9 Therapeutic Organic Essential Oils For Sore Muscles
The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in popularity for the health and fitness industries. Although our society has always been obsessed with losing weight and having strong muscles, the demand for lifestyle options that will help people both look and feel their best has been on the rise. If you’re a new participant in the CrossFit, yoga, pilates, Zumba, or any of the other workout styles that have become popular lately, you’ve probably suffered through more than a few days with painfully sore muscles. Therapeutic essential oils to the rescue! Keep reading to learn more about why your muscles get sore and how the organic oils we have available can help.
Why Do Muscles Get Sore After A Workout?
At some point in your life, you were probably told that soreness after a workout is caused by a buildup of lactic acid in the muscle tissue. While it’s true that lactic acid does flood your muscles after a workout, it dissipates almost completely within a few hours.
So why are your muscles so sore the next day that climbing the stairs into your office makes you want to cry?
The answer is complex and still only partially understood by the medical community, but it has to do with the fact that exercise causes microfractures in your muscle, and soreness is the result of the natural healing response triggered by these “injuries.”
Of course, working out isn’t the only way we become sore. Sometimes it’s the result of muscle tension that’s caused by stress and it could also be a symptom of a larger medical issue, such as rheumatism, arthritis, or the result of sitting or standing for a long time.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that therapeutic essential oils can provide fast, natural relief. Let’s look at a few of the best therapeutic essential oils to use for muscle soreness.
Best Therapeutic Essential Oils For Soreness
Lavender - When it comes to therapeutic essential oils that deliver a big bang for the buck, lavender is the clear leader. Lavender has been revered for centuries because of its anti-inflammatory, calming, and analgesic qualities. Lavender has also been known to decrease swelling and improve blood circulation, both important if you feel stiff because of extreme soreness.
Rosemary - This is another all-purpose therapeutic essential oil to keep in your medicine cabinet. Rosemary is known to have elevated analgesic properties which can work wonders for aches, pains, and even arthritis.
Black Pepper - Wait, isn’t black pepper something you sprinkle on a baked potato? Yes! But the black pepper plant also produces an essential oil that improves circulation and relieves pain. Use it both before and after your workout for best results!
Thyme - A popular herb for cooking, the essential oil produced by thyme can also have profound therapeutic effects on a sore body. In addition to relieving aches and pains, thyme has also been known to lower blood pressure.
Ginger - Remember how your grandmother used to make you ginger tea for an upset stomach? Ginger essential oils have a similar soothing effect on your aching muscles! It’s also very effective for relieving joint pain in those who suffer from arthritis.
Eucalyptus - This relative of myrtle has a lovely fragrance but a home decoration isn’t its only practical use. Eucalyptus oil has strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a therapeutic addition to lotions that can then be rubbed over aching muscles and joints.
Marjoram - This herb has been long-appreciated for its therapeutic properties, including brain health, blood pressure regulation, and indigestion. You should also know that marjoram essential oil has excellent warming, soothing, and antispasmodic properties as well!
Peppermint - There’s a reason that peppermint flavor is included in mints, gum, and toothpaste--it’s refreshing! This menthol effect can also be beneficial for aching muscles. That’s why we recommend adding a few drops of peppermint essential oils to a bath or massage oil.
Cypress - The essential oil produced by this tree has anti spasmodic qualities, which can be a therapeutic tool for cramps, swelling, stress, tension, and muscle pains of all kinds.
Goddess of Spring Has A Wide Selection Of Therapeutic Essential Oils
Want to see if some of these therapeutic essential oils can help with your own post-workout woes? Good news! Goddess of Spring LLC carries each and every one of the oils mentioned on this list. Shop our full collection online now!