Essential oils for rheumatoid arthritis: Do they help?

Below are six of the best essential oils for RA symptoms, alongside scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.

1. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus contains several compounds that may help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. A 2013 study examined its effects in people who underwent total knee replacement surgery.

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Participants who inhaled preparations of eucalyptus essential oil at 30-minute intervals for 3 days in a row reported less pain and had lower blood pressure readings compared to those who inhaled an almond oil control.

A person can inhale eucalyptus oil by adding a few drops to a basin of hot water and inhaling the steam.

2. Frankincense

Practitioners of traditional medicine have used frankincense or “Boswellia” essential oil for thousands of years to treat a variety of ailments, including chronic pain and inflammation.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the acids in frankincense have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. They may also help to reduce autoimmune responses and prevent cartilage damage.

A person can inhale frankincense or apply it to the skin. Always safely dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying them topically.

3. Lavender

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Lavender essential oil contains active substances that may have beneficial effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cell-regenerating effects.

A 2016 study investigated the effects of aromatherapy massage on RA of the knee. In this study, the essential oil was a 5% mixture combining lavender, juniper, ylang-ylang, and rosemary essential oils in the ratio of 3:3:2:2 in 100 ml of coconut carrier oil. Participants received a 30-minute massage once a week for 6 weeks.

Pain and fatigue scores significantly decreased in the aromatherapy massage group compared to a control group that did not receive any intervention.

The study authors concluded that the aromatherapy massage could help to manage pain and fatigue in people with RA, although it is unclear whether the massage or essential oils themselves were beneficial.

A person can inhale lavender essential oil, or dilute it in a carrier oil to add to a bath.

4. Ginger

Ginger has a longstanding reputation for reducing chronic inflammation due to the anti-inflammatory effects of gingerols, which are compounds in the ginger plant. Ginger essential oil may contain other compounds that help to ease the symptoms of RA, too.

A 2016 study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger essential oil in rat models of RA. Rats that had received injections of the oil exhibited reduced rates of chronic joint inflammation. However, further studies involving human participants are necessary to confirm the effects.

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People can try diluting ginger essential oil in a safe amount of carrier oil and applying it to the joints.

5. Turmeric essential oil

An older study from 2010 funded in part by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health found that turmeric essential oil reduced joint inflammation in rats. Research is underway to determine the effects on people.

A 2016 review reports that turmeric extract appears to reduce symptoms of arthritis, though more research is necessary to support this claim.

6. Basil

Basil contains a wide variety of potentially therapeutic compounds. Examples include 1.8-cineole, which has anti-inflammatory effects, and linalool, which research has shown to reduce swelling in mice and rats.

An older 2013 study found that rats with induced arthritis showed reduced joint swelling after receiving a daily oral dose of 150-300 mg per kilogram of body weight of basil essential oil extract. The authors concluded that the basil oil had delivered significant anti-inflammatory effects.

The rats in this study also had less edema and a lower risk of cartilage damage. Edema refers to a buildup of fluid and is associated with inflammation.

Doctors generally do not recommend taking essential oils internally, so a person should try applying basil topically in a carrier oil instead.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
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