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Many people experience increased joint pain and immobility during the winter months. This is because cold weather can slow blood circulation and heighten pain sensitivity.
While you can do a few practical things to alleviate arthritis symptoms in winter, such as staying warm, exercising regularly, and doing simple stretching, did you know that certified organic essential oils can be beneficial too?
What is arthritis?
The word 'arthritis' can be misleading as it does not refer to a single diagnosable condition. The word 'arthritis' points to the general issue of joint pain or disease in the joints.
The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, but there are, in fact, over 140 conditions that fall under the general umbrella of arthritis.
The main benefit of using certified organic essential oils for treating joints is that it's possible to create a blend containing several natural compounds to support the body against various potential issues. In addition, we can use certified organic essential oils and carrier oils externally, which means that they won't affect any other medications or supplements you may be taking.
Which essential oils and carrier oils help treat pain and dysfunction in joints?
It is not essential to know what kind of arthritis you are dealing with, but it does assist to better understand what support you need from certified organic oils.
For example, osteoarthritis, affecting almost half of people over 60 and nearly all over 80, is the 'wear and tear' condition of eroded cartilage and tissue. Osteoarthritis is not generally an inflammatory condition, although it can develop into one.
Here, we can focus treatment on nourishing the joint tissues and surrounding muscles to promote natural repair and resilience.
Other types of arthritis can be linked to immune-related inflammation. These issues may call for compounds of a strengthening and cleansing nature that will support the immune system and offer anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties for better pain management.
Our top 5 essential oils:
1. Certified Organic Ginger, Zingiber officinalis
Ginger has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial properties. It can support healing from painful swelling, poor circulation and infection.
Ginger's performance in various studies puts it on the table as a natural alternative to steroid treatments. But as Ginger is a warming/stimulating oil, it's best to use it where inflammation is not a significant issue (as this would require a more cooling choice) but where improved circulation would be more beneficial.
Ginger is also safe for use with elderly people.
2. Wild Grown Ravensar, Ravensara aromatica
A rich herbal oil from Madagascar with a myriad of healing benefits it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, diuretic and detoxifying properties and is a great allrounder for supporting joint issues.
As a general tonic and immune-supporting oil, Ravensar is a good choice for inflammatory conditions linked to immune deficiency or disease.
It’s safe for use on children and elderly.
3. Certified Organic Juniper Berry, Juniperus communis
With anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antibacterial, analgesic and tonic properties, Juniper Berry offers excellent coverage for a raft of possible issues. It can provide extra support for sore muscles surrounding a joint and also helps to fortify the immune system.
Not recommended during pregnancy or for children under twelve.
4. Certified Organic Wintergreen, Gaultheria fragrantissima
A cleansing, fortifying oil that is ideal as a restorative tonic on muscles and tendons.
Wintergreen has a high analgesic composition making it excellent for natural pain relief and very common in sports massage blends.
It has other necessary compounds specifically relevant to joint care, such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Not suitable during pregnancy or on children under twelve.
5. Certified Organic Castor Oil , Ricinus communis
The perfect base oil to add nutrient-rich joint food to create your own topical joint-care blends (make sure you use unsulphanated and hexane-free Castor oil).
Castor oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immune-supporting properties and is especially beneficial for supporting lymphatic drainage. Castor oil also promotes healthy circulation.
Castor oil is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you want something that’s ready to use, try one of our two certified organic clinical blends that include some of the above oils and are great for joint related issues: Muscle Tonic and Muscle Rub.
A few natural and effective ways to treat arthritis for pain relief:
Massage:
Add 5 drops of your chosen certified organic or wild grown essential oil/s to a teaspoon of certified organic, hexane free and unsulphanated Castor oil, or nutrient-rich certified organic Avocado oil (if Castor oil is unsuitable for you – see above) and gently massage directly into the affected area.
Overnight intensive treatment:
Add 5 drops of Juniper Berry oil to Castor oil and apply to the joint. Wrap in a cloth and cover with glad wrap – this is to ensure the oil doesn’t seep out. Leave overnight. Repeat every night for 10-21 days, than take a break for 10 days and repeat if required.
Bath:
Add 5 drops Wintergreen, 2 drops of Ravensar, 2 drops Juniper and 1 drop Ginger as well as a tablespoon Epsom Salt to your bath water and soak for 15 minutes.
Please note: It's important to seek advice from your doctor/healthcare professional, or by making contact with a specialist organisation such as Arthritis New Zealand, if you have had any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:
- pain and stiffness in one or more joints
- early morning stiffness in one or more joints
- recurring pain, tenderness, or swelling in one or more joints
- overall aching, joint stiffness and fatigue
- muscle weakness associated with joint stiffness
- difficulty doing daily tasks