Do you often feel exhausted, pain in some parts of your body, and have difficulty getting good sleep at night?
It’s important to see a doctor, as you might have what is called fibromyalgia.
Don’t think that you’re alone in this problem.
Fact is, musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons people visit their physicians [1].
Almost one-third of these patients are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes pain in various parts of the body as well as fatigue and sleeping difficulty [1].
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known but experts believe that genetics, infections and trauma may possibly play a role in the onset of this condition.
While there is no cure for this disorder, certain natural remedies such as essential can help you cope better.
This article reviews some effective essential oils for fibromyalgia and their uses.
Best Essential Oils for Fibromyalgia Based on Evidence
1. Rosemary Oil
One of the essential oils commonly used for treating pain is rosemary oil.
In fact, American scientists included rosemary oil as one of the ingredients of a medication designed to treat fibromyalgia and other painful conditions [2].
The trial when on for eight weeks to observe how well it works for patients with pain due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia [2].
Patients were given 440 mg of the product three times daily for the first four weeks, and 880 mg twice a day for the next four weeks [2].
Results of this pilot trial indicate that the medication successfully reduced pain among patients suffering from this problem [2].
It was also noted that no serious side effects were reported after the use of this medication [2].
This is not a surprise since rosemary oil has been proven to be an antinociceptive agent, which means that it can block pain signals in the brain [3].
How to use rosemary essential oil for fibromyalgia:
- Pour 5 drops of rosemary oil and 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil in a bowl and mix.
- Use this blend to massage your body.
- Repeat once a day until pain subsides.
2. Black Pepper Oil
Black pepper does more than just spice up your dishes.
It holds a multitude of benefits for the health that anyone would surely want to take advantage of.
Science has proven a number of times that it’s potent as an antibacterial, carminative, digestive, antirheumatic, antioxidant and antiarthritic, among many others.
Now for those who are suffering from fibromyalgia, black pepper oil is a reliable remedy that can soothe pain, tenderness and inflammation.
That’s because it contains an active compound with analgesic properties that have been proven effective in reducing pain caused by fibromyalgia [4].
This compound called beta-caryophyllene has been tested in a 2015 study to work in male Swiss mice subjects with fibromyalgia [4].
Beta-caryophyllene can also be found in other spices and food plants such as cinnamon and oregano [4].
How to use black pepper oil for fibromyalgia pain:
- Mix 5 drops of black pepper oil with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Use the mixture to massage your body.
- Repeat regularly.
3. Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is a natural sweetener typically added to desserts and pastries.
When you add these to your sweet treats, they become even richer and more delicious.
Apart from this, this oil extract is also good for the health.
Cinnamon oil can be a boon for those complaining of pain and tenderness all over the body as it contains the same compound as black pepper oil proven effective in treating fibromyalgia [4].
A 2009 study also shows that cinnamon oil in high doses is an efficient analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive [5].
It provides pain relief by blocking the pain signals from getting to the brain, and reducing the body’s inflammatory response.
Now just because this is an edible oil, it doesn’t mean that you can consume it whenever you want.
It’s safe to use but you have to follow certain precautions such as dilute it first in a carrier oil.
For this purpose, cinnamon oil is to be applied topically to relieve pain.
How to use cinnamon oil for fibromyalgia pain:
- Add 6 drops of cinnamon oil to your hot towel.
- Press hot towel gently on painful areas of the body.
- Repeat once a day.
4. Oregano Oil
Another essential oil that you can use to treat widespread pain in the body is oregano oil.
For many years, traditional healers have relied on oregano oil to treat a wide range of health problems.
Most people use it to treat cough and other respiratory ailments.
This is just one of the many things that this essential oil can do for you and your health.
According to the same study that investigated black pepper oil and cinnamon oil, oregano oil also contains that same substance that works well for fibromyalgia patients—beta-caryophyllene [4].
Findings reveal that oregano oil can significantly improve symptoms of this condition [4].
It can alleviate pain and discomfort, and tone down inflammation.
Using this remedy can make you feel better so you’ll be able to manage the condition more efficiently.
How to use oregano oil for fibromyalgia:
- Add 20 drops of oregano oil to your bath water.
- Soak in the bath for 30 minutes.
- Do this everyday for a couple of weeks, or until pain subsides.
- You can do this every night before sleeping to make it easier for you to get a good quality sleep.
5. Lavender Oil
Known for its soothing and calming properties, lavender oil has always been a popular treatment for stress, anxiety, sleeping difficulty and other similar problems [5, 6].
Not surprisingly, this oil can also be used in relieving pain caused by fibromyalgia.
Studies have shown that lavender oil has analgesic activities that are beneficial for this condition [7, 8].
Researchers used acetic and formalin-induced writhing tests to assess the extract’s analgesic properties while the carrageenan tests were used to analyze the anti-inflammatory activities [7].
At 100 and 200 mg/kg dosage, this oil efficiently suppressed both pain and inflammation, reducing also the number of muscular contractions [7].
There were no unpleasant side effects observed after the trial was over.
However, even with the positive results, researchers feel that it’s necessary to make more studies on this matter.
Lavender essential oil recipe for fibromyalgia:
- Mix 15 drops of lavender oil with 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil in a bowl.
- Apply a thin layer all over the body or on painful areas.
- Massage body.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes before wiping off with a clean towel.
- Repeat everyday until pain disappears.
RELATED: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
6. Ginger Oil
Ginger is one of the rhizomes widely cultivated in the world that’s famed for its amazing health benefits.
It’s no wonder that ginger is made in tea form to reduce nausea and treat all sorts of ailments, and also added to herbal formulations and medications.
In folk medicine, the oil derived from ginger has long been used to alleviate pain and inflammation, and resolve numerous conditions including urinary tract infection, arthritis and gastrointestinal problems [9].
Today, many still rely on ginger oil for disorders like fibromyalgia, as it possesses analgesic and antinociceptive properties that can do wonders in reducing muscular pain [10, 11, 12].
In 2010, American researchers from Georgia, USA probed the effectiveness of ginger oil on human pain [12].
The team wanted to do a test on human subjects, as most of the existing studies are done on animals [12].
In this experiment, ginger was given to 74 volunteers, who either consumed it in raw or heated form, or took in a placebo [12].
After 11 days, it was reported that heated and raw ginger had similar success rates in reducing pain intensity, inflammation and other symptoms [12].
Ginger was able to curb pain within 24 hours after a strenuous physical activity [12].
Experts attribute the analgesic properties to the presence of terpene compounds in ginger [9].
Method of using ginger essential oil for fibromyalgia:
- Warm 3 drops of ginger oil and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan.
- Remove from heat.
- Let it cool a little.
- Use a cloth to apply mixture on the body.
- Wrap body with a towel.
- Wait for 5 minutes before removing the towel and wiping off the oil.
RELATED: 10 Health Benefits of Ginger Oil That You Should Know About
7. Eucalyptus Oil
In Brazilian traditional medicine, eucalyptus oil was a go-to solution for colds, bronchitis, fever, and flu [13].
Many people would turn to eucalyptus oil when they have stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, and other respiratory problems.
However, it’s important to know that the benefits of this oil extend beyond this.
With its analgesic activities, it is also an efficient treatment method for fibromyalgia [13, 14, 15].
Findings from these studies indicate that eucalyptus oil can tone down not only pain but also inflammation in various pain-related disorders.
Scientists believe that it’s a good idea to start developing pain killer medications using eucalyptus oil as one of the key ingredients [13].
Home remedy for fibromyalgia using eucalyptus oil:
- Combine 2 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil each with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Apply a thin layer on your body.
- Let it sit for a couple of minutes.
- You can also massage gently the painful areas of your body.
- Wipe off with a clean towel.
- Repeat as necessary.
8. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is closely related to eucalyptus oil, as they both belong in the mint family, and they have similar scent and effects on the body.
Topical application of menthol, an active compound in peppermint oil, can produce a cooling effect on the skin, just like what you get when you use eucalyptus oil [16].
This does not only soothe the skin but also blocks pain signals as menthol is a known antinociceptive agent [16].
This and peppermint oil’s analgesic properties make it a viable treatment for fibromyalgia [17, 18, 19].
Peppermint essential oil recipe for fibromyalgia aches and pain:
- Pour 10 drops of peppermint oil in your bath water.
- Sit in the bath for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Repeat once a day for one to two weeks.
- Combine five drops of peppermint oil and olive oil in a bowl.
- Mix well.
- Transfer mixture to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Pour a few drops of the oil mixture on your palms.
- Gently massage areas that are painful.
- Leave the oil mixture on for one hour before wiping off.
- Do this everytime you feel pain.
RELATED: 12 Uses and Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil
9. Juniper Oil
There is enough scientific evidence to prove juniper’s oil pharmacological benefits as a carminative, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antipyretic agent [20].
This is why, it’s one of the essential oils most frequently used for treating many types of ailments.
Whether it’s a bacterial infection, a fever, or an inflammatory disease—juniper oil has proven its efficacy time and again.
On top of all these, juniper oil is also known for its antinociceptive properties that make it ideal for treating pain-related disorders like fibromyalgia [21].
It is indeed an efficient way of relieving the symptoms associated with this condition.
Like other antinociceptive agents, it also prevents pain signals from getting to your brain so that even when you’re in pain, you will not know that you are.
This decreases the discomfort and distress that’s typically experienced by people who suffer from this condition.
How to use juniper oil for fibromyalgia flare up:
- Combine 5 drops of juniper oil with 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil
- Smear oil mixture on painful areas of the body.
- Massage gently.
- Follow this remedy once a day for up to two weeks.
10. Basil Oil
In 2014, researchers investigated the effects of linalool, a compound present in basil oil, on animals with fibromyalgia [22].
It was found that this compound worked as an antinociceptive agent for “chronic non-inflammatory muscle pain” [22].
These findings are enough to substantiate the reliability of basil oil as treatment for musculoskeletal pain.
It won’t only make you feel more comfortable, it will also help you go back to your normal routine.
How to prepare basil oil home remedy for musculoskeletal pain:
- Pour 20 drops of basil oil into bath water.
- Swish with your fingers to mix.
- Soak in the bath for 30 minutes.
- Do this once a day for one to two weeks.
When to See a Doctor
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is difficult. The signs and symptoms are similar to other medical conditions. However consult with a doctor about your medical history, the severity of the symptoms,etc. If you experience the following:
- Widespread pain in the body muscles that is persistent for at least three months
- Weakness or fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Depression or anxiety
- Lockjaw or TMJ pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Restless legs syndrome
The doctor may run some tests and physical examinations to diagnose the underlying condition.
Essential oils for fibromyalgia are only supportive remedies besides the traditional treatments options to cope with fibromyalgia symptoms.
READ NEXT: 14 Effective Essential Oils for Muscle Pain That Work
