Inflammation can crop up in many different forms and take a toll on our health. Affecting an estimated 1 in 4 adults in the US, one common way inflammation presents itself is in the form of arthritis. If you are one of the millions experiencing the effects of arthritis, you may be looking for ways to manage your symptoms. 

Along with making lifestyle changes, essential oils and aromatherapy have also been shown to assist with arthritis symptoms such as inflammation, pain, mobility and more. Read on to learn about aromatherapy, arthritis and much more in this short guide. 

What Causes Arthritis? 

Arthritis can be caused by a variety of controllable factors. Here are some of the most common. 

Infection

Infections can cause inflammation which can lead to some type of arthritis. If you notice redness or swelling, see your doctor to stop inflammation from worsening. 

Career

If you work in an occupation that requires a lot of physical activity, such as bending, squatting and generally using your knees often, this can lead to osteoarthritis in your knees. 

Obesity

Maintaining a healthy weight can prevent your joints from becoming overworked, which can thus prevent arthritis. 

Smoking

Smokers are at risk of various health issues, including rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking can also worsen arthritis in those that already have it. 

Joint Damage

If your joints are often stressed or have undergone damage, you may be at risk of arthritis. 

Along with controllable factors, people with a family history of arthritis, women and seniors are more likely to get arthritis. 

Can Essential Oils Help Arthritis?

Recent clinical trials have illuminated the effect of essential oils on arthritis. 

• A topical blend containing oils of Basil, Bitter Orange, Black Pepper, Clary Sage and more was used on subjects with arthritis. Clinical tests revealed that the essential oil blend lowered the severity of the subjects’ arthritis by lowering inflammation. 

• 90 patients with osteoarthritis were split into three groups for a clinical trial. One group was given an aromatherapy massage with Lavender oil, the second group was given a massage without essential oil and the third group was given no massage. Pain severity of the patients in the Lavender oil group was found to be significantly lower than the other trial groups.  

• A study on over 200 patients with osteoarthritis were given Ginger extract or a placebo. Pain reduction in the two groups was measured and of the two groups, the arthritis patients given the Ginger extract had superior improvement over the placebo group. 

• Patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic inflammation were given a topical massage using an essential oil blend of Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, German Chamomile, Osmanthus and Copaiba essential oil or Coconut oil alone. After 5 days of treatment, patients had less pain and better dexterity over those given Coconut oil alone. 
  
  

How To Use Essential Oils For Arthritis

Studies have shown us that anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving essential oils have a soothing effect on arthritis–so we’ve curated our most calming oils and listed a variety of easy ways to use them. 

Anti-Inflammatory & Pain-Relieving Oils

The following oils help to reduce inflammation at different stages in the inflammatory response, reduce pain and promote arthritis relief:

• Black Pepper Essential Oil

• Chamomile- German Essential Oil

• Chamomile- Roman Essential Oil

• Clove- Bud Essential Oil

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil

• Ginger Essential Oil

• Hemp Essential Oil

• Juniper Berry Essential Oil

• Lavender Essential Oil

• Lemon Essential Oil

• Orange Essential Oil

• Peppermint Essential Oil

• Plai Essential Oil

• Spruce Essential Oil

• Thyme- Red Essential Oil

• Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
  
  

Step 1: Choose Your Blend

The following blends assist with joint pain relief, arthritic pain and general pain and inflammation. 

To an empty 5 ml bottle, add the following: 

• 30 Drops Peppermint

• 30 Drops Plai

• 20 Drops Eucalyptus

• 10 Drops Clove

To an empty 5 ml bottle, add the following: 

• 30 Drops Chamomile- Roman

• 30 Drops Ginger

• 20 Drops Lemon- Steam Distilled

• 20 Drops Thyme- Red

To an empty 5 ml bottle, add the following: 

• 33 Drops Spruce

• 30 Drops Black Pepper

• 20 Drops Hemp

• 17 Drops Juniper Berry

Alternatively, Edens Garden offers expertly formulated essential oil blends made to stop pain and inflammation on contact. Try Circu-Touch, Massage Therapy, Muscle Relief and Yuzu Cannabliss today. 

Step 2: Choose Your Method

While topical use is the preferred method for assisting arthritis, you can also add your chosen blend to the diffuser to obtain the benefits of pain and inflammation relief. 

For topical use, there are a few ways you can best use your preferred blend. Use any of these methods to apply your essential oil blend and use twice daily or as needed. 

In a Double Boiler, add: 

• 2 oz Tamanu Carrier Oil

• 1.5 oz Shea Butter

• 1 Tbsp Soy Wax

Once melted, remove from heat and stir in:

• 72 Drops of Essential Oil Blend

Transfer to an air-tight Container. 

To 2 oz of Unscented Body Oil, add:

• 36 Drops of your chosen Essential Oil Blend
  
  

Combine the following: 

• 1 oz Baobab Carrier Oil

• 18 Drops of Essential Oil Blend

• 1 oz Epsom Salt

Add to a warm bath. Alternatively, try Yuzu Cannabliss or Circu-Touch bath salts. 

Sources: 

1. Arthritis - National Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/national-statistics.html

2. Topical dermal application of essential oils attenuates the severity of adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168704/

3. Effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled clinical trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27863613/

4. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11710709/

5. Effects of a massage-like essential oil application procedure using Copaiba and Deep Blue oils in individuals with hand arthritis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30396617/