Fibromyalgia and Essential Oils

Fibromyalgia and Essential Oils

Through the Fog

Are you familiar with essential oils? Perhaps you’ve used them before for other issues. I want to explore how essential oils may be beneficial to those of us with fibromyalgia. FYI: They are not a cure, but they can help to alleviate some symptoms, even if temporarily.

Because we each experience FMS in our own unique ways, I would like to suggest some oils and tell about their potential benefits. If you have some experience with oils you’d like to share, please do in the comments. You may be helping someone benefit from your experience.

Essential oils can be used in your bath and body oils, released into the air in a diffuser, or by inhaling them. If you want to use them to massage the skin, I recommend using a carrier oil to blend with the essential oil. In my opinion, the best is fractionated coconut oil. It’s clear and odorless, it won’t oxidize, and it penetrates the skin beautifully.

If this is something you are interested in, I recommend getting a good book on essential oils. The essential oils that are most useful in treating the symptoms of FMS are:

  • For pain relief: Spike lavender, sweet marjoram, lavender, petitgrain, Roman and German chamomile, clary sage, lemongrass, helichrysum, peppermint, ginger, and black pepper. Spike lavender with peppermint and helichrysum creates an anti-inflammatory synergy.
  • For stress/anxiety relief: Rose otto, frankincense, clary sage, sweet orange, bergamot, grapefruit, ylang ylang, sandalwood, neroli, sweet marjoram, petitgrain, mandarin, lavender, rose geranium, tangerine, and jasmine.
  • Fatigue is what often keeps us confined to our beds, often as a result of poor quality sleep. Even when we get enough sleep it’s likely that we never enter into the fourth stage of REM, which is the restorative sleep. There are a number of essential oils that help provide energy to get the body and mind going, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, basil, and geranium.
  • For a more peaceful sleep: Lavender, neroli, jasmine, marjoram, Roman chamomile. Put some in a diffuser in your bedroom or put a few drops under your pillow.
  • For feelings of harmony and safety: Frankincense, lavender, rose, mandarin, neroli, and helichrysum.
  • For headaches: Lavender, peppermint, marjoram, Roman chamomile. Inhaling or placing a few drops on your temple or neck can be helpful.
  • For increased circulation: Rosemary, ginger, black pepper, peppermint, lemongrass, rose, and geranium.

I love using my diffuser for essential oils, as well as inhaling them. You can keep them in your purse or desk to inhale when you need them. I also like using lavender oil on my pulse points — it’s a natural perfume and very relaxing.

IMPORTANT: Lemon oil should always be used in diluted forms. Because it can cause skin irritation, use a carrier oil. Also, avoid using lemon when you are out in the sun, as it may cause redness and burning of the skin.

A long soak in a hot bath with Epsom salt is an excellent way to help the body detoxify, reduce stress, and minimize pain. Adding essential oils to your bath helps even more.

Here’s a quick recipe: Just use 2 drops lavender essential oil, 2 drops peppermint essential oil, and 1 cup Espom Salt.

I would strongly advise against buying on Amazon or other sites. For good quality oils, the two best companies, in my opinion, are DoTerra and Young Living. Just Google for reps who live near you.

Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia. 

23 comments

  1. Jayne Blasser says:

    Love my doTERRA oils for many things. I love lavender for sleep, calming of mind and body. Learning what works is easy, there is a lot of information at DOTERRA and Pinterest. Use an inert oil to stretch your oil, though!

  2. Linda says:

    I also love my doTERRA oils. My favorites for muscle discomfort are Aroma Touch and Deep Blue. Serenity helps support restful sleep and I use Balance to smooth the emotions that come when I don’t feel very good. I to saw the information presented at convention. Thank you Gayla for sharing.

  3. Jean says:

    Adding to my last post,my husband has had vertigo for years now ,he hadn’t had an actual attack as I did ,until this year when he was taken to hospital.
    We have both attended our chiropractor for other problems and do get some relief from neck and head treatments(no manipulation !)he uses torque release system and
    We both take pure ginger capsules 1000mgs recommended by chiro which help with the nausea and circulation and tummy upsets,NOTE DO NOT TAKE these without advice from your doc as some blood thinning meds are compatible !!!we are not on any meds other than for thyroid .i also found a little roll-on tube of peppermint oil for my handbag very handy for headaches and fatigue while your out.
    I have had Epsom salts and lavender oil in my bath for years before I was diagnosed with vertigo and fibromyalgia it help restful sleep and gets rid of toxins I’m told.i dab lavender oil on my nightie to help relaxing sleep.

  4. Jean says:

    That should have read blood thinning medications and ginger are not usually taken together as ginger tends to thin the blood too,pleases check with your doctor if u are on those kind of meds.!!!!!!!!
    The travel ginger sold is not strong enough u need 1000mgs we take one capsule in morning.
    Fish oil is another worth trying to help circulation .

    • Paul says:

      You are ABSOLUTELY correct. The FDA has been close to shutting doTerra and Young Living down for a couple of years specifically for making false claims such as this. I DO know that Hopkins has done studies using essential oils, and can easily be seen online, however doTerra’s claims that they are the ONE AND ONLY are absolutely false. Dr. Parrish likes money, especially the $100k Hopkins gave her for a “study,” and the huge paycheck she gets from doTerra. It is sad.

    • Tania H says:

      You’re right and you probably won’t find that study either. It’s a mlm ploy to sell oils. I found plant therapy oils to be high quality and safe without the push to sell sell sell!

    • Tania H says:

      You’re right and you probably won’t find that study either. It’s a mlm ploy to sell oils. I found plant therapy oils to be high quality and safe without the push to sell sell sell! These mlm companies give unsafe use advice especially for children. It should be mandatory to take a safe usage class before being allowed to sell!

  5. Em says:

    Essential oils are at times my only link to sanity. This morning it is Casa Bark permeating my home. So very soothing. One of my favorites. Ahhh-going to try to work on my most recent watercolor.

    Blessings and Peace to anyone believing in such. Hard at times to be positive. Takes work, but is far less draining than being angry.

  6. Linda says:

    There will always be skeptics. But once I tried DoTerra Essential Oils, I knew they were what I needed. I used Balance and Lavender when I feel occasional stress and overwhelmed. I apply Deep Blue and Aroma Touch for muscle pain, and love Frankincense and Marjoram for inflammation. I am not on any pharmaceuticals.

  7. Rehne Burge says:

    I appreciate your article. I became a Certified Aromatherapist because of my Fibromyalgia. Going from an active weight lifter and runner to the inability to function was devastating. It was, as you’ve so beautifully outlined, these oils and methods that helped bring my health back. Thank you for your work you put into the article.

    • Linda says:

      I love my DoTerra oils. Do the research for your self when choosing a essential oil company, but never buy at Walmart or Amazon.
      I use the Life Long Vitality vitamins for fatigue and to support cellular regeneration. For creepy crawly legs at night I use Aroma Touch oil. For inflammatory issues I use Deep Blue Pholyphenol capsules, and capsules of Frankencense and Marjoram. Balance oil helps me deal with the daily stresses.

  8. E says:

    I only trust the best oils. I wanted a promise it was pure and for REAL 100% EO. Other co. make promises about what happens after the product reaches their warehouse. Young living, promises seed to seal…good enough for my high standards.

  9. Amanda says:

    I love my Young Living oils and use them daily for my fibro. My favorites are Copiaba and Frankincense for pain, digize for stomach issues and lavender, frankincense and citrus fresh for sleeping. I also use Panaway for acute trigger point flares, especially in my shoulders.

Leave a Comment