Top 5 Essential Oils for Sore Muscles
Working out, sitting too long, injury, and stress are just some of the reason your muscle may be aching or making you uncomfortable. Sometimes we don’t even know our body is hurting until we stop and take some time to check in with ourselves.
Muscle pain ranges from mild, manageable to intolerable pain. It can occur especially on the neck, back, hands, and legs.
Tackle the Real Issue
While the use of over-the-counter medicines may be able to relieve your discomfort in the short run, there are serious long-term health effects to think about. Not to mention they don’t really get to the root of the problem, they just mask the pain.
If you’re looking for a natural and safe way to ease your muscles sores, essential oils can do that. Essential oils are effective at reducing muscle inflammation. They ease muscle spasms and increase blood circulation.
But before we look at the five best EOs for sore muscles, let’s understand what sore muscle is.
What Is a Sore Muscle?
Muscle soreness is a painful and stiff feeling in the muscles after a vigorous workout or unaccustomed exercise. The muscle soreness is also known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
It’s because it starts several hours after the exercise, and peaks with a day or two. In most cases, it is typically felt 12 to 72 hours after the exercises.
Causes of Sore Muscles
Eccentric workouts are those that involve muscle lengthening, contraction, and stretching. These muscle reflexes cause muscle swelling and soreness. They collect white blood cells, the inflammatory prostaglandins, other nutrients, and fluid that flow to the affected region during repair of damaged muscles.
Signs and Symptoms
Some of the common signs and symptoms of muscle soreness include:
- Localized swelling
- Itching
- Pain
- Stiffness
Essential Oils for Sore Muscles
Used for centuries, essential oils are holistic healers that help in improving overall general well-being. Certain oils work to relieve muscle inflammation, pain, and discomfort.
Below are the 5 best essential oil for muscle pain and inflammation:
5. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments. However, it’s best known for its inflammatory properties, relaxation, and analgesic properties. All these properties combined offer a one-stop solution to all your muscle aches, pains, and enhancing blood flow.
Application: Since it’s a mild form of essential oil, it’s applied topically. Not is not necessary to dilute with a carrier oil.
Get the best price on chamomile oil here!
4. Peppermint Essential Oil 
Known for its refreshing flavor, it is also a superb remedy for sore muscles. In fact, peppermint was one of the earliest essential oils to be used medicinally. It’s extracted from a natural hybrid of water mint and spearmint.
It has an antispasmodic effect that helps relieve muscle spasms while its analgesic properties play a crucial role in reducing pain and relaxing tense muscles.
Application: Use in a diffuser, add to a warm bath, or applied topically in conjunction with a carrier oil for fast pain relief.
Get the best price on peppermint oil here!
3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is synonymous with its strong invigorating smell. It has similar properties to those of juniper and has a powerful decongestant. Its therapeutic benefits stem from its analgesic and astringent properties which help relieve pain, treat strains, and soothe muscular aches.
Application: Eucalyptus oil is potent and is not recommended to be used alone. Combine with lavender for a bit of stress relief and calm while or with coconut oil to massage the sore areas.
Get the best price on eucalyptus oil here!
2. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil is fantastic all-around oil. Extracted from Rosmarinus officials, it has an amazing healing power that goes beyond enhancing memory and stimulating appetite. It’s also works as an anti-swelling analgesic too.
This is why rosemary oil is commonly used to relieve muscles aches, pains, and arthritis.
Application: Apply the oil gently on the sensitive region or use in a diffuser to get even more benefits.
Get the best price on rosemary oil here!
1. Lavender Essential Oil 
Lavender is all-around therapeutic oil, used for treat migraines and tension headaches. Known best for its therapeutic sedative property, lavender oil is an excellent option for relieving stress, anxiety, and tension within your muscles.
Additionally, the anti-swelling, parasympathetic, and analgesic properties of this essential oil work to relieve deliberating muscle aches. Finally, the inducing and calming effects of the oil ease swelling and improving blood flow.
Application: Mix a few drops of this oil with castor or coconut oil and gently massage over the affected region.
Get the best price on lavender oil here!
Bonus Tips
If you’re looking for the optimal performance with the essential oils, feel free to blend two or more of the oils together. For instance, you can mix peppermint with lavender and accompany the blend with a carrier oil for best results.
Or pick up a blend that is especially created with sore muscles in mind. That way you know exactly what to react for when you’re starting to feel achy.
