Managing Fibromyalgia with Essential Oils

In continuing our managing Fibromyalgia series, our next tip is using essential oils/aroma therapy to help manage your Fibromyalgia symptoms. I'm obviously not a doctor, and any new treatment method should be discussed with a medical professional, but there are more than 17,000 medical studies on essential oils that prove their therapeutic benefits for a number of health concerns—among these are chronic pain, depression, and stress, so it's worth discussing. Because each essential oil is different, you can customize your experience and combine specific oils to maximize the healing medicinal properties that you need to help battle the symptoms that you have.

Essential oils are essentially plant extracts, and contain the essence of an herb or plant. It is the healing properties of these plants that are infused into these oils, and it’s not the scent that can make you feel better- it's the herbal/healing components that you take in. Chemicals from the herb get absorbed, these chemicals eventually reach your limbic system — the network of nerves in your brain that controls your instincts and emotions- so using essential oils can alter your perception of pain and potentially improve your mood. After using, you can feel the affects in as little as 30 minutes, and the affects can last hours and can be easily reapplied as needed. ​

You can use essential oils via aromatherapy (it's important to note that smelling perfumes, air fresheners or scented candles isn’t aromatherapy. True aromatherapy uses extracts from the leaves, stems and other parts of healing/aromatic herbs and plants and allows you to utilize the healing properties derived from those herbs), topically, or by ingesting them directly- whether you inhale the scent, or absorb it, the healing properties end up in your bloodstream where the healing happens, and here's a few ways to use essential oils:

• Aromatherapy:
  • Inhaling its aroma by waving an open bottle under your nose or smelling a cloth containing a few drops of the oil
  • Using a mister to spray it into the air or onto linens or clothing
  • Putting it in a diffuser 
• Topically:
  • Diluting it with a carrier oil (a neutral oil, such as almond, coconut or grapeseed is great, using a 1 drop essential oils to 3 drops of carrier oil) and rubbing the mixture directly it onto your skin in the affected area or where you can easily smell the aroma. It's important to use a carrier oil for many reasons: you can cover a larger surface area with oils, carrier oils help to absorb more oils as 70 to 80 percent will flash off if placed directly on the skin rather than used with a carrier oil, and because carrier oils have larger particles, and they also slow down the absorption rate of the essential oil so it lasts longer. (Do small swatch on skin first to ensure you do not have an adverse reaction before applying more generously.)
• Ingesting:
  • If you consume the oil directly, ensure that the oil is a USDA-certified organic oil that is labeled as a dietary supplement. 
• Other:
  • You can also use oils to clean. Antibacterial oils, such as oregano, can be rubbed onto kitchen and bathroom counters, and relaxing or invigorating scents can be added to homemade all-purpose cleaners. 

There are a number of essential oils that provide relief not only from the discomfort of chronic pain, but also the anxiety and stress that come along with it, and with the rise of holistic therapies and popularity of essential oils in popular culture, it makes sense that Spoonies use essential oils to help them manage their Fibromyalgia symptoms.

Here is a list of some popular essential oils commonly used in the chronic pain community:

• Basil: Energizing and uplifting, with anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant and decongestant benefits.
• Peppermint: Cools and calms the mind with additional anti-inflammatory, gallbladder and pain relieving benefits.
• Wintergreen: Increases attentiveness with additional neck, nerve, herniated disk and carpal tunnel pain relieving benefits.
• Clove: Improves memory and assists healing with anti-aging, arthritis and rheumatism benefits.
• Lavender: Relaxes and balances the body, with anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Sandalwood: Encourages relaxation with additional antidepressant benefits
• Helichrysum: Offers anti-inflammatory and nerve regenerating benefits.
• Idaho Balsam Fir: Eases sore muscles, joints, tendons and back pain.
• Spruce: Soothes arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, sciatica and bone pain.
• Palo Santo: Helps with inflammation.
• Roman Chamomile: Relieves stress and anxiety and offers anti-inflammatory, relaxant and detoxifying benefits.
• Majoram: Helps with aches, pains and muscular cramps.
• Rosemary: Keeps the mind alert and can help with muscle soreness.
• Thyme: Fights fatigue and can help with rheumatism.
• Vetiver: Helps with joint stiffness and muscle fatigue.

• Bergamot: Known to build confidence, enhance your mood, alleviate stress and anxiety. It’s also used to prevent the growth of bacteria, relieve muscle pain and boost the health of your skin.
• Cinnamon: used  to calm dry skin and to effectively alleviate aches, pains, and stiffness experienced in the muscles and joints and in the digestive system. Its antibacterial properties make it ideal for use in addressing acne, rashes, and infections.
• Geranium: used to treat acne, reduce inflammation, alleviate anxiety and balance hormones. This sweet-smelling oil can also uplift your mood, lessen fatigue and promote emotional wellness.
• Ginger: used to treat nausea, upset stomach, menstrual disorders, inflammation and respiratory conditions.
• Lemongrass: a natural antiseptic and astringent.
• Frankincense: Helps Reduce Stress Reactions and Negative Emotions. Helps Boost Immune System Function and Prevents Illness. May Help Fight Cancer or Deal with Chemotherapy Side Effects. Astringent and Can Kill Harmful Germs and Bacteria. Heals Skin and Prevents Signs of Aging. Improves Memory.
• Cypress: helps the body remove excess water and salt that can lead to fluid retention. It also stimulates circulation by increasing blood flow.
• Copaiba: reduces pain and inflammation, protect against infections, heal the skin, prevent fungal growth, and boost the respiratory health.
• Ylang ylang: antidepressant, antiseborrheic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, nervine, and sedative substance. It is also used for lowering high blood pressure.
• Lemon: has anti-infection, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant, and antifungal properties
• Grapefruit: helps to support your immune system and help fight free radicals, has antidepressant properties, and may make you feel more alert. 
• Oregano: effective against bacterial and fungal infections, inflammation and pain, among other conditions.
• Eucalyptus: has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, and antiseptic qualities, among other valuable properties.
• Myrrh: has antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, expectorant and antispasmodic

It is important to note that not all essential oils are created equal, and you should always research brands as well as oil types, and because these are plant based oils, it is important to try small amounts first to ensure they do no trigger an adverse or allergic reaction before using them more regularly, but hopefully this information gives you another tool to help you feel your best. 

Gentle hugs, 

​Heather, Fabulous Fibro-Fighter and FSC Founder