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Essential Oils for Neuralgia Relief: Quick and Gone!
In thinking through my options, realized pain meds like those were only going to mask the symptoms and not HEAL whatever was irritating the facial nerve.
Last month I woke up with a dull earache and annoying pain radiating from my right ear along my upper & lower jaw. I didn’t want to spoil our vacation with pain as it was the night before we were to leave on an impromptu driving vacation to the Pacific Northwest. Plus…I was worried about an untimely ear, sinus, tooth or gum infection!
Pressed on my ear to clear the Eustachian tubes, but the discomfort still nagged. Carefully rubbed around each of my teeth to check my gums. They were fine. Pressed across the base of my sinuses from my nose to the outer jaw along the pain line. The sinuses didn’t seem swollen or inflamed.
Hmm? Wondered what could be going on? Seriously considered using Aspirin or other analgesic (such as Ibuprofen), an indication of how uncomfortable I really was since I rarely EVER take meds. Simply am not a pill-taking sort of person.
In thinking through my options, realized pain meds like those were only going to mask the symptoms and not HEAL whatever was irritating the facial nerve. Then, amused at my overlooking the obvious, I told myself to use some of our essential oils stash as I have $100’s worth purchased over the years.
Which Essential Oils Would Be Most Effective for the Neuralgia?
Since my quick self check pretty much ruled out an infection, figured I was dealing with some sort of virus irritating the major facial nerve VII (the same one dentists dull with Novocaine to do fillings). Nerve irritation and pain are symptoms of INFLAMMATION. So, that was the key. Which essential oils are BOTH anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving)?
Two popped to mind immediately: GERMAN CHAMOMILE and PEPPERMINT.
* * *
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), a gently healing, deep indigo blue, therapeutic essential oil, contains chamaluzene, the strongest anti-inflammatory ingredient in ALL essential oils, and alpha-bisabolol (an important indicator of value). The most bio-active compounds in German Chamomile, both exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic (fever reducing & anti-inflammatory), antiseptic and anti-spasmodic effects.
It also has lactone compounds like coumarin with a distinctive “green / freshly mown grass” fragrance renown for anti-inflammatory effects that may be used to reduce lymphedema swelling & puffiness, as a nervous system sedative (calming / pain-killing), while being supportive of the liver (detoxing), and an immune system booster (minimizing auto-immune dysfunction).
PROPERTIES: Analgesic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, decongestant, digestive tonic and is hormone-like.
* * *
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has a strong, fresh, clean, minty aroma. This powerfully healing essential oil enhances the theraputic effects of the other essential oils when layered on after using other oil. It’s often diluted for topical applications.
PROPERTIES: Analgesic / Bone-Nerve Pain, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory for Prostate & Nerves, antiseptic, antispasmodic, refreshing & invigorating, nerve stimulant.
Application of Essential Oils For Nerve Pain Relief
I used 1 full strength drop each of both German Chamomile & Peppermint therapeutic-quality essential oils ~ rubbed gently into my skin along the pain pathway until completely absorbed (less than a few minutes time).
I also applied second drops of both essential oil on the back of my neck at the base of my hairline. This was to calm the nerve(s) as close to the source of the inflammation as possible, where it initiates from the brain stem & spinal column since I suspected latent Herpes virus to be the irritating culprit.
Within 15 minutes or less, the pain was noticeably less. I went back to sleep for a couple more hours. By the time I woke up, the pain was GONE and never returned!
We had a lovely vacation. And you can bet, I took my favorite ‘must have’ essential oils and blends along, just in case I might need them myself or for someone else.
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ILLUSTRATIONS:
Facial Nerve paths credits: Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Head_facial_nerve_branches.jpg
PHOTOS:
Peppermint herb: http://3morganic.com OR http://breatheeasyoil.com/peppermint-oil
SOURCES:
A Farm Project: CHAMOMILE – GERMAN by Richard Alan Miller © 1999 offers a scientific discussion of German Chamomile’s active compounds with commercial cultivation suggestions and research comparing various medicinal preparations: steam distillation vs. alcoholic extracts, herbal teas (tissanes), etc.
http://www.nwbotanicals.org/oak/altagri/chamgerm.htm
Info on Facial Nerve VII:
The motor part and sensory part of the facial nerve enters the petrous temporal bone into the internal auditory meatus (intimately close to the inner ear) then runs a tortuous course (including two tight turns) through the facial canal, emerges from the stylomastoid foramen and passes through the parotid gland, the largest of the salivary glands, where it divides into five major branches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve, performs both motor and sensory functions. Branching up from the brain stem, it divides into smaller nerves that reach into the face, neck, salivary glands and the outer ear. These branches control the muscles of the neck, the facial expressions, and the muscles of the forehead. They also stimulate secretions of the lower jaw and those salivary glands which are in the front of the mouth. Along with this, they report taste sensations from the front two-thirds of the tongue and carry sensations from the outer ear.
http://www.innerbody.com/image/nervov.html
44 thoughts on “Essential Oils for Neuralgia Relief: Quick and Gone!”
what about lower back pain ana lumps on bottom of feet
Hi Marie ~ Give these essential oils a try. They’re amazing for anti-inflammatory effects and pain relief. What’s causing the lumps on the bottoms of your feet? That sounds really unusual to me?
hi there
My friend has had tmj pain for years. A dentist just made a terrible mistake and broke her tmj mold of 20 years by propping her mouth open too wide. It sent fragments into her nerves there. Complex nerves there as you know. She has been in bed on anesthesia (her husband is a doctor) and can not move due to the severe pain. Wringing her hands all day. She is a loving mom, my best friend since childhood, the strongest Christian I know and has 8 kids naturally and 2 adopted this year. She is keeping the faith but the pain meds have shut down her intestines. She has to take a shot in the tummy and miralax to move them. This is dangerous if she goes septic. We are hoping and praying for a breakthrough…a way to get her pain down do the gut can heal and a doctor to fix her jaw. The nerve block Friday was unsuccessful, sadly. We are still praying. My friend Jolean told me about you. Did I meant you in Mt. Dora at Christmas? You look familiar. Do you have any ideas for me for the pain and inflammation and digestive situation. We are so wanting to help her and don’t want to lose her. thank you so much
Christy
Readers FYI: I replied to Christy privately by email as her friend’s situation sounded so awful I thought possibly it could have been a spam comment. Turns out it was real… Here’s my initial reply:
6-4-14 Hi Christy ~ What an awful situation for your friend!
There ARE essential oils that can reduce pain w/o impairing intestinal function and help the body heal nerves and other damage. The pain is an indication of the physical trauma and on-going irritation to her nerves, of course. Essential oils are not likely to remove a physical object embedded in her tissues.
My concern is that she’s been in this situation for awhile (how long)? Can surgery be done to remove those fragments ASAP, so she can begin to recover? Why the delay? If she doesn’t have a replacement TMJ mold to use that could also be a source of on-going pain.
Although I am a Certified Clinical (Medical) Aromatherapist with hundreds of hours of study and over a decade of essential oils use experience, I am NOT considered a medical professional in the USA. Therefore I cannot prescribe. I can do more research / share what others have done to deal with severe pain and physical trauma (as a paid health consultation via our Aromatherapy For You service).
I can also recommend a friend, who does energetic Theta healing prayerwork. That process may be able to support your friend’s body in rejecting the mold fragments and healing the TMJ issue.
Best wishes to your friend. Let us know what she decides to do.
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After numerous email exchanges over 3 days with helpful option suggestions, the family likely made it’s own decisions on how to proceed.
Christy, how is your friend? I have neuralgia and a topical cream of capsaicin and lidocaine have helped me. I tried clove oil orally on the area of nerve pain and rubbed it full strength on my face. So far, my pain has decreased. I’m praying for your friend. Please, let me know if I can help. Leannmahlke@hotmail.com
I have pain from my neck that shoots down to my shoulder an right arm that is chronic. Doctors believe it is cause by block nerves. Does Matricaria recutita work for this and if so how to I buy it to try it?
Hi George ~ Have your doctors checked your neck for vertebrae injuries or bone spurs irritating your nerve?
Yes, pure steam-distilled German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) essential oil reduces inflammation and eases pain. Suggest using it in combination with Lavender and Peppermint essential oils. You may purchase quality oils from various on-line suppliers like NaturesGift, and OriginalSwissAromatics, etc. Or from health food grocery stores like Whole Foods. Where do you live?
I could’ve been the author to this article….my reason for the pain is probably different from most….I have a childhood history of……injury….my skull and face have dozens of fractures, breaks, none of which were ever treated….fast forward to my late 30’s when a ct w/contrast showed the massive damages…..FINALLY, I had an explanation for the bone/face pain! The light sensitivity and pain from weather/pressure changes……now for the bad news…..I’m not a candidate for most options to fix or to reduce pain(injections) no way to know where all the displaced nerves are. I’ve used essential oils for years…but nothing helps when it’s bad like it is now. I knew the Chamomile would help, but had no idea which to try….I’ve been applying to the back of my neck, but wasn’t putting it in the right place. I read this, got out my oils and put them on, (won’t have the Chamomile until tomorrow) But applying the Lavender & Peppermint oil on my jay(uncut) and the hairline on the back of my neck…..15 minutes later…..most relief I’ve had in 3 weeks…..
What awful suffering you’ve endured! Lize,
Glad you found our article….and happy to hear Lavender and Peppermint EOs are offering you welcome relief! Awesome!! The key is to use essential oils with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and nerve soothing properties. You could also consider trying Rose Geranium and Helichrysum in your treatments. Keep us informed with what works for you. Much appreciation for sharing your comment with us.
Thank you so much Cynthe….I’m definitely going to give those a try….Blessings to you & yours!
Thanks! Lize ~ Have a lovely weekend.
I got brow lift 5 months ago now i am illness like can walk and my head my face lightly numb I feeling my nerve can’t heal and it get worse by day
After surgery my nose bridge both side twitch bad and now it painful inside my face my tongue twitching my my inner ears pain and ringing bad
My Balance. problem
Should my nerve healing and myself get to normal
By time
Or should Doctor with surgery to fix the nerve?
I am dying now
Someone please help
I have 4 lovely children I need to be strong mom to taking care of them
Thank all
Kayla ~ Sounds like you are very uncomfortable. Have you talked to your doctor who did the surgery? Are these symptoms you are having normal for that surgery? Are you on any medications? If so, could the symptoms be related to medications? Tell us what your doctors’ say, then we may be able to help with essential oils that do assist nerves to heal and with some balance issues.
I glad to meet you. He don’t Know how to do brow lift
He mistake my nerves
My face muscle twitched bad than I got botox injection
Had been 2 month and now it start twitching again
Now under my nose or top of my mouth roof is very painful like pain go to my brain
My head muscles pull and turn my head off my inner ears hurt and right ear ringing. I went to many Doctor most of them said I am waiting for time nerve healing them self for 6 months to year or over
But I don’t feel my nerve healing I feeling it go worse now my head pain out of control what I should do I need to come to the hospital? Please help thankful
Kayla ~ Sounds like your facial surgery went very wrong. Please do not do any more botox. That will not be useful, except for a very short time.
Do you have health insurance? Do you have a regular doctor, who could refer you to a good cosmetic surgeon who would know what nerves have been injured and help you? You need a good doctor who understands what has happened and what you are experiencing and is willing to help.
The doctors you have talked to are correct telling you nerves take a long time to heal. They do. Essential oils very well may be able to help your nerves heal faster, but my concern is your ‘out-of-control’ pain. Oils might be able to help, but I don’t know for sure? Have any doctors been willing to prescribe pain medication for you? Of course, pain meds have to be given carefully because many can cause addiction problems. The essential oils never would.
Have you used essential oils before? Do you have any at your home?
My FACIAL nerve disorder it effect my spinal? After surgery my neck and full back really painful, my body weakness
I went to hospital 4 weeks ago and did all test they did MRI MY NECK STRAY bad, MRI MY BRAIN GOOD
THEY DID EMG MY HEAD NORMAL my FACIAL nerve all mistake
They just give me the muscle relax medicine
But my nerve pain that medicine can’t help
I can’t take gabapentin
Have any pain medicine for nerve pain for you to recommend me?
Should I get nerves surgery to repair my FACIAL nerve?
I can’t live with nerve painful and body weakness for years
Please help, what should I do?
I hope you understand me, I am not writing good in English
Thank all
Kayla ~ I understand your English mostly. I’m not sure what you mean by “my neck stray bad.” Do you mean VERY bad?
Just so you understand about the facial nerves and spinal nerve and how it affects your neck…those 5 major facial nerves ALL come from one brain nerve at the top of the spine. So if the facial nerves are damaged, then it WOULD affect your neck and over all spinal nerve. What a terrible situation!!
Does the doctor who did the surgery work at the hospital you went to? You, your husband, and family should seriously consider a medical malpractice lawsuit. It will take you a long time to heal and the surgeon should not be doing this work at all!!
Are you able to pay for my time in a full consultation to research what essential oils are best for nerve pain and healing? I can would find out if your body nerve damage will respond well to essential oils and which ones would be best for you to use.
If you can’t afford a consultation, then I would suggest you buy and use the oils discussed in my articles on pain. Buy ONLY steam-distilled pure essential oils (not dilutions / not cheap oils) for their medicinal properties. Pure essential oils will disappear into your skin within seconds. You don’t need to wipe them off.
WARNING: If you use PEPPERMINT essential oil (which is very good for nerves / pain), use it last on top of the other essential oils. It will make your eyes make tears. That’s okay, just keep your eyes shut until it evaporates. Be CAREFUL and NEVER get essential oils in your eyes!!
Yes , I have peppermint. But it doesn’t. Last long
Where I can buy essential oils ?
I don’t have any Insurrance.
Today I go to see a doctor who expiriance for brow lift roblem . I hop he will help full
Thank all
Kayla ~ Essential oils have to be used often. The body uses their healing compounds and then you need to put on more. Keep your oils with you and use them as much as you need to. I buy some of my essential oils from Nature’s Gift. They have good quality oils. To research more information for you we will have to do a paid consultation.
Hope the doctor you go to see can give you good advice and encouragement.
Hello everry one ,
How is nurve grow to heal ? I don’t feel my nurves healing
It going wose. Now I can’t do any thing and can’t. Eat well My body weakness and pain full I am going to. Dy
What I can do to management the pain ?
I have these exact same symptoms. They come and go. I find using steam with peppermint oil and breathing it in 10 min several times a day brings relief. Also alternating between cold and hot helps too.
Good you’ve figured out ways to find relief. It’s empowering to learn to care for ourselves.
I don’t know if you can help, but I’ve been treating a pinched nerve now for almost 4 weeks. The pain at first was so intense, it was more than I could bear. Used many different oils, which didn’t give me any pain relief. Ended up at the ER and NOTHING they gave me helped…at all. I’ve been in chiropractic care (for years) and they couldn’t relieve the pain. Finally got a cortisone shot and it was the only thing that gave me any kind of relief. I finally was able to deal with the pain level. I’ve continued the chiropractic care, even tried acupuncture, and kept using my oils, but can’t seem to get much more relief. I use Young Living Essential Oils and have been using Valor, Deep Relief, Lavender, Copaiba, Frankincense, and Peppermint. I’ve put it directly on the back of my neck where the pain is originating and I’ve put it down my arm, hand, and fingers where the pain is radiating. I’ve used ice and hot compresses. I’ve put 5 drops each of Idaho Balsam Fir, Copaiba, and Frankincense in vegetable capsules and swallowed it. I don’t have German Chamomile and don’t have time to order it. I’m trying to get ready for a vacation in five days and I need more relief by then. Oh, I’ve also started putting the oils on my hand and feet along the vita flex points. I just don’t know what else I can do to get relief!
Gosh! Jan ~ Sounds miserable. You and I must be on the same ‘discomfort schedule’ as I’ve been dealing with stubborn back injury (severe spasms and pain) for about the same length of time.
A couple of questions come to mind:
1) How do you know it’s a pinched nerve and not some other issue? (My concern would be to rule out any potential heart problems.)
2) If it is a pinched nerve, do you know of any good osteopath or cranial sacral practitioner that you could go see for an adjustment? That was what made the difference for me and allowed my back to start healing.
Sounds like you’ve got excellent oils, but it seems you need someone who can work with your spine / muscles to release whatever’s causing the pinching / pain.
Thank you Cynthe, great article with very useful information. At the moment I do not have any Roman Chamomile Essential Oil. Is there any oil which could substitute for Roman Chamomile with similar properties?
Thanks for ALL you do.
Hi Patrice ~ Thanks for your kind words. Glad to know you and others find our information helpful.
Due to its versatility and long history in traditional herbal medicine, Roman Chamomile is fairly easy to buy on-line or at health food stores that carry natural remedy products. In the context of neuralgia, it’s being used for anti-inflammatory and nerve soothing properties. Eucalyptus EO might work. It combines well with Lavender. Pine EO may be helpful as well and can be used harmoniously with Eucalyptus. Neither of these are a direct substitute for Roman Chamomile however. What EOs do you have on hand?
I had an old filling replaced Monday. The dentist hit a nerve and now I have paresthesia. Two thirds of my tongue is numb and it feels like needles 24/7. I’m told this could last a few weeks to months. Is there a healing oil for this?
Gosh! Wanda ~ That sounds uncomfortable. There ARE essential oils that calm injured nerves, are analgesic (pain-relieving), and support them in healing. Two that come to mind are German Chamomile and Helichrysum. You could mix a few drops of each in melted (lukewarm, not hot) organic coconut oil to apply around the tooth where the nerve was injured…and on the outside of your jaw as well. The oils don’t taste good, but they are powerfully healing and likely will speed the process of your body repairing the injury. Helichrysum essential oil is expensive, a little goes a long way, 5ml bottles should be fine…maybe your dentist will pay for it? (wishful thinking!)
I’ve seen my chiropractor almost daily and sometimes twice daily for adjustments. It has improved, but still hurts a lot behind the shoulder blade, under my arm occasionally, and in my forearm occasionally and my fingers are still numb. By having two sets of xrays, one from the ER, one from my chiropractor, and a CT scan from the ER, it was concluded that I have a compressed (pinched) nerve. The only way to see if there’s anything more would be to get an MRI, which would be $800. Also, I don’t believe that a heart condition would start with a “pop” by my shoulder blade.
Jan ~ A compressed nerve also would not begin with a ‘popping’ sound or sensation…much more likely to be from a torn muscle, ligament, or tendon compounded by discomfort from the compressed nerve. What was going on when the injury happened?
You may need to find an excellent osteopathic doctor to assess the injury or a physical therapist to help you figure out how to relieve the discomfort. Essential oils can help with a muscle, ligament, or tendon injury, but they won’t fix a compressed nerve. Some ideas of which essential oils to use are mentioned in our article ‘Heal Sprains and Strains Quickly…Naturally.’ Or you can consider other blends we’ve created for joint and muscle injuries.
My chiropractor can help with the compresses nerve. My niece, who is a massage therapist, suggested it could be a ruptured or inflamed bursa.
It could still be just a compressed nerve, though if something moved. I was asleep on the couch, woke up and stretched my left arm. That’s all I did.
That’s a weird accident, Jan. I experienced a ruptured bursa behind my knee in 2001. Happened suddenly with an odd move and took months for the body to reabsorb the viscose fluid. Has your niece done any bodywork on you? Can she feel a lump that could be a problematic bursa? There are oils to help reduce fluid build-up…like Cypress. Do you have a good oils reference book to get other ideas? Doubt your shoulder, arm, and finger sensations are from a bursa issue though….sounds much more likely the compressed nerve is the origin.
Cynthe,
I read your wonderful article “Essential Oils for Neuralgia Relief: Quick and Gone!” and I have a question about my wife.
She experiences stabbing nerve pains, mostly in her hands, but sometimes in her feet. She describes the pains like an ice pick stabbing her. The pain only lasts for a second, but they are extremely intense.
She has diabetic neuropathy in her hands and feet, and is generally bedridden.
I am always trying to find ideas that may bring her some relief to her many health problems, and was wondering if the essential oils that you listed might be beneficial for the stabbing pains. I have several of the essential oils, but not German Chamomile, which I will purchase in a heartbeat if it might help.
Again, thank you for the wonderful article.
Jackson
Jackson ~ Appreciate readers like you who, besides caring for loved ones, look for natural holistic solutions to help relieve discomfort and promote healing. German Chamomile is a very strongly anti-inflammatory essential oil as well as being analgesic. It’s my personal go-to oil, especially for mouth wounds like bitten lips.
BUT not everything works all the time. Just used this very combination attempting to relieve a nagging, distressing neuropathy from a irritated facial nerve and it didn’t help. Ended up using an over-the-counter pain killer (first time in years). Go ahead and add the German Chamomile to your EOs collection, so you have it available to try out. Here are articles discussing various ways we’ve used German Chamomile for minor health issues.
However, the report you sent looks VERY promising….and I’ll comment further there.
Sorry for the second post, but I came across a (very small) study that sounds very promising for peripheral neuropathy using essential oils and I wonder if you had seen it. Here is a link:
http://theida.com/ew/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Neuropathies-Essential-oils-show-promising-results-in-the-fight-against-symptoms.pdf
I’d be interested in your take on it.
p.s. Is there a reference book on essential oils that you would recommend? So many of them look promising, then after reading reviews on Amazon, they all seem to have a slant toward one company or another.
Thank you for your time,
Jackson
Jackson ~ These are EXCITING case studies, which I had not seen before! Read through the article quickly and can confirm, based on my training and education, the oils she chose to work with are very well regarded for all the reasons the author states. Rose Geranium, especially, is known to help nerves heal and can reduce neuropathy symptoms.
So wish the author had included her synergistic formula, which I was looking for eagerly. I could determine a synergistic formula with the four essential oils she suggests: Black Pepper, Rose Geranium, Peppermint, and Rosemary, as part of a consultation though would not be able to know exactly what the author’s formula might have been.
You can also learn to make synergistic essential oils blends via essential oil references. My favorite book is written by Connie and Alan Higley, which you can find on our ‘Essential Books’ Amazon store. They are Young Living Essential Oils users, but the book is still excellent and accessible. Another well regarded author without company affiliation is Shirley Price, a British aromatherapist trained in the French aromatherapy tradition. The book I have has been written for Health Professionals and is a bit too ‘medical’ for the average reader. D. Gary Young (of Young Living Essential Oils) is positively inspired with his information and passion about essential oils’ healing potential. I have read a number of his articles, some of his books, and need to add more to my reference library. I own a number of Valerie Worwood’s books, but don’t find myself using them much. This may change as I find more time to read.
I contacted the author of the paper and requested her formula that she used. If I get a reply, I’ll post it here.
Thanks for all the info. Too tired to look into it tonight, but first thing in the morning I’ll check them out.
Thanks for your help.
I have piriformis muscle syndrome, the muscle contract, therefore pinching the sciatic, sending electrical sensations down my leg wrapping the inside of my right foot causing it to feel like a hot iron is on it, also down the other side wrapping to the top of my right foot with the feeling as if it had just been whacked with a crowbar – I have major problems sitting or lying down – – I can sit for approximately 10 minutes before feeling like I’m getting electrocuted. I can lie down only on my left side for maybe two hours if I don’t move. There is many nights I am on my feet for hours because that is the only way without feeling the electrical sensations. Instead of pacing the floor to stay on my feet, are usually threw myself into some kind of project, laundry, cooking, baking, oil painting, anything to keep me on my feet until I am so tired and exhausted that I can lie down and pass out for 2 to 3 hours. I have been to multiple doctors, 2-MRIs, 3- x-rays, PT, dry needling, exercises at home, Cortizone injection into the piriformis with no relief, steroid injection into the L5, S1 with no relief, steroid injection into the sacrialic with no relief, steroid epidural into the caudil with no relief, electrical stimulation and ultrasound. The ULTRASOUND is finally giving some relief. I missed about six weeks of ultrasound treatment because the machine was broke and I noticed the severe pain returning. Prior to seeing the doctor and seeking treatment I was using peppermint oil and deep relief, they seem to help momentarily a little for a short time.
I would appreciate any suggestions on what kind of essential oils I can use orally or topical to help heal nerve and relieve pain and inflammation.
Hi L ~ Piriformis muscle syndrome sounds quite horrible! Your description of all the things you tried make the situation sound a bit complicated. Do you know what the exact causes of your symptoms are?
In doing a bit of research found suspected causes include:
~ Muscle spasm in the piriformis muscle, either because of irritation in the piriformis muscle itself, or irritation of a nearby structure such as the sacroiliac joint or hip
~ Tightening / Swelling of the piriformis muscle, in response to injury
~ Bleeding in the area of the piriformis muscle.
When did your symptoms start? After an injury of some sort? Do you have a structural anomaly? Have you considered acupuncture? Gentle Yoga stretches? Therapeutic massage as ways to address the discomfort and malfunction?
Essential oils can reduce inflammation, relax muscles, relieve pain, and help nerves heal over time…but the key to healing would be to stop the spasms and reduce factors causing the irritation. You could consider our ‘Best Health Consultations‘ to identify what therapies and essential oils may be most effective for your situation.
Hi, I was just diagnosed with glassopharyngeal neuralgia yesterday. It has been excruciating and the pain seems to have moved from my tonsil area to the tongue and ear. It feels like it is camping out in the ear canal right now. Can you recommend how to use the peppermint oil and any othe oils that you found to work to get rid of pain! I heard someone else say she drinks tangerine evil in water and how that really worked. I’m desperate and don’t want to take drugs for the rest of my life!! Thank you so much for your advise!
Sharon
Sharon ~ The glassopharyngeal neuralgia sounds AWFUL from the info I looked up! You could apply the essential oils mentioned in this article in layers (first one EO, then the next, and then the third) to your neck behind and under your jaw bones, around the back of your ears…especially where it dips in behind the ear lobes.
You could also do what the other person did with tangerine EO (did she have this same issue?) or use peppermint…just a toothpick swirl or two…as strong as you can stand it in a fatty liquid like coconut milk or organic dairy milk. A whole drop of peppermint is very intense, so experiment. Another essential oil that’s amazing for pain is Clove. I would definitely consider using some Clove EO in the drink. You can use it on your skin, too, but always diluted with jojoba or coconut oil since it can irritate the skin used straight.
After easing your discomfort, an important concern is what is causing the glassopharyngeal neuralgia? Has your doctor determined this yet? Please insist on a thorough diagnosis to address, and help your body heal the cause of the nerve irritation.
I am looking for EO’s that will help my mother. She has many ailments, but her major three are: primary lymphodema, fibromaylgia, diabetes. Can you tell me what oils to rub on her as well as which ones she can ingest. She is in so much pain and carrying around SO much extra fluid (even with her legs wrapped!)
Thank you!
Tracy ~ My heart goes out to you and your very ill mother. Is the lymphodema in her legs due to congestive heart failure? Or some other cause?
~ Fibromyalgia is often a symptom of intolerance of nightshade foods like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes; tobacco and caffeine; and aspartame. A change in diet and careful management of food ingredients can relieve the illness and associated pain. There are many resources discussing this on the internet. Here are a two:
http://www.chronicbodypain.net/foods-to-avoid-when-you-have-fibromyalgia/
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/link-between-nightshades-chronic-pain-and-inflammation
~ There are MANY essential oils that can moderate blood sugar levels or support pancreatic function in diabetes: Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Geranium, Ginger, Hyssop, Lavender, Rosemary essential oils all come from edible spices and herb plants. Others are essential oils from trees: Cypress, Eucalyptus, Juniper, and Pine. One combination of essential oils you could try is:
8 drops of Clove EO – 8 drops of Cinnamon EO – 15 drops of Rosemary EO – 10 drops of Thyme EO in 2oz of melted organic virgin coconut oil or jojoba oil. Rub on soles of feet and over pancreas area. Watch insulin intake carefully, may have to reduce dosage. Keep your mother’s doctor informed.
Often diabetes can be aided with dietary choices. My maternal grandmother had diabetes and managed her health via diet.
Let us know if any of these suggestions help your mother’s health and well-being.