Unfortunately, at some time in their lives many people are plagued by acute, recurring or chronic nerve pain. Fortunately, essential oils can be very effective in helping to relieve both the physical and emotional issues of nerve pain. A bonus is they are enjoyable to use and create no unwelcome side effects.

There are two types of specific nerve pain: neuralgia (pain along a nerve pathway without damage to the nerve, such as pinched nerve and sciatica) and neuropathy (damage to peripheral nerves, other than spinal nerves or those in the brain; may start as tingling in hands and feet and slowly spreads). Both types of nerve pain can be effectively reduced through using analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, detoxifying and/or stimulating essential oils. There are many to choose from, too. Topical application of diluted essential oils in gentle massage, compress or bath is the suggested method. For headache and pain due to tension, relief can also come through inhaling diffused blends.

Essential oils for Neuralgia:

1. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): anti-inflammatory; antirheumatic, antispasmodic
2. Peppermint (Mentha piperita): antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
3. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens): adaptogenic, stimulating, astringent, sedative
4. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. cineole): analgesic, antidepressant, digestive, nervine
5. Sandalwood (Santalum album): anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, sedative
6. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic
7. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): analgesic, antispasmodic
8. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): analgesic, anti-depressant, adaptogenic, sedative
9. Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum): antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, nervine
10. Marjoram (Origanum marjorana): anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic
11. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum): analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, balancing
12. Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): antispasmodic, sedative, nervine
13. Lemongrass (Cymbogogon flexuosus): analgesic, antidepressant, sedative, anti-inflammatory

Blends for Neuralgia:

Blend #1

• 6 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Geranium
• 2 drops Rosemary
• 2 drops Clary Sage
• 1 oz Carrier Oil (i.e. Jojoba)

(This blend relieves the tension and anxiety that often accompany pain.)

Blend #2

• 6 drops Marjoram
• 4 drops Lemongrass
• 2 drops Sandalwood
• 1 oz Carrier Oil (i.e. Jojoba)

(This blend is especially helpful for sleeplessness due to pain)

Essential oils for Neuropathy include those listed above and:

1. Juniper berry (Juniperus communis): anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent
2. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): anti-spasmodic, vasoconstrictor, sedative
3. Tangerine (Citrus reticulata): antispasmodic, sedative, calming
4. Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin): astringent, sedative, tonic
5. Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annum): anti-inflammatory, analgesic
6. Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata): nervine, sedative

A blend for Neuropathy:

• 6 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops Ylang Ylang
• 2 drops Helichrysum
• 1 oz Carrier Oil (i.e. Jojoba)

A blend for headache:

• 4 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Peppermint
• 2 drops Ylang Ylang
• 2 drops Chamomile
• 1 oz Carrier Oil (i.e. Jojoba)

If the pain level requires more sedation, slowly increase the level of essences to double the amount of drops.  

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a relative new-comer to use in Western Aromatherapy. A native plant of South Asia, Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an herb, in cooking and as medicine. The yellow powder is an ingredient in many curries. The essential oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and warming properties which make it helpful in blends for nerve and musculoskeletal pain.

Note: with Turmeric and high levels of R. Chamomile, and essences that have blue coloration (German Chamomile, Yarrow, Blue Tansy) some staining of fabric may occur.