If you thought that essential oils were discovered just a few years back, you are wrong. Not your fault, essential oils have gained traction only in the last few years.
You will be surprised to know that essential oils have been used as a trusted remedy to soothe painful conditions and encourage healing for hundreds of years now.
The first recorded use of essential oils goes as far back as 4500 BC when Egyptians were using them as part of their perfumes, concoctions, and medicines.
In fact, there is evidence suggesting the use of these oils by cavemen around 20,000 years ago.
That is to say, over the years, essential oils have ‘evolved’ a lot and have been further refined for uses in massage therapies, aromatherapies, and healing baths.
Modern science too agrees with the healing effects of essential oils. Aromatherapy massages have been found to provide relief for neuropathic pain and improve quality of life for diabetic patients. The European medicine agency has actually approved Lavender essential oil as herbal medicine to relieve anxiety and stress.
So, the next time you feel numbing pain in your foot, maybe you should give these oils a try. In this article, we will walk you through different aspects of essential oil.
We will also tell you our secret way to relieve neuropathy foot pain. So, let’s get started.
What Is Neuropathy Foot Pain?
For starters, neuropathy is a painful condition that causes nerve damage and leads to tingling sensations, numbness, weakness, and pain, usually in the body extremities like hands and feet. Commonly called peripheral neuropathy, neuropathy foot pain can be caused due to various reasons like traumatic injuries, infections, toxins, genetic conditions, inherited diseases, or metabolic issues.
One of the most common causes of neuropathy foot pain is diabetes. Alcoholism, certain medications, and vitamin deficiencies can also cause nerve damage resulting in foot pain.
Symptoms include sharp pain, pricking sensations, throbbing or burning pain, increased sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, weakness, numbness, and paralysis.
How Do Essential Oils Help?
If you are suffering from neuropathy foot pain, we have good news for you.
Essential oils could prove to be of great help. Essential oils are concentrated liquids extracted from herbs by cold pressing or steam distillation.
These contain the essence of the herbs in a pure form and therapeutic benefits.
These oils are capable of relieving the pain associated with neuropathy. Some essential oils also have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight infections and reduce inflammations and swelling.
Essential oils are also helpful in aiding the overall well-being of our bodies. Some common applications of essential oils and aromatherapy include:
- Used to treat cuts, infections, burn scars, and scrapes
- Air purifiers
- Hormone regulators
- Effective in relieving stress, tension, and anxiety
- Assist in treating sleeping disorders
- Help treat pain and digestion problems
- Essential oils with antispasmodic properties help in the treatment of muscle spasms and relaxation
- Some oils also contain menthol that acts as an analgesic and controls pain
Popular Essential Oils
While there are no conclusive research results to establish the effects of essential oils on treating neuropathy, limited research suggests peppermint, roman chamomile, and lavender essential oils are the best for treating nerve pain.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil not only smells great, but it also works great for various ailments from treating muscle spasms, pain and even irritable bowel syndrome.
Roman Chamomile Oil
Roman chamomile is a sweet-smelling essential oil with the nickname “plant’s physician” as plants around this plant seems to flourish and grow well.
It has been a popular traditional remedy for treating inflammations and as a stress reliever.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the first essential oils to have documented usage for research purposes. French chemist Rene Maurice discovered the world of aromatherapy when he accidentally burnt his hands and found that lavender helped to heal the burn without any infection or scarring. Since then, lavender oil has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including the treatment of foot pain.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is usually known to be a kitchen herb and can very well be used as an essential oil source for treating pain and inflammation.
Yarrow Oil
Yarrow oil is another oil that can be used in reducing pain and inflammation caused by neuropathy.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce swelling and a good massage with this oil is what your sore feet need for rest.
Sweet Marjoram
Sweet marjoram is known for bringing a calm and soothing feel to our mind and body. It has a warming effect and thereby increases blood circulation when applied topically.
Clove Oil
Clove oil can bring immediate relief to foot pain and can even double up as a natural anesthetic.
Coconut Oil As Carrier Oil
Coconut oil for foot pain is a popular treatment method as it usually serves as the purpose of carrier oil in which essential oils are mixed to form a blend. It is clear, light, and does not oxidize, and provides the perfect medium to make good essential oil recipes.
How To Make Best Use Of Essential Oils
Most essential oil treatments are administered as aromatherapies, where you inhale them to feel the heavenly bliss of calmness and healing these oils produce.
As for pain-relieving and massage treatments, we recommend mixing essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut and applied onto the skin.
Don’t forget: essential oils are not edible and should not be consumed orally.
Essential Oil Recipe For Foot Pain
Using essential oils for diabetic foot pain and treating inflammation usually calls for a special mix-up of oils in the right ratios for maximum benefits. Here are some basic recipes to relieve foot pain and pamper your hardworking soles with luxurious essential oils.
This is our favorite. Soak your feet in a warm mix of essential oils to refresh myself and rejuvenate those sore tootsies.
The recipe is pretty simple. All you need to do is:
- Fill a tub with warm water
- Add around 1/4 cup of Epsom salt
- Add around 10 drops of your choice of essential oil or essential oil mix
- Soak your feet for about 20 minutes into the warm mix. You can also use a spa foot massager instead of a tub.
- Repeat the foot-soaking ritual two or three times a day
Foot Rub
You can massage your feet with the help of a massage roller or get your loved ones to make it an opportunity to show their love for you.
- Make a mix of essential oils blend by combining equal parts of (10 drops each) peppermint, birch, helichrysum, vetiver with 3 tablespoons of carrier oil.
- Use this mix as the foot rub blend. Get a good massage, put on your socks and go to a relaxing sleep.
- For a more powerful massage blend, mix in 20 drops of basil, marjoram, cypress, 5 drops of wintergreen, 10 drops of frankincense and helichrysum oils and add in just about the right amount of coconut oil to make 5% diluted oil mix. This oil blend will come in handy when you are suffering from intense foot pain.
Good luck to you with your feet-we think these oils will be a great help.
