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Nerve pain is usually a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation that happens when a nerve is damaged, injured, or irritated. This pain goes by many different names, depending on the cause and location of the pain, including neuropathy, neuralgia, neuritis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and thoracic outlet syndrome. Essential oils for nerve pain may help manage the symptoms but getting rid of the pain requires dealing with the underlying cause.
Essential Oils for Nerve Pain
Three of the top choices of essential oils for nerve pain are peppermint, helichrysum, and sweet marjoram. However, a blend is likely to be more effective.
Here are six blends that may help. Gently massage a few drops of the blend into the affected area several times a day.
Blend #1
- 5 drops helichrysum essential oil
- 3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art
Blend #2
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 drop coriander essential oil
- 3 tablespoons almond oil
Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home
Blend #3
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops roman chamomile essential
- 2 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil
- 2 drops cardamom essential oil
Blend oils together and a small bottle with the cap. To use, add 3 to 5 drops to 1 teaspoon carrier oil.
Blend #4
- 10 drops helichrysum essential oil
- 10 drops geranium essential oil
- 5 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
Blend oils together and a small bottle with the cap. To use, add 3 to 4 drops to 1 teaspoon carrier oil.
Source for #3 and #4: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Blend #5
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops rosemary ct. cineole essential oil
- 1 teaspoon St-John’s wort infused oil
- 1 tablespoon carrier oil of choice
Source: The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness
Blend #6
To a 5-ml glass dropper bottle, add:
- 20 drops cypress essential oil
- 20 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
- 20 drops ylang ylang essential oil
- 20 drops german chamomile essential oil
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops black pepper essential oil
To use: Blend 15 to 18 drops into 2 tablespoons carrier oil.
Source: The Best Natural Cures Using Essential Oils
Essential Oils for Neuropathy
Neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves. These nerves send signals to your brain. When the nerves don’t work properly, you can have symptoms such as numbness, prickling or tingling, pain, and muscle weakness. Neuropathy most often occurs in the feet or hands and has many causes, including diabetes and alcoholism.
Here are two suggested blends that may help alleviate symptoms from the Essential Oils Desk Reference:
Neuropathy blend #1:
- 3 drops frankincense essential oil
- 3 drops geranium essential oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
Neuropathy blend #2:
- 3 drops geranium essential oil
- 3 drops fleabane (Erigeron) essential oil
- 3 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Dilute the essential oils with carrier oil. Apply a few drops to the affected area 3 to 5 times a day.
Aromatherapy Blend for Leg Nerve Pain
Blend the following oils and apply to legs two or three times a day as needed:
- 5 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- 3 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
- 3 drops helichrysum essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Source: Essential Oils For Healing
Essential Oils for Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain caused by problems with the sciatic nerve, which runs from the buttocks down the back of the legs.
Sciatic Pain Relief Blend #1
- 3 drops geranium essential oil
- 3 drops marjoram essential oil
- 3 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop pine essential oil
- 3 tablespoons carrier oil
Source: Massage & Aromatherapy
Sciatic Pain Relief Blend #2
To a 5-ml glass dropper bottle, add these essential oils:
- 5 drops black pepper
- 10 drops cypress
- 20 drops sweet marjoram
- 20 drops ylang ylang
- 40 drops german chamomile
To use: Blend 15 to 18 drops into 2 tablespoons carrier oil.
Source: The Best Natural Cures Using Essential Oils
Image Credit: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons