Essential Oils for Nerve Pain

By David Roulston Last updated Jul 26, 2020

Today you will discover the best essential oils for neuropathy or nerve pain.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is made up of various essential nerves that are used to connect the CNS (central nervous system) to the rest of the body.

These nerves are the ones responsible for transmitting crucial signals back to the brain. There are, however rare occasions when these nerves end up getting damaged or destroyed.

This results in a painful disorder known as “neuropathy.” This article will briefly explain the causes of Neuropathy and how nerves regenerate. Before showing you which essential oils are best for nerve pain.

What is Neuropathy

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Neuropathy is a generic term that is used to refer to various common types of nervous disorders. These including numbness, nerve pain (neuralgia), tingling and nervous system weakness. All of which occur when the peripheral nervous system has been damaged.

Individuals suffering from neuropathy are likely to experience pain even when they are suffering from no injury whatsoever or fail to experience pain when they have been hurt.

Neuralgia: Intense, intermittent pain along a nerve pathway. There are a number of different types of Neuralgia:

Postherpetic neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia
Migraine neuralgia

This disorder, which affects the sensory, autonomic and motor body nerves has been widely shown to be caused by various factors. Below are the common causes of nerve pain.

Severe alcoholism.
Exposure to harmful toxins like insecticides, solvents, and heavy metals.
Physical injuries.
Vitamin B1, B6, B12 and E deficiency.
Cancerous tumors.
Taking certain medications.
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Common diseases like diabetes and HIV.

Can Injured Nerves Heal

There are six levels of nerve injury(¹). The level of nerve injury will determine the best treatment. Essential oils can help the nerves heal for the first 3 levels of injury.

Nerve Recovery and Regeneration

The nerve will try and repair itself by regenerating nerve fibers. The nerve units will grow down to the skin or muscle and try to make a connection. If it makes the connection then this will restore nervous function again. This process is called reinnervate. When this happens you will recover muscle function/skin sensation.

More than 50,000 people a year in the U.S. suffer nerve injuries.

But if the nerve units don’t make the correct connection then no nerve recovery will happen. This is beyond the scope of this article, if however you want to learn more.

The Top 8 Essential Oils for Nerve Pain

There are currently no scientifically proven remedies for neuropathy. You can, however, use the natural, non-invasive, side effect-free essential oils provided below. These will help to alleviate nerve pain which is a major symptom of neuropathy. Below are the leading essential oils for nerve pain that you can use to improve the quality of your life. The most useful essential oils for pain and inflammation include:

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is a potent adaptogenic that is popularly known for its amazing soothing and calming properties. This oil is also a natural antidepressant that can be used to minimise the harmful effects of stress on the body. Lavender essential oil’s stress relieving and calming properties. Have been widely shown to significantly help in relieving nerve pain and nervous tension.

This popular natural pain reliever was shown in various clinical trials to be as effective as some popular pharmaceutical analgesics and anti-inflammatories. That are used to alleviate nerve pain. Lavender oil, unlike other popular essential oils, can be directly applied to the skin without dilution.

It is, however, important for people with a super-sensitive skin and those wishing to apply it on a larger skin area are to always dilute it before use.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

According to various scientific studies. Peppermint oil has the ability to provide reliable nervous system support and increase circulation. Both which are super-effective ways to alleviate nerve pain. Peppermint essential oil which has a strong, fresh, minty aroma contains menthol. This compound has been widely proven to not only help people relax but also help to ease their nerve pain, muscular aches, and tension headaches.

Menthol also has the ability to stimulate both the central nervous system and the mind. A scientific study that was published by the “International Headache Society (Cephalalgia)”. Indicates that nerve pain can be easily alleviated by using a combination of ethanol, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil.

Another study revealed that Peppermint oil has the ability to improve blood circulation. Which is needed to ease the numbness and pain that is often associated with neuropathy.

3. Helichrysum Essential Oil

Helichrysum is definitely another potent essential oil that can be used to provide nervous system support and ease nerve pain. Multiple scientific studies indicate that people suffering from serious nervous disorders. Like chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis can benefit greatly from using this potent nerve pain alleviation oil.

This potent essential oil that works wonderfully on painful shingles. Is a great natural pain reliever that can be used to manage neuropathy and other chronic pain conditions. This is due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Helichrysum oil also has the ability to prevent the nerve damage that is often associated with injury and aging.

Kindly note that this essential oil is quite potent, hence; should always be used sparingly.

4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil which contains various anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties is a popular essential oil. That can be used to alleviate nerve pain and any other painful discomfort.

According to the “University of Maryland Medical Center,”. Eucalyptus essential oil contains antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. That are quite effective at reducing the numbness and pain that is associated with neuropathy.

You can easily stimulate your body nerves while also improving your overall blood circulation. Simply by massaging this essential oil on the affected area. Eucalyptus oil is quite powerful that it is often recommended to treat strong nerve pain, muscular aches, and sprains.

5. Rosemary Essential Oil

According to the “University of Maryland Medical Center,”. Rosemary essential oil can be used to manage neuropathy thanks to its ability to relieve muscle spasms and pain as well as improve blood circulation(²) . Rosemary oil’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties also make it a potent natural essential oil for nerve pain alleviation.

Various scientific studies indicate that this essential oil can be used as a potent natural pain killer. It works on its own or in combination with popular pharmaceutical and natural analgesics to improve their effectiveness. Rosemary essential oil can be used to manage neuropathy. Due to its antidepressant, nervine and analgesic properties.

6. Rose Geranium Essential Oil

A 2013 scientific study found Rose Geranium essential oil to be more potent and safer. Than, most popular pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory remedies. The essential oil was shown to easily treat arthritis, specifically rheumatoid arthritis. Which is known to cause nerve pain and neuropathy in general. Rose Geranium has also been widely shown to offer pain relief against various nerve-related disorders including shingles.

This is one of the best essential oils for shingles nerve pain.

Reliable scientific studies indicate that this essential oil. When applied topically, has the ability to temporarily alleviate nerve pain. Rose Geranium also contains potent sedative, astringent, stimulating and adaptogenic properties that are quite beneficial for healing damaged nerves. Also the number one essential oils to treat shingles.

7. Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil

Sweet Marjoram oil contains potent anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. That are ideal for alleviating nerve pain. These beneficial properties can also be used to alleviate stomach cramps, migraines, toothache, and headaches. Sweet Marjoram is a great essential oil for managing neuropathy.

As it not only acts as a natural painkiller but also works to boost the central nervous system.

This oil can also speed the healing rate of body nerves when they are damaged. The woodsy, spicy natural essential oil also contains warming and calming properties. That are quite beneficial for nervous tension.

8. Ginger Essential Oil

Gingerol is an active compound in Ginger essential oil that provides it with its potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are very important when trying to manage neuropathy.

A scientific review that was carried out on the essential oil revealed that Ginger oil. Has the ability to alleviate joint inflammation, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

All which are known to cause nerve pain.

According to reliable scientific findings. Ginger oil works in the same way as popular Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in alleviating nerve pain(³).

CONCLUSION

All the top 8 essential oils for nerve pain provided above can be used to control neuralgia (nerve pain) which is a major symptom of neuropathy. The potent essential oils also have various scientifically proven health benefits.

Hence; are guaranteed to improve your overall health and boost your immune system. Apart from using these essential oils, you can also implement various lifestyle changes to improve the quality of your life. As a example you could start walking but don’t forget some comfortable walking shoes for men.

You should, however, always dilute an essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it topically on your skin. It is also possible for you to experiment with various essential oil blends until you come across one that actually works for you.