, thereby relieving muscle spasms and backaches.

But how do the essential oils penetrate the skin?

Essential oil molecules are so small that when you massage the oil into your skin it is able to pass through the outer layer of the epidermis, then the dermis, into the capillaries and bloodstream. This is one of the reasons that you want to be careful what you apply to your skin! Chemical ingredients and dyes found in many skin care products can also pass into your blood stream, and many of those have carcinogenic properties. Thankfully, essential oils and more natural products are on the market today so you don't have to buy drugstore brands that may harm your health.

How do I use essential oils to relieve muscle aches?

There are several ways to do this. Firstly, and the easiest method, is to get a blended cream specifically designed for muscle aches and pains. You can simply massage this lotion into your skin and enjoy the benefits that way. Another option is to get a pain-relief essential oil like peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, lavender, chamomile, or sweet marjoram. Blend a few drops of the essential oils with a carrier oil like olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil and massage it into your skin. The last method is to put a few drops of essential oils into a hot bath with 2-3 cups of epsom salts. This can be incredibly soothing and relaxing.