What Is the Strongest Essential Oil for Pain? Easy and Simple Tips

Strongest essential oils for pain relief

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2021, approximately 20.9 percent of adults in the USA, which equals 51.6 million people, were dealing with chronic pain, and 17.1 million people suffered from chronic pain that impacted daily activities (i.e., high impact chronic pain) (1). Prolonged pain can eventually lead to mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. It is important to keep our bodies healthy to avoid these complications and live our lives to the fullest. 

While most research on the use of essential oils has been done in animals, there is some evidence that essential oils have benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory properties to pain relief. Some of the strongest essential oils for pain relief include:

Sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil contains chemicals called alpha santol and beta santol that have been shown to interact with signaling pathways in the body, producing positive effects. While essential oil does not directly relieve pain, there is evidence that it acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can secondarily reduce pain. These chemicals have also been shown to have neurologic benefits in mice and may also have some benefits in persons with Alzheimer’s (2).

Ginger oil

Ginger oil contains 115 chemicals and gingerols in the resin roots. These gingerols contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and have been studied for the complementary treatment of pain and rheumatoid arthritis (3).

Research published in the journal Pharmanutrition found that ginger oils contain terpenes with anti-arthritic properties and reduce inflammation in the joints of mice (4). 

Clove oil

Clove oil is obtained from Syzygium aromaticum trees by distilling buds, leaves, and stems and is well known to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties (5). A research study conducted in Iran found that clove aqueous extract had pain-relieving effects in mice and helped them recover faster after being exposed to pain (6).

The color of the clove oil ranges from pale yellow to colorless. 

Myrrh oil 

This oil is obtained from the Commiphora molmol tree and is one of the best-known essential oils for pain relief. It has long been used to treat pain in Ayurvedic medicine and indigenous medical systems (7). It is known to have chemicals that act similarly to morphine and interact with opioid receptors in your brain, providing pain relief (8). Animal studies have found that Commiphora molmol extract reduces inflammation and edema after injury (9).

Frankincense oil

This oil is distilled from Boswellia Serrata. It has a woody aroma and induces a relaxing effect. It mixes well with lemon, sandalwood, and lavender oil. Frankincense has been studied for its ability to boost the immune system and for alleviating various types of pain, including arthritis pain (10). 

Bergamot oil 

Bergamot oil contains several known anti-inflammatory compounds such as carvacrol and linalool (11, 12). A review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology used Bergamot Oil as a standard for other essential oils to be compared against due to its well-known mechanisms for stopping pain signals in the body. It was found to be one of the most research-supported essential oils for pain relief (13). 

Eucalyptus oil 

Eucalyptus oil provides a warming and cooling effect that alleviates pain. One study using 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that inhaling vapor with eucalyptus over an extended period helped relieve perceived pain (14). Eucalyptus essential oil can be found in creams, sprays, and mists. 

Valerian root oil 

Valerian root has been found to help improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Improving sleep and mental health is well known to help reduce perceived pain (15, 16). It has also been found to ease menstrual cramps (17, 18).

Peppermint oil 

Peppermint oil has a sharp odor gained from the leaves of the peppermint plant. A study published in 2019 found that smelling peppermint oil acted as effectively as inhaled lidocaine in treating migraine attacks in individuals, subsequently improving well-being (19). However, Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is known to cause asthma and breathing difficulties in children. Peppermint oil may also cause jaundice in children with G6PD deficiency and should be avoided in pregnant women.

Tips for using essential oils to relieve pain

Before using any essential oil, you should always do a patch test. To perform this:

1. Mix 3-5 drops of preferred essential oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil.
2. Apply a small amount of this mixture to the skin on the forearm. 
3. You should wait for 24-48 hours to see optimum results. 
4. If you don’t observe any adverse reaction, the essential oil is good to use.

How can you find quality essential oils?

The most important thing to keep in mind while buying essential oils is the quality of the product. Always ensure to:

• Check label
  Read the ingredient label and check for the Latin name of the essential oil of interest. Many companies often sell adulterated essential oils mixed with vegetable and aroma oils. One should check purity before purchasing the oils.

• Brand of the essential oils
  Make sure to also consider the reputation of the brand. I always prefer to buy the strongest essential oils from established brands. Before making a purchase, take a look at the company’s goals and objectives and look for reviews of the company.
   
• Use of dark colored containers 
  Make sure the bottles are blue or black and not plastic. The essential oils are concentrated and can be damaged by certain chemicals and sunlight.
   
• Avoid buying fragrance oils
  Fragrance oils contain many chemicals. We suggest refraining from purchasing fragrance oils and buying essential oils, which are very pure in consistency.
  
• Price comparison
  The prices of these oils can vary based on their method of formulation. A single brand can offer you a range of prices on their oils. You need to know that sandalwood and rose oils are expensive, but orange oils are cheap. If you find an expensive oil at a more affordable price, then the oil is likely to be impure. 

How do fake essential oils reach the stores?

Essential oils are not regulated by any organization, such as the Food and Drug Administration, in the U.S.; thus, there is no standard or regulation to control their purity. Essential oils have recently gained in the wellness industry, although they have been used for a decade. Instead of the essential oils, some of the bottles may be filled with synthetic oils or fragrances with the motive of making money. If you believe that the oil is real, consider the parameters:

Sources of plant

Analyze the plant sources as their quality can merely depend on the climatic conditions and used chemicals.

Mode of processing 

The processing method also plays a crucial role in assessing quality. It is hard to tell if the oil is genuinely pure or diluted.

Packaged material 

The oils that are handled and stored can affect their quality. Even the best oil can turn worse if it is not in a sealed dark glass bottle.

Potential side effects 

Just because something comes from nature doesn’t mean it is safe.

Plants and herbal products have many active ingredients that can be harmful, and the strongest essential oils used for pain relief are no exception. However, when you breathe them or mix them with the base oil for your skin, it can cause side effects such as:

Rashes

Essential oils contain some chemical elements obtained from plants. Thus, they can cause a skin reaction such as rash, redness, or swelling, commonly known as irritant contact dermatitis. This means that a particular ingredient present in the essential oil is having an adverse reaction on your skin and is causing injury (20). This usually leads to rashes appearing soon after applying the strongest essential oils.

Asthma attack 

The American Lung Association warns that breathing in the strongest essential oils can trigger asthma attacks, as these oils contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The strong fragrance of the essential oils can trigger your airways to tighten up, which leads to cough and breathing problems (21). Make sure to use a small amount at first; if you are prone to asthma, talk to your doctor.

Headache 

Some essential oils, such as camphor, eucalyptus, thujone, and fennel, contain properties that can lead to severe headaches. So, it is good to be cautious while using essential oils if you are suffering from cluster headaches (22). It is hypothesized that some essential oils may stimulate neurons of the hypothalamus and trigeminovascular systems in the brain, thereby triggering headaches. 

To avoid this, one should use the oils after consulting the healthcare practitioner. 

Who should not use essential oils?

While essential oils offer various benefits, they also pose some limitations. Individuals suffering from asthma or COPD should avoid using essential oils because the oils may cause additional breathing issues. 

Pregnant and lactating women should also avoid the use of essential oils because they can cross the placental barrier and also pass to maternal milk, leading to potential complications (23). Children aged six or below should be given very low amounts of essential oils for pain relief, as essential oils like peppermint oil can lead to breathing problems (24). So, be sure to seek medical help before using it.