Over the course of a day, our hands do a lot of work. It’s no wonder that according to the CDC 24% of Americans suffer from arthritis—with many of those cases affecting the hands. Although there are different types of arthritis, the most common type is Osteoarthritis. This is when the wear and tear of daily life breaks down the cartilage or protective layer between bones. Over time the bones in affected joints become weaker and the connective tissue holding the bones together deteriorates. A lot of inflammation also takes place, which further affects the lining of your joints.
There are various measures you can take to curb the affects of the arthritis in your hands, hips, and joints, we’re here to discuss some essential oils that can help.
Allspice
This oil is an analgesic, meaning that it provides minor pain relief, and antioxidant. For this reason, Allspice is great to use in massage blends to reduce stiffness.
Fir Needle
Keep muscles relaxed and blood flowing with this stimulating oil. Fir Needle helps with minor pain.
Helichrysum bracteiferum
Reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation with Helichrysum bracteiferum.
Lemon Eucalyptus
In addition to adding a delightfully refreshing aroma to massage blends, Lemon Eucalyptus fights poor blood circulation. This oil can also be substituted for Lemon.
Turmeric
Turmeric is fantastic for combatting inflammation. Minimizing inflammation is a great way to ease pain.
All these oils must be diluted with a carrier oil before topical application and gently massaged into the desired area, such as wrists, palms, and knuckles. Read more about the importance of diluting oils here and check out our dilution chart here.
Please note that this list is designed to help you start your journey and is by no means exhaustive. Refer to our individual Essential Oils A to Z entries for more in-depth discussion of each of our 100+ essential and absolute oils. Check out our “Head to Toe Series” archives here.
*For informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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