An Essential Oils Inhaler for Joint and Muscle Pain Relief
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the arrival of the Summer Solstice has indicated it’s time for more outside activities! Gardening, hiking, camping, barbecues, bonfires, and more… More muscle pain, more joint pain, more back pain! There’s a joy that comes with outdoor activities, let’s not let that joy be overshadowed by the inevitable aching of overwork. Instead, let’s use essential oils to relax and provide pain relief.
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In this Post:
Essential Oils for Pain Relief
Many essential oils are known for their uplifting supportive aroma—Lavender and Bergamot, for example. Others are known for their breath-opening ability, like Eucalyptus and Black Spruce. Today we’re looking at five essential oils that, when combined, produce a blend that targets overworked muscles and joint pain to help you get back into Summer activities!
While scholarly studies are few on the impact of inhaled essential oils on pain relief, aromatherapists know, through personal use, that specific essential oils are highly effective for managing muscle and joint pain. I’ve personally used this inhaler blend for the past couple of years, have made one for my hubby, and recommended it to friends. Everyone who’s used it has experience pain relief.
I also like to combine it with a bedtime massage of knees, back, and shoulders with my So Long Muscle & Joint Pain massage oil.
⭐️Overwork Pain Relief Inhaler
- 5 drops Rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora)
- 4 drops Frankincense Carteri essential oil (Boswellia carteri)
- 4 drops Black Pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum)
- 2 drops Sweet Basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum)
- 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus x sinensis)
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
Combine the essential oils in a small bowl. Add the inhaler wick. Use tweezers to transfer the saturated wick to the inhaler barrel, then seal.
Use immediately after strenuous activity that works muscles and joints. Continue to use as needed to ease muscle pain and aching joints. Depending on frequency of use, your Overwork Pain Relief Inhaler will last 2-3 weeks.
When using a reusable inhaler, like these shown here, simply refresh the wick as needed through the summer. I recommend replacing the wick after 3 refreshes.
Reusable inhalers are available from Aromatics International, Plant Therapy, and Amazon.
Why These Essential Oils for Joint & Muscle Pain?
Rosewood: While Rosewood does provide gentle pain relief, this blend harnesses the essential oil’s calming, breath-opening energy. Deeper breathing sends much needed oxygen to the tissues and promotes circulation to reduce inflammation. It’s an incredibly soothing essential oil that acts as a tonic to promote a sense of well-being.
Frankincense carteri: Steam distilled from the resin that forms over a wound in the bark of the Boswellia tree, the essential oil has this same healing energy. Frankincense modulates inflammation making it effective for muscle pain relief. It helps relax tendons and sinew to help with joint pain and stiffness. It also helps revitalize spent mental energy.
Sustainability Note: Rosewood essential oil is steam distilled from the wood of an endangered South American rainforest tree. And the Boswellia trees—the source of Frankincense resin—are threatened by over-harvesting. Choose a supplier that ensures harvesting is done sustainably, with the life of the tree and the species in mind.
Black Pepper: While I love this warming, stimulating essential oi for targeted pain relief in a topical blend, my favorite use is for overall body and muscle pain, especially due to overwork or illness. Black Pepper has a dry, spicy aroma with a subtle sweet woodiness that refreshes physical and mental energy.
Sweet Basil: One of my favorite essential oils, I often refer to Sweet Basil as a warm hug. It has a warm, somewhat clove-like aroma, but a gentle calming energy like Lavender. Sweet Basil helps relieve muscle spasms and body tension, promoting overall relaxation.
Sweet Orange: This beautiful, sweet, “joyful” essential oil circulates stagnant energy and soothes tension. This helps ease and relax tense muscles. Sweet Orange also has an uplifting yet calming energy, that encourages mind and body relaxation.
Sweet Orange and Frankincense come together with Douglas Fir in my Energy Replenish diffuser blend.
Rest for Joint & Muscle Pain Relief
To avoid injury, your muscles need time to repair and rebuild after exertion. Rest helps reduce inflammation, repair tissues, and improve blood flow.
So, take some time at the end of the day to appreciate the work you’ve done in your garden, look at the pictures you took on your hike, watch the sun set, play with your dog, laugh with loved ones, play a board game. Enjoy a meal and a glass of lemonade or an Herbal Cold Brew.
Our bodies do much of their repair during sleep, so if you find your sleep is disrupted due to muscle and joint pain, try a sleep supporting blend like my Sleep Assist Roll-On or a soothing, pre-bedtime Foot Massage.
Remember, rest doesn’t mean inactivity! Stretching, mindful movement, walking, and other low-impact activities enhance blood flow to aid in recovery. Listen to your body’s cues. Pain that doesn’t resolve overnight with sleep and aromatherapy could indicated you need a day of recuperation—perhaps some time caring for your Personal Sanctuary!
⭐️BONUS Overwork Pain Relief Massage Oil
If you want, you can also make an Overwork Pain Relief massage oil to go along with your inhaler. All of these essential oils, when used topically, help reduce inflammation, ease muscle aches, and provide soothing pain relief. This blend has a 3% essential oil content and can be used daily, as needed, to ease discomfort.
- Overwork Pain Relief blend
- 1 ounce Hemp Seed oil, Jojoba, or favorite carrier oil
Simply add the essential oils and chosen carrier right to the storage bottle, cap, and rock to combine. I recommend a PET plastic disc top bottle or glass bottle with treatment pump. These make application easy and reduce chance of spillage. The massage oil can be combined with cool compress to further help reduce aching muscles and joint pain (try adding Lavender Hydrosol to the compress).
Here’s to Summer Fun and pain relief from overwork…or over-play!
Mom’s Pain Relief Inhaler Shopping List
Here are my trusted, recommended suppliers for the essential oils I use in the Overwork Pain Relief blend and other items mentioned in this post.
- Rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora):
- This is a precious essential oil, choose your supplier wisely.
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Frankincense Carteri essential oil (Boswellia carteri):
- This is a precious species, threatened by over-harvesting, choose your supplier wisely
- Aromatics International, organic💛
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct or Amazon).
- Black Pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum):
- Aromatics International, organic💛
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Sweet Basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum):
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus x sinensis):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Aromatherapy Inhalers:
- Containers:
- Lavender Hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia):
- Aromatics International, organic, artisan
- Plant Therapy, conventional (Direct and Amazon).
Ready for an Aromatherapy Adventure?
Do you want to participate in a discussion of or learn more about essential oils, aromatherapy, and natural wellness? Come check out the Aromatherapy & Wellness Journey and join the adventure!
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
