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Sciatica
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Sciatica

What is it?
Sciatica is a strong sensation of pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. It can show up as one of these symptoms or all of them: a deep ache, a sharp shooting pain, pins and needles, or numbness, usually on one side. Around 80% of people will have lower back pain at some point, and sciatica is one of its most stubborn forms. The good news is that the soft tissue around the nerve has a rich blood supply, so warmth, increased circulation and rest give the body what it needs to settle things down.

Blend intention

Topical cooling to calm the sensation and speed recovery. Lavender True to quieten nerve activity and ease spasm. Peppermint for its cooling, liquid ice effect on localised pain. Pepper Black to warm the area and drive circulation into the muscles around the nerve to aid recovery. This is the blend Dr Bo used in her own clinic, alongside osteopathic treatment, on a patient who came in bent over double and walked out upright.

Related

Back pain, Cramps, Sore muscles

Ingredients

Lavender True

Lavandula angustifolia maillette

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

Pepper Black

Piper nigrum

Total essential oil:

4 drops


3 drops


3 drops


10 drops

Directions

Blend 10 to 20 drops into 5 ml of certified organic Castor Oil: Virgin, or into a little Arnica Cream if you prefer a cream, and massage into the lower back and along the path of the pain, 3 to 5 times a day for 5 days.

Hot compress: add 10 drops of the blend to hot water, soak a cloth, wring it out and place it over the lower back. Repeat every 30 minutes until the pain eases.

Bath: add 5 drops Wintergreen and 5 drops Lavender True to ¼ cup of fatty milk (any) and 1 cup of Epsom salt. Soak for no more than 15 minutes, then rest with your legs elevated.

Ready-made: Muscle Rub massaged into the lower back and buttock for warmth and relief, or Arnica Cream where the area is bruised or tender. Both work if you would rather not blend your own.

Pregnant? Swap Pepper Black and Peppermint for Ginger and Spearmint, 2 drops each, and use Lavender True at 4 drops in 15 ml of carrier oil or Untouched: Body Hydration. Do not use Arnica Cream during pregnancy.

Safety considerations:

Suitable for adults. Pepper Black, Peppermint and Wintergreen are not suitable during pregnancy; use the Ginger and Spearmint alternative above. Do not use Peppermint on broken or sensitive skin. Therapeutic plant oils are used to support natural body processes for optimum health and wellbeing. The information here is NOT meant as a recommendation to cure any medical condition or disease.

Storage:

Keep in a cool and dark place. Keep out of reach of children.

Best before:

Pure essential oil blends will keep their high-quality therapeutic activity for 3-5 years. Keep in a sealed container away from light.

Important:

Please ensure you use certified organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils and carriers when treating the conditions outlined here. Absolute Essential™ oils are of the highest quality available, carefully extracted to support natural health and skincare.

This blend is made from: