Neuropathy: What Exactly Is It?
Neuropathy is a painful illness that occurs when our peripheral nervous system is damaged. The peripheral nervous system connects nerves from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. It helps send messages about physical sensations to the brain. And when it is damaged or destroyed for some reason, the nerves aren’t able to send these messages and the resulting disorder is what is called neuropathy. As a result of neuropathy, you may not feel physical sensations or pain when you hurt yourself, and on the other hand, you may feel acute pain without even suffering an injury.
Symptoms Of Neuropathy
Living with neuropathy means living with a lot of pain. The symptoms of neuropathy limit a person’s activities and prevent them from living a normal life. The symptoms of neuropathy include tingling and numbness in arms and legs, stabbing pain or burning sensation, dropping of objects from the hands owing to decreased motor function, falling down due to a lack of coordination, extreme sensitivity to touch and muscle weakness. Extreme neuropathy can also leave an impact on internal organs and cause symptoms such as digestive and bladder problems, heat intolerance and change in blood pressure causing dizziness.
How Do Essential Oils Help?
People suffering from neuropathy find themselves unable to live a fulfilling life. They find themselves unable to participate in many activities as they are scared of falling or injuring themselves owing to the lack of coordination.
There are many natural treatments like the use of essential oils, that can help manage and control the symptoms of this illness, thereby considerably increasing the quality of life of those suffering from it. Essential oils can help manage many symptoms of neuropathy such as pain, sleep disorders, stress, anxiety and depression. Even research has confirmed that there are many essential oils that are effective in reducing pains associated with neuropathy and nerve damage.
5 Most Effective Essential Oils For Neuropathy
1. Peppermint
Peppermint has amazing antibacterial, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties and happens to be one of the most used and recommended essential oils when treating neuropathy. It’s a very effective pain reliever and is known to be able to control and relax muscle spasms that occur in cases of neuropathy. Its antispasmodic properties help in calming irritated bowels and intestines. Also, the menthol in peppermint offers cooling and aroma-therapeutic benefits as well.
2. Lavender
Lavender has many valuable properties. It has effective anti-anxiety and sedative effects which make it a good choice to help alleviate pain and in ensuring a good night’s rest. Apart from this, it also has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties that make it best suited to help with neuropathy caused due to infections and autoimmune disorders. It is also an anti-convulsant and helps relieve spasms and pain arising from nerve damage.
3. Tea Tree
Tea tree oil has great anti-fungal, anti-septic and anti-microbial properties and works wonders in treating different forms of neuropathy. It doesn’t just help alleviate itching, burning and numbness but also helps injuries heal faster.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile is a widely used essential oil to help relieve the symptoms of neuropathy. It has great anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, analgesic, antiseptic and sedative properties and helps provide relief from all kinds of discomforts arising from neuropathy.
5. Geranium
Although it doesn’t get the credit it deserves for its numerous healing properties, geranium plays a vital role in treating the symptoms of neuropathy. It helps in the production and growth of new tissue which is essential to treat neuropathy caused by injury or accidents. Geranium also increases blood circulation, which is essential to restore the function of damaged nerves.
How To Use Essential Oils For Neuropathy
There are different ways that essential oils can be used to help relieve symptoms of neuropathy.
Massage
This involves mixing 10-12 drops of the essential oil with an ounce of carrier oil like coconut oil. The reason coconut
oil is best suited as a carrier oil is because its light and clear and doesn’t oxidize. Massage the mixture of the oils onto the affected area using gentle strokes.
Bath
This method involves mixing 4-8 drops of the essential oil with a teaspoon of the carrier oil. Draw a warm bath and add Epsom salt to the water to help relieve aching muscles. Immerse yourself for 15 minutes and massage the mixture of oils onto the affected areas.
Compress
Fill a container with warm water and add 3-5 drops of the essential oil to it. Soak a washcloth, wring it, and apply the washcloth to the affected area.
