Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions. The disorder affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States and roughly three to six percent of the world’s population. Fibromyalgia is most prevalent in women, who account for 75 to 90 percent of affected individuals. However, it also occurs in men and children of all ethnicities.
Beyond severe chronic pain, fibromyalgia can exhibit many other symptoms as well. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia besides pain include:
- Fatigue
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Impaired sleep
- Intolerance to cold and/or heat
- Cognitive dysfunction (often referred to as “fibro fog”)
- Muscle spasms
- Dizziness
- Restless leg syndrome
With so many people moving away from traditional pharmaceutical treatments, alternative therapies are on the rise. People are seeking natural fibromyalgia treatments to avoid using strong medications such as prescription opioids. Some of the most common alternative therapies are various oils, essential and otherwise. Compiled below are nine of the most effective oils for fibromyalgia.
1. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has powerful analgesic properties, which help reduce the severity of pain associated with fibromyalgia. In addition, peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties as well. Reducing inflammation also can reduce the associated aches and pains it causes. The antispasmodic properties can be a great benefit to individuals with muscle spasms and/or cramps.
Plus, the scent of peppermint oil can help clear “fibro fog” and relieve fatigue. Peppermint oil also has shown promising results with improving memory, reducing congestion and boosting nervous system health.
2. Black Pepper Oil
Black pepper oil is one of the best oils for aches and pains, such as those commonly experienced with fibromyalgia. It helps to warm muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation and reduce stiffness. However, extreme caution should be exercised with this oil as it is incredibly strong. Never allow direct skin contact.
3. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is another popular oil with strong analgesic properties. It helps fibromyalgia sufferers combat the inflammatory aches and pains. One of the reasons rosemary oil is so popular is it can be applied topically, unlike many other oils.
In addition to reducing pain, rosemary oil can be used to reduce cellulite, encourage hair growth, heal the skin and alleviate headaches.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most popular therapeutic oils, with a wide variety of medicinal applications. Not only does lavender oil provide some of the best anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in all of the plant kingdom, it also can improve sleep by promoting relaxation and calming sensations. In addition, lavender oil can help ease swelling and improve blood circulation.
5. Ginger Oil
An incredibly versatile essential oil, ginger oil is great for a wide array of things. It contains significant anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic properties, all essential components for successfully treating fibromyalgia symptoms. Plus, ginger has powerful anti-emetic properties, which can be helpful for individuals suffering from fibromyalgia-induced nausea.
6. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. It is also great for stimulating, increasing and improving blood circulation. Many common fibromyalgia symptoms, such as muscle aches, soreness, and stiffness all are associated with poor circulation. This makes eucalyptus oil a powerful tool in combatting fibromyalgia. In addition, due to this oil’s invigorating nature, it often is helpful in alleviating fatigue.
7. CBD Oil
CBD oil’s popularity as an alternative therapy has increased substantially during the last few years, even though cannabis has been used medicinally since ancient times. Numerous studies have shown CBD oil provides many medicinal properties, including:
- Antiemetic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Antipsychotic
- Anticonvulsant
- Anti-tumoral/anti-cancer
- Antidepressant
- Anxiolytic
- Analgesic
For individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, this makes CBD oil a powerful alternative therapy to standard medications.
→ For more information on how CBD oil can help with fibromyalgia, click here.
8. Jasmine Oil
A report in Fibromyalgia News Today noted jasmine is a viable option for combating many common fibromyalgia symptoms. One of its most powerful medicinal properties is a sort of sedative. This means it can help improve the quality and duration of your sleep.
In addition, jasmine oil also works as an antispasmodic. This can be great for those with restless leg syndrome as it can work to calm the muscles and nerves, helping eliminate spasms and tremors. Plus, jasmine oil is also a great disinfectant and has significant antidepressant properties as well.
9. Basil Oil
While most people consider basil an essential kitchen spice and nothing more, the essential oil actually offers powerful medicinal benefits as well. Perhaps its most significant medicinal property is as an antiemetic. As mentioned previously, many individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from symptom-induced nausea. Oftentimes it can be induced simply by the excruciating pain often felt with this disorder, other times by the dizziness and/or “fibro fog.”
Basil oil also can help alleviate nervous tension, fatigue, depression and improve your overall mood. Plus, it can help reduce pain from headaches and boosts brain health as well.
Conclusion
By now you have a solid grasp of the numerous oils that can benefit those with fibromyalgia. If you or someone you know is battling this debilitating disorder, use this list as a guide in adding viable alternative therapies to an existing treatment regimen.
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Sources:
http://www.fmaware.org/about-fibromyalgia/prevalence/
http://essentialoilsanctuary.com/10-essential-oils-for-fibromyalgia-fibrositis-plus-3-recipes-application-tips/
https://fibromyalgianewstoday.com/blog/2016/09/20/fibromyalgia-and-essential-oils/
https://paindoctor.com/essential-oils-for-fibromyalgia/
