Physical Wellness
Essential Oils for Neuralgia & Neuropathy
Customer question:
Are there essential oils that I can use to help ease the symptoms of my 83 year old grandmother’s neuralgia?
e3 Answer:
Given that your grandmother is in her 80’s I would recommend starting with a 3-5% dilution of essential oils in a carrier oil such as Rose Hip or Tamanu. It is generally best to start with a lower dilution rate and increase if needed. When recommending essential oils for your grandmother, I took into consideration her age and health status. I chose the following essential oil for their beneficial properties, and because when used in proper dilution are safe for her to use.
Single essential oils suggestions:
- Helichrysum Dilute– helps to ease nerve pain, support immune & lymphatic systems, and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
- Lavender, E. Europe or French – antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory. Lavender is known for its calming and soothing properties both physically and emotionally and is considered an adaptogenic (helps to restore balance).
- Geranium– immune and lymph support, antibacterial, anti fungal, skin tonic and also known as an adaptogenic
- Peppermint – analgesic, cools over heated skin, eases nerve pain
e3 Synergy Blend suggestions:
Your other option is to look at the Synergy Blends such as Head Soothe and Inflammation Blend
Head Soothe ingredients: Chamomile Roman (also very calming and soothing emotionally and physically), Geranium, Lavender and Peppermint. (I personally use this essential oil blend a lot. I use it for headaches, muscle aches and sometimes when I am just feeling stressed.)
Inflammation Blend ingredients: Chamomile German (one of the best anti-inflammatory essential oils), Helichrysum, Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree (a good all round antibacterial, anti viral, antifungal) and Wintergreen. (Wintergreen main chemical component is Methyl salicylate which basically acts similar to a topical aspirin. Wintergreen does need to be used with caution but given that it is only a part of this blend and if you use this blend in 3% dilution you should not have any problems.)
I would recommend that you do a small patch test on the inside of your grandmother’s elbow with any essential oils that you choose. Blend the specific oil or blend to be used in the chosen dilution. Apply the diluted oil to the inside of your grandmother’s elbow, preferably cover and leave for 24 hours. If redness or irritation occurs apply a vegetable oil, then wash with soap and water. It is always best to check for any reactivity before applying essential oils to larger areas such as in a compress or massage.
What is neuralgia & neuropathy
Neuralgia: recurrent pain along a nerve pathway, without any nerve damage or inflammation.
Neuropathy: damage to peripheral nerves (other than spinal or those in the brain), generally starts as tingling in hands and feet and slowly spreads.
Possible contributing factors: diabetes, alcoholism, vitamin B12 deficiency, tumors, too many pain killers, exposure and absorption of chemicals, metals and/or pesticides, injury.
Suggested essential oils for neuralgia
Yarrow Achillea millefolium – anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic
Peppermint Mentha piperita – antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans – analgesic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic
Geranium Pelargonium graveolenes – adaptogenic, stimulating, astringent, sedative
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole – analgesic, antidepressant, digestive, nervine
Sandalwood Santalum album – anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative
Clove Syzygium aromaticum – analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic
Ginger Zingiber officinale – analgesic, antispasmodic
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia – analgesic, anti-depressant, adaptogenic, sedative
Tarragon Artemesia dracunculus – antispasmodic
Basil Ocimum basilicum – analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, balancing
Clary Sage Salvia sclarea – antispasmodic, sedative, nervine
Suggested essential oils for neuropathy
Peppermint Mentha piperita – antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
Juniperberry Juniperus communis – anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent
Geranium Pelargonium graveolenes – adaptogenic, stimulating, astringent, sedative
Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum – antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, nervine
Lemongrass Cymbogogon flexuosus – analgesic, antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia – analgesic, anti-depressant, adaptogenic, sedative
Basil Ocimum basilicum – analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, balancing
Cypress Cupressus sempervirens – antispasmodic, vasoconstrictor, sedative
Marjoram Sweet Origanum marjorana – anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
Tangerine Citrus reticulata – antispasmodic, sedative, calming
Patchouli Pogostemon cablin – stringent, sedative and tonic
Blue Tansy Tanacetum annum – anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Ylang Ylang Extra Cananga odorata – nervine, sedative
Application Methods
Suggested Dilution: 1-10%
It is generally best to start with a lower dilution rate and increase if needed.
How to make a 1-5% dilution
1% would be 6 drops drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil
2% would be 12 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil
3% would be 18 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil
4% would be 24 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil
5% would be 30 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil
Bath: Mix 4-8 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil. (You can also add the essential oil to 1/2 cup of whole milk or heavy cream.) Set aside. If you have muscle aches, add Epsom or Dead sea salts. Fill the tub with warm water and immerse yourself. Add the essential oil mixture and swirl the water around you. Massage your skin and breathe in the aroma. Remain in the tub for 10-15 minutes.
Compress: Fill a basin with water. (Warm water relaxes and increases circulation. Cool water invigorates and relieves inflammation.) Add 3-5 drops of essential oil and briskly stir. Lay in a washcloth, wring, and apply to the area in need. Dip, wring, and apply 3 more times. Leave the last compress in place for 3 minutes.
Massage: Mix 6-60 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce of carrier oil or fragrance-free, natural lotion. Apply to the specific area in need.
Essential oils recipes for neuralgia and neuropathy
Recipe #1
- 10 drops Juniperberry
- 10 drops Geranium
- 10 drops Helichrysum
Recipe #2
- 15 drops Geranium
- 10 drops Helichrysum
- 6 drops Cypress
- 10 drops Juniperberry
- 5 drops Peppermint
Mix Recipe #1 or Recipe #2 with carrier oil such as Tamanu or Sweet Almond or an all natural lotion (one that does not contain any petroleum or synthetic fragrance.) Apply to area in need up to 3 times per day.
Related Articles and Research
Botanicals and dietary supplements in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Antioxidant activity of linalool in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
This study was designed to determine the effects of linalool inhalation on oxidative stress in patients with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). CTS is a common peripheral neuropathy injury; oxidative stress is considered a major cause of CTS.