Studies Show Essential Oils Highly Beneficial Against Inflammation

Sue Chao, Research Scientist, told the Convention audience at the 2005 Young Living Grand Convention that inflammation is a signal that something is wrong in the body. The 19th century definition of inflammation as exhibiting redness, swelling, pain and heat is still used by clinicians today. Inflammation is even more of a problem because the “miracle drugs” called COX-2 inhibitors (like Vioxx) were withdrawn from the market because of life-threatening side effects, such as heart attacks.

Problems with bacterial and viral infections still exist, however. The search is on for new materials that possess anti-inflammatory properties. Sue decided to study the possibility of essential oils as effective anti-inflammatory agents. In designing her study, she looked at how nitric oxide is released in the inflammatory process, inflaming tissue and causing tissue damage. If a substance can inhibit nitric oxide, an anti-inflammatory agent will have been found. Seventy-seven therapeutic grade essential oils were tested in a rigorous scientific process. Through a complicated regimen, she found that the oils with a high rate of inhibiting nitric oxide were:

Oregano (most important)
Melaleuca Ericafolia
Dill
Nutmeg
Lemongrass
Peppermint

Other Essential oils that were shown to have intermediate nitric oxide inhibition were:

Lemon
Frankincense
Tangerine
Myrtle
Lavender
Patchouli
Eucalyptus polybractea
Juniper
Clove
Orange
Eucalyptus radiata

Initial testing has identified a number of essential oils with potential anti-inflammatory properties!

Essential Oils for Inflammation

Inflammation is caused from various conditions: bacteria, poor diet, chemicals, hormonal imbalance, or physical injury.

When blood vessels leading to the heart are damaged and clogged, a protein is released into the bloodstream called C-reactive protein. The level of this protein indicates the degree of inflammation in the linings of the arteries. Certain essential oils have been documented to be excellent for reducing inflammation.

A teaspoon of Wintergreen is the equivalent of almost twenty-two adult aspirin, so you’d only need to use a drop with a carrier oil. Oregano has been shown to reduce inflammation by 94%. Myrrh oil is rated as the second best anti-inflammatory essential oil. Frankincense resin is the best treatment for arthritis. These oils can be mixed with neutral oils such as Grape Seed oil or Olive oil and be applied directly to part of the body suffering from inflammation. They can also be used in diffusers for a constant stream of low levels of oils into the brain and body as a whole. Best of all, there are no side effects from the use of essential oils.

There are different types of inflammation for which one oil might be better than another:

Tissue and capillary damage, bruising or loss of oxygen: Myrrh.
Inflammation due to bacterial infection: Roman Chamomile and Lavender.
Inflammation caused by viral infection: Ravensara, Hyssop, and Oregano.

Single Oils:

• Wintergreen/Birch with Helichrysum, Frankincense, Hyssop, Myrrh, Marjoram, Ravensara, Lavender, Oregano, Roman Chamomile, Cypress, Peppermint, Spearmint, or Spruce.

• Mountain Savory, Clary Sage, Lemongrass, Sandalwood, Rose, Acorus Calamus, Valerian, Spikenard, or Fir.

• Melaleuca alternifolia with German Chamomile, Tangerine, Thyme, Hyssop, Eucalyptus radiata, Jasmine, Pepper, Petitgrain, Idaho Tansy, Tarragon, Yarrow, Citronella, or Coriander.

Recipe 1:

10 drops Fir essential oil
6 drops melaleuca Tea Tree essential oil
4 drops German Chamomile essential oil
2 drops Peppermint essential oil
2 drops Lemongrass essential oil

Recipe 2:

6 drops Frankincense essential oil
6 drops Fir essential oil
6 drops Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil
4 drops Ravensara essential oil
3 drops Wintergreen/Birch essential oil
1 drop Peppermint essential oil

Mix in ½-1 ounces massage oil or massage oil base. Apply on location.

Essential Oils for Chronic Pain

Did you know that Peppermint essential oil is one of the best oils to use for blocking pain.  A recent study by Gobel et al., in 1994 showed that peppermint blocks calcium channels and substance P. important factors in the transmission of pain signals, according to the Essential Oils Desk Reference.  Other essential oils that have pain-relieving properties includes helichrysum.

For chronic pain, try peppermint, helichrysum, spruce, birch, basil, cypress, ginger, clove, rosemary, tansy, and valerian. 

For bone-related pain in hips, shoulders, etc. try birch, cypress, fir, spruce, pine, peppermint, and helicrysum.

For muscle-related pain, try basil, peppermint, rosemary, and marjoram.

For muscle pain or inflammation, try peppermint, lavender, nutmeg and black pepper.

For inflammation, try patchouli, spruce, basil, chamomile, and geranium. 

For joint pain, try birch, cypress, fir, spruce, pine, peppermint, and helichrysum.

Massage the oil on location, mixing with a carrier oil such as almond or jojoba to cover the affected area.