Bone Pain: Role of Peppermint, Gaultheria & Flax seed oil

The hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine are typically where bone pain or discomfort is felt. Pain can come and go or be ongoing. Sometimes bone joints can feel painful, achy, or stiff. Some people describe a burning, throbbing, or "grating" sensation. Additionally, the bones might feel stiff in the morning, but they become looser and more comfortable with activity and movement. But too much exercise might make the pain worse.

Bone discomfort can make it difficult to perform simple tasks and affect how well joints work. High levels of pain can reduce the quality of life. Treatment should target the impacted activities and functions in addition to the pain1,2.

Causes of Bone Pain3

Numerous diseases and situations can result in bone pain. Trauma is a frequent reason why bones hurt. Injury causes include excessive joint use or strain and impacts resulting in fractures, sprains, or strains. Osteoporosis is a condition of the bones that reduces bone density and makes bones less dense. This condition typically affects older people. Fractures, which can happen anywhere on the body but are most common in the hip, spine, and wrist due to bone weakness, can be excruciatingly painful.

Bone discomfort can result from some infections. The term osteomyelitis refers to a bone infection. When an infection from another part of the body makes its way to the bone, it manifests. It can also start inside the bone itself, usually as a result of an accident.

Anyone can get osteomyelitis, though children are more likely to get it than adults. Sickle cell disease patients are also more vulnerable. Cancer that has metastasized to the bones from other parts of the body can cause bone discomfort.

It can also be a sign of bone cancer, commonly called osteosarcoma. This malignancy mainly affects the long bones of the arms and legs. This discomfort is often worse at night and sometimes improves with exercise.

Essential Oils for Bone Pain Management

Peppermint oil: According to a study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies4, peppermint oil may reduce pain associated with joint and muscle pain syndrome due to its analgesic properties. The menthol in peppermint has a cooling effect on sore muscles, thus making it the preferred choice even for the pharmaceutical company. Mix 2 tablespoons of warm coconut oil with 8–10 drops of peppermint oil and apply frequently to the troubled areas for optimal results5.

Gaultheria oil: Also known as Wintergreen oil6. Gaultheria Oil has powerful calming effects because of a chemical compound called methyl salicylate. Wintergreen Oil has been proven to be effective in treating muscular aches, bruises, and sores, and lowering joint pains, swelling, and cramping thanks to its analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties.

Additionally, wintergreen oil enhances blood circulation7. Wintergreen Oil is frequently used in pain relief products because of its therapeutic qualities. To have a warming effect on the skin, massage two to three drops into it after diluting it with five tablespoons of carrier oil, like coconut oil8.

Flaxseed oil: Linum usitatissimum L, is the scientific name for flaxseed. The fiber from the plant is one of the oldest fibers still in use. Flaxseeds are ground and pressed to release their natural oil, which is then used to make flaxseed oil, also referred to as flax oil9. Roughly 3000 B.C. ago, flaxseed was used nutritionally and medicinally by the ancient Egyptians10. Omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, lignans, and fiber are all abundant in flaxseeds. Flaxseed oil is useful for treating joint pain because it contains analgesic ingredients.

In fact, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), one of the three omega-3 fatty acids, makes up 57 percent of the lipids in flaxseed oil. When consumed, ALA is transformed into the more powerful omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (EPA). The effects of pro-inflammatory substances were significantly reduced by ALAs. It has been established that using flaxseed oil to treat joint pain will significantly lessen inflammatory signs and symptoms like pain, swelling, and redness 9,10.

Reference:

  • Shaw, G. What to Know About Bone Pain. WebMD Learn more.
  • Bone pain: Causes, cancer symptoms, and treatment. Learn more (2018).
  • Bone Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments. Healthline Learn more (2019).
  • Mohammadifar, M. et al. Anti-osteoarthritis potential of peppermint and rosemary essential oils in a nanoemulsion form: behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological evidence. BMC Complement Med Ther 21, 57 (2021).
  • Peppermint oil | relief from pain | Allergies | TheHealthSite.com | TheHealthSite.com. TheHealthSite Learn more (2019).
  • Wintergreen: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions. RxList Learn more
  • Rannkly. Gaultheria Oil. OotyMade.com Learn more (2020).
  • Gaultheria Oil for Joint Pain - How to Use & DIY Recipes at Home. VedaOils Learn more.
  • Flaxseed oil. Versus Arthritis Learn more.
  • Goyal, A., Sharma, V., Upadhyay, N., Gill, S. & Sihag, M. Flax and flaxseed oil: an ancient medicine & modern functional food. J Food Sci Technol 51, 1633–1653 (2014).
  • How does Flaxseed Oil Help in Joint Pain | Marham. Learn more (2022).