Top 5 Essential Oils with Proven Pain Relief
Share
Which essential oils really work for pain? Aromatherapy has been promising pain relief for years—just a few drops of oil and... relief? Not entirely. Although many manufacturers and influencers attribute "magical" properties to oils, the reality is more complex. And science—as always—doesn't buy into simplifications.
In this article, we dispel popular myths and show you which essential oils actually have documented pain-relieving effects and which just "sound good" in the product description.
What does “painkiller” mean in the context of oils?
The analgesic effect may involve various mechanisms:
- acting on opioid receptors (like painkillers),
- modulation of calcium and sodium channels (like anesthetic drugs),
- interaction with TRP receptors (responsible for the sensation of heat, cold, burning),
- anti-inflammatory effects that indirectly reduce pain.
It's not enough that something "smells nice" or "relaxes." What matters is its specific biochemical action .
Top 5 Essential Oils with Proven Pain Relief
1. Linalool - the master of multitasking
Where can you find it? Lavender, rosewood, coriander, basil.
Action:
- modulation of opioid, glutamate, GABA and TRP receptors
- acts centrally and peripherally , reducing pain and tension
Research: Peana et al., 2003–2006; Batista et al., 2011
2. Menthol - a mint classic
Where can you find it? Peppermint oil (Mentha × piperita)
Action:
- has a local anesthetic effect , activates the TRPM8 cold receptor
- affects opioid receptors and calcium channels
Research: Galeotti et al., 2002; Buday et al., 2012
3. Geraniol - elegance in the fight against pain
Where can you find it? Rose, palmarosa, geranium
Action:
- inhibits nerve conduction , has anti-inflammatory properties
- may affect the HMG-CoA enzyme, which lowers lipid levels and supports microcirculation
Research: La Rocca et al., 2016; Jayachandran et al., 2015
4. Citronellol - gentle but effective
Where can you find it? Geranium, rose, citronella
Action:
- activates opioid receptors, reduces inflammatory pain
- acts on the TNF-α and NO pathways
Research: Brito et al., 2012–2015
5. Borneol - a tradition of Chinese medicine
Where can you find it? Camphor, rosemary, Chinese sage.
Action:
- strong GABA-A modulator, inhibits TRPA1 channels
- affects nerve conduction and has a neuroprotective effect
Research: Jiang et al., 2015; Takaishi et al., 2014
Oils that do not have analgesic properties (even though they are sometimes advertised as such)
| Oil | Dominant component | Why doesn't it relieve pain? |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet orange | limonene | No analgesic activity |
| Lemon | limonene | No receptor effect on pain |
| Eucalyptus globulus | 1,8-cineole | Mucolytic, not analgesic |
| Sage | thujone, camphor | Potentially neurotoxic, no confirmed analgesic effect |
| Ylang-Ylang | benzoic ester | Relaxing scent, no analgesic effect |
Application?
Not every pain relieving oil is a good choice for every pain.
It is best to choose oils based on:
- specific active ingredients (e.g. linalool),
- type of pain (e.g. inflammation vs. spasm vs. neuropathy),
- available research.
Ready-made painkiller mixtures
Headache or neck tension?
Linalool (lavender) + menthol (mint) + a small amount of geraniol
Period pain?
Geranium (citronellol, geraniol) + nutmeg sage (be careful with dosage) + warm compress
Muscle pain after training?
Menthol + citronellol + a few drops of borneol in a carrier oil
Source: https://tisserandinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FGT_FINAL.pdf