Neuralgia often causes chronic pain—you may have sharp, burning, or tingling pain along the nerve anywhere in your body. Patients with this condition can experience trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain), sciatic issues, or postherpetic neuralgia (nerve pain following shingles), and finding relief may seem like an uphill battle. The problem with medical and surgical interventions is that not only have these been expensive, but they also possess many side effects, as well as varying rates of success.
This is where essential oils provide a sweet, non-toxic alternative! In addition to offering effective pain relief, these powerful botanical extracts can have a calming effect on the nervous system and provide emotional support during times of chronic, painful conditions. This article will explain how essential oils can help alleviate neuralgia, suggest some of the best ones to consider, and provide ideas on when they could be used.
The Best Essential Oils to Use for Neuralgia
Not all essential oils are created equal, and therefore some of them may be useful in specific applications for the management of aching nerves. Some of the best oils showing advantages in alleviating symptoms of neuralgia are discussed below.- Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender: scented, with calming and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender essential oil is ideal for combining with red tea. It massages and relaxes the muscles, de-stresses you, and that means one can reduce the possibility of feeling stress-related symptoms such as a lowered immune system. This can mean that nerve pain reduces too. There are studies proving that lavender can reduce pain levels and increase the quantity and quality of sleep, which is an important factor when one lives with chronic pain.
- Directions: Diffuse in the evening or dilute with carrier oil, then apply a few drops onto sore muscles before bedtime.
- Peppermint oil-Mentha piperita
Preliminary studies are showing that menthol contained in peppermint oil can cool the skin, with the process thereby numbing painful nerves. Analgesic effects are also great in most cases of trigeminal neuralgia and sciatica pain.
- Application Method: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil and massage it on the area of requirement. Peppermint oil may also be added to a warm compress and applied for added relief.
- Eucalyptus oil-Eucalyptus globulus
One of these is eucalyptol oil, which possesses potent anti-inflammatory action to act on the stimulation of blood flow and combating against swelling around inflamed nerves. It finds its place very easily in postherpetic neuralgia, where inflammation takes a huge part in the disease process.
- How to Use: Inhale fumes of eucalyptus oil in the form of steam inhalation or apply topically, diluted on the area of pain, for instant relief.
- Frankincense Oil-meaning Boswellia carterii
Frankincense has anti-inflammatory action and heals nerves. It suppresses the firing of hyperactive nerves, thus quickly emerging as a potential candidate for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and other chronic neuropathic pain states.
- Directions: Apply topically to the area of concern, or—if appropriate—aromatically in an ultrasonic cold-mist diffuser.
- Clove Essential Oil Syzygium aromaticum
Eugenol, a compound contained in the oil of cloves, has a natural anesthetic effect. This, therefore, makes it useful in the case of specific area nerve pains-it works to numb painful nerves.
- How to Use: Mix clove oil with a carrier oil and lightly massage over area of pain, or simply add to your bath.
