For a few years, I suffered from back pain so intense I could barely walk. I’d drag myself around the house, leaning on kitchen counters and other surfaces, because it hurt so much to move.
This torturous pain also kept me up at night. I slept fitfully, because I couldn’t get comfortable in bed.
Eventually, a holistic doctor diagnosed me with severe nerve inflammation. She prescribed various natural remedies. I did everything she said, and now feel 100 percent better. The back pain has pretty much disappeared.
I still have some discomfort, but it’s lot less intense and it’s much lower in my legs. It doesn’t prevent me from walking and I know my body is slowly healing.
Peppermint Oil for Back Pain
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Essential oils have been a big part of my treatment plan, especially in recent years. I often use peppermint essential oil for pain relief, as it contains natural analgesic agents, which work much like OTC pain relievers, only a lot faster and without potentially serious side effects. They also contain substances believed to reduce inflammation, naturally lowering the pain, as well as contributing to your overall health.
Anything that reduces excess inflammation is a good thing, as this is what fuels the disease process.
Peppermint Oil for Nerve Pain
Peppermint oil is also considered a “nervine.” This is a plant-based medicine that has a positive effect upon the nervous system, giving it a gentle healing push.
It’s unfortunate most mainstream physicians don’t tell patients with chronic pain to first try essential oils, instead of over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDS, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. These drugs can have serious and event potentially life-threatening side effects. They are well-known for causing digestive disturbances, ranging from gastric upset to severe stomach or intestinal bleeding. Sometimes, this is fatal.
According to the American Nutrition Association, which published a report called Deadly NSAIDS, these drugs likely kills about 16,500 people a year, in the United States alone. Far more, about 107,000 patients, are hospitalized with serious complications. In addition, noted the ADA, these are conservative estimates.
Peppermint essential oil, on the other hand, is exceptionally safe. But it shouldn’t be applied to the skin when it’s not diluted in a “carrier oil.” It should also not be used if you’re pregnant.
This natural remedy also stands the test of time. For thousands of years, peppermint has been used in cultures around the world. It’s one of the oldest medicines we know of.
Peppermint Oil Pain Relief
In addition to using peppermint essential oil for my body aches, I also use it to replace the toxic chemicals I once bought for housecleaning. (Peppermint works much better anyway.) During the spring and summer, I also use it as a natural insect repellent. (Ants don’t like its smell.) So I do buy a lot of it.
So far, I’ve purchased four different brands of peppermint essential oil, including one from Plant Therapy, which is shown here. This is a 100 percent pure oil made by a family-run business in Twin Falls, Idaho. All of its oils are tested, once in house, and again by an independent lab. This ensures they are pure and potent. My first bottle of Plant Therapy peppermint oil went very quickly, as it’s a very versatile oil.
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Peppermint Oil for Pain
Peppermint oil can be used for pain once it’s diluted in a carrier oil. The standard recommended dilution ratio is 1 or 2 drops of this oil, placed in a neutral carrier, such as fractionated coconut oil.
Although it seems as if you’re using very little, peppermint essential oil is very strong. By some estimates, 1 drop contains the equivalent medicinal compounds of 15 to 40 cups of peppermint tea.
The carrier oil also makes it a more effective remedy. Essential oils exposed to the air evaporate quickly. Putting them directly on your skin is a bad idea for two reasons. One is that they’re so strong they can cause irritation. Also, they tend to dry out before reaching your cells. A carrier oil transports them inside your body.
Peppermint essential oil alone is can be used for aches and pains. But it seems to work even better when it’s mixed with other aromatics, since the different ingredients create a synergy. Here’s a really easy aromatherapy pain relief recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of pure olive oil.
- 3 drops of peppermint oil (available here)
- 2 drops of clove bud oil (available here)
Mix these ingredients together and store in a clean glass jar, with a lid, away from heat and light. Use as needed. I’ve used peppermint oil alone. I’ve also ordered a special pain relief formula called Rapid Relief Synergy Blend, which contains peppermint as well as nine other essential oils chosen for their natural analgesic properties. This is a blend I often recommend to my readers who are looking for natural pain remedies.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
For Additional Reading
Essential oils, though, will only take you so far. Unless you make some dietary and lifestyle changes, chances are your chronic pain is here to stay. The good news, though, is that you’ll find a growing number of anecdotal reports of people with fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic inflammation getting better, without drugs.
I’m one of them. That’s why I created an easy-to-follow online course that describes everything I did. It contains more than 20 instructional videos, as well as text articles. While I can’t promise that anyone else will see the same results, my natural healing program has given me my life back. Click on the image below for more information.
