Why do we have muscle pain and aches?
Who has never suffered from muscle pain following unusual physical exertion? Of varying intensities, they correspond to inflammation of the muscles due to the elimination of waste accumulated during intensive activity. They can take different forms such as aches which appear a few hours after exercise or during certain infections such as the flu or cramps which correspond to involuntary muscle contractions. Although they are benign and disappear on their own, they can still be painful enough to bother you for a few days. Natural remedies exist to relieve muscle pain and aches, such as wintergreen essential oil.
NOTE: discover our many recipes, mixtures & formulas a little further down!
Why use wintergreen essential oil for muscle pain and aches?
The essential oils of lying wintergreen And odorous are two oils extremely renowned in the world of sport for overcoming muscle pain such as aches, cramps or contractures.
Our pharmacist's opinion
1 - The benefits of wintergreen essential oil against muscle pain and aches
Known for its many virtues, wintergreen was already used by the Indians and the Inuit, mainly as an infusion, to calm pain and reduce fever. Also anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, it helps fight cramps and muscle pain thanks to its heating action. Highly appreciated by physiotherapists, it is used to prepare major athletes before physical exercise and to promote recovery and relaxation of muscles after exercise.2 - How does wintergreen essential oil work against muscle pain and aches?
Mainly composed of methyl salicylate, the basis of what we today call aspirin, wintergreen essential oil has no equal in relieving aches and cramps after intensive physical effort.Vasodilator, it participates in the regulation of blood circulation, the muscles are better irrigated and warm up, which limits the occurrence of contractions or cramps. In addition, methyl salicylate significantly inhibits enzymes involved in the inflammatory mechanism.
How to use wintergreen essential oil against muscle pain and aches?
In this indication, wintergreen essential oil is ideally used cutaneously, pure or in combination to increase its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, in particular.
Complete recipes and formulations
Muscle pain - Cutaneous use
Pure application: simple and effective
Massage two drops of wintergreen essential oil onto the affected area (if it is small and very localized), repeating if necessary. Read wintergreen essential oil precautions before use.
Source: My 1,000 prescriptions by Danièle Festy.
In case of muscle cramps
In a 10 ml amber glass bottle fitted with a dropper, mix:
- 1 ml of essential oil lying wintergreen
- 1 ml of super lavandin essential oil
- 1 ml of rosemary camphor essential oil
- 1 ml of tarragon essential oil
- St. John's wort macerate 3 ml
- Arnica macerate 3 ml
Place a few drops at the level of the cramp. Massage locally as needed, repeat every ¼ hour until improvement (3 times a day maximum).
Source: My bible of essential oils by Danièle Festy.
In case of post-traumatic edema or sore muscles after sport
In a 5 ml glass bottle fitted with a dropper, mix:
- 30 drops of HE lying wintergreen
- 5 drops of peppermint EO
- 30 drops of lemon eucalyptus EO
- 10 drops of Italian helichrysum EO
- 20 drops of rosemary camphor EO
- Complete with arnica macerate to the top of the bottle
Apply a few drops in prolonged massages to the entire traumatized area, 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
Source: My bible of essential oils by Danièle Festy.
To relax muscles and drain lactic acid produced during exercise or an infection.
Mix in a 50 ml bottle:
- 90 drops of essential oil fragrant wintergreen
- 30 drops of juniper essential oil
- 30 drops of camphor rosemary essential oil
- Calophyll vegetable oil: fill to the top of the 50 ml bottle
After the bath, massage the painful areas or areas affected by contractures, 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
Source: Treat yourself with essential oils by Françoise Couic-Marinier.
Muscle pain - Oral use
Wintergreen essential oil is not indicated orally to treat muscle pain and aches.
Muscle pain - Diffusion use
Wintergreen essential oil is not useful when diffused or inhaled to treat muscle pain and aches.
Other essential oils useful for muscle pain and aches
- Super lavandin essential oil: anxiolytic, calming and sedative thanks to the monoterpene alcohols and linalyl acetate it contains, this essential oil acts on the nervous system and reduces the excitability at the origin of tension in the muscles and the appearance of cramps.
- Noble laurel essential oil: appreciated for its antispasmodic properties which help inhibit muscle pain and stiffness.
- Red myrtle essential oil: known for its decongestant and invigorating activity on the circulatory system, sometimes the cause of poor venous drainage which can lead to muscle cramps.
Precautions & information
Before using each essential oil, be sure to take note of the precautions to follow. For example, certain essential oils are photosensitizing, dermocaustic, prohibited for pregnant women, children, not recommended for people with epilepsy, the elderly, hypertensive people, etc. or even prohibited in cases of hormone-dependent problems or mastosis.
These precautions and restrictions are available either on the bottle of the essential oil concerned, or on the “product page” of our site.
In general, for any use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Consult a medical opinion if you are already taking medication or if you are subject to a chronic illness (asthma, hormone-dependent pathologies, etc.). The information given on this page does not constitute a prescription, it remains given for informational purposes and in no way engages our responsibility. The known properties, examples of use and routes of administration presented in this file are general information taken from authoritative bibliographies in the field of essential oils and aromatherapy.
Using essential oil is not without risk. If in doubt, seek medical advice.