6 essential oils to relieve joints

Painful knee, arthritic fingers, insistent torticollis ... Joint pain is a real handicap in everyday life. Among the natural solutions, essential oils are essential.

ROSEMARY (ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS)

Typical of the Mediterranean maquis, rosemary was used by Arab doctors to treat many diseases. The plant gives three different essential oils according to its region of origin: rosemary to camphor HE (prohibited for internal use), rosemary to cineole and rosemary to verbenone. They are not recommended for epileptics, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for people with hypertension.

SMALL BITTER ORANGE (CITRUS AURANTIUM)

Originally from Asia, introduced on the Mediterranean rim after the return of the crusades, the bitter orange tree has antispasmodic (abdominal, thoracic) and anti-infectious properties. Powerful rebalancing nervous, relaxing, it is a soothing and relaxing concentrate by simple inhalation or massage. It is also an analgesic. Two kilograms of leaves are necessary to obtain about 10 ml of this essential oil of small grain bigarade.

WINTERGREEN (GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS)

Known to Native Americans who used it against pains and fevers, this plant has leaves that, if broken, give off a smell of aspirin. This is due to the esters (salicylic acid for wintergreen), from which aspirin is derived. In case of allergy to salicylates (aspirin ...), avoid applying pure, because it can irritate sensitive skin. Internal use is on the advice of an aromatherapist or pharmacist.

LEMON EUCALYPTUS (EUCALYPTUS CITRIODORA)

Native to northeastern Australia, the plant has become acclimatized in a large number of countries and belongs to the family of monoterpenes. Effective against itchy skin, it is antifungal, antispasmodic and insect repellent (it repels mosquitoes like lemongrass HE). If it is also relaxing, sedative and hypotensive, it is, above all, an anti-inflammatory. She knows no contraindications. It is used internally and externally.

GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE)

This plant from the East from the 9th century was present in the kitchen of the Middle Ages. Ancient remedy present in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines, ginger belongs to the family of sesquiterpenes (anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, decongestant). Digestive tonic, its rhizome HE is indicated for dyspepsia, bloating, etc. Remarkable anti-inflammatory, ginger is an effective analgesic against joint and muscle pain, dental pain, neuralgia.

PEPPERMINT (MENTHA X PIPERITA)

Leaves of this plant native to the Middle East were found in the Egyptian pyramids (1st millennium BC). She arrived in Europe in the eighteenth century and is today cultivated worldwide. Stimulating and powerful, the HE obtained from its flower heads is a real emergency medicine! It is found in pharmaceutical preparations, and also in the food industry. Attention, do not apply it pure on the skin: dilute it in a vegetable oil.