Are you ever awakened abruptly by painful muscle cramps at night? That incredibly tight, stiff, “will this ever end?” feeling from pain in your calf or hamstring can be brutal. Not to mention the discomfort of lost sleep. You might even still feel residual soreness – and tiredness – the next day. If you experience this somewhat regularly, here’s a simple hack to relieve those middle-of-the night muscle cramps and Charlie horses:
Apply specific essential oils to and around the area of pain when it hits.
This blog will explain the following:
- How do essential oils relieve muscle cramps?
- What are essential oils?
- How to use essential oils to relieve cramps and which ones to use
- Muscle relief roller blend
- What else can you do to stop muscle cramps?
How Do Essential Oils Relieve Muscle Cramps at Night?
Certain essential oils have anti-spasmodic properties based on their chemical makeup. How they do this varies. For instance, one study on the antispasmodic effects of essential oils found that Marjoram, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Peppermint and a few other essential oils inhibit calcium (Ca2+) channels in cells. Calcium is necessary for muscle contraction, and muscle cramps are like one long, painful muscle contraction. So, if calcium can’t get inside of our cells, the contraction will be hindered.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly potent chemical compounds derived from plants. Depending on the plant, the oil might be found in the bark of a tree, the roots or pedals of a flower, seeds, leaves, etc. Essential oils give plants their smell and can act like their immune system and source of protection. When you purchase a bottle of essential oil you are getting a highly concentrated form of the oil after it has been distilled and bottled. They are completely natural and safe to use without the laundry list of side effects you see on most prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
How to Use Essential Oils to Relieve Muscle Cramps
Applying an essential oil or blend of oils can help stop those pesky cramps and Charlie horses in their tracks. Just dilute them in a carrier oil and rub onto the area of concern. Dilution in a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil or even lotion) will help to protect skin, improve absorption across the skin barrier, and make it easier to spread the oil to cover the area. It will also make your oils last longer.
I suggest creating a roller bottle with your essential oil or oils of choice along with a carrier oil and keeping it at your bedside (see blend idea below). This way, whenever a cramp hits, you can quickly apply it rather than wriggle and wince in pain for so long. If you get cramps frequently, you might also try applying a bit before bed to help relax muscles while you sleep and prevent cramps.
If you don’t have a roller bottle, you can simply mix 1-3 drops of an essential oil of your choice from the list above with about 1 tsp carrier oil in the palm of your hand, then apply.
Essential Oils That Help Relax Muscles
Use any of these oils, or a combination, to help reduce cramps and muscle tension by inhibiting calcium channels:
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Marjoram
- Spearmint
- Basil
- Melissa
- Rosemary
Muscle Relief Roller Bottle Blend
In a 10mL glass roller bottle, add 4 drops each of lemongrass, peppermint, and marjoram. Fill up the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil and top with the roller ball and lid. Shake well, then apply as needed. This is also a great muscle soothing blend for sore, tired, achy muscles. I’ve even made a mini roller with these oils that I’ve taken on runs in case of cramps to help ease them in the moment.
You can also mix any of the above oils that you prefer. Feel free to play around with different oils and amounts to find what works well for you, because everybody reacts differently. Always start with a small amount of oil – about 10-15 drops, then add more if you find it’s not giving you the desired effect. Remember that essential oils are potent, so less is more!
Want to Learn More About Using Essential Oils for Natural Health Hacks?
If you’d like to learn more about essential oils, you can visit the blog posts or my doTERRA Essential Oils website below for more information. You can also contact me at [email protected] for more specific questions about getting and using oils.
- What Are Essential Oils and How do They Work?
- The Essential Oil Experience
- How to Use Essential Oils
- Shop the purest, most potent essential oils
What Else Can You do to Stop Muscle Cramps?
While essential oils are an awesome hack to relax tight muscles, you should always stop to question what is the root cause of those cramps. Here are some possible reasons for your muscle pain you should also address:
- Dehydration – are you drinking enough water daily? Water is essential for staying hydrated and preventing cramps. If you exercised and/or sweated a lot during the day, did you drink even more water to replace those losses?
- Electrolytes – you could have a lack of imbalance of electrolytes, especially if you exercise in heat or lost significant amounts of sweat. If you think you may be dehydrated, try drinking something like Liquid IV, or simply consume foods with natural electrolytes like, banana, sweet potatoes, melons, or coconut water. Sometimes a little extra salt may do the trick as well.
- Stretch & foam roll – cramps may be due to tight muscles. Make sure that before bed and after exercise you use a foam roller to help reduce muscle knots and tightness while increasing the movement of fluids around your muscles to keep them hydrated and flexible. Following the use of a foam roller, stretch those same muscles to further loosen them up. This is especially important if you regularly lift weights, run, or participate in other athletic activities.
If you experience cramps frequently you should consider talking to your doctor to ensure you are not mineral deficient or have a more serious health condition.
