Got edema? Use essential oils – they will surely help! With their anti-diuretic and stimulant properties, essential oils reduce edema by draining out excess fluid retention and stimulating their flow to sites of elimination. Discover 7 essential oils for edema and 3 recipes to use for relief.
What is Edema?
Edema comes from the Greek word oídēma, which means swelling. Scientifically, edema is a term used to refer to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the region just under the skin and in the cavities of the body. The excess fluid retention causes the part it affects to appear swollen and larger than it really is. Edema can cause severe pain and other symptoms such as stiff or sore joints and weight fluctuations due to edema occurring at night time when lying down.
Some of the causes of edema are:
- Standing or sitting for long periods which lead to accumulation of fluids in the lower part of the legs such as feet and ankles
- Hot weather (it doesn’t sound right since this is the time the body sweats a lot but hot weather leads to fluid retention because at this time, the body tries to save some of the body’s water since most of it is sweated out.
- Pregnancy
- Post Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) and during menstruation
- Certain medications like those that have strong anti-diuretic properties
- Weak blood vessels such as in the case of varicose veins
- High intake of salt
- And more
How Do Essential Oils Help Edema?
Essential oils which are highly concentrated liquid plant extracts, help edema by acting as powerful diuretic substances. Diuretics alleviate edema by helping reduce fluid retention and draining excess fluids out of the body by pushing them to the sites of elimination, that is, the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes then help remove the excess fluids, toxins and wastes. Essential oils are also stimulating so they help in the quick flow of lymph and lymphatic drainage which helps eliminate excess fluids.
Top 7 Essential Oils for Edema
1. Grapefruit (where to get it)
2. Fennel (where to get it)
3. Cypress (where to get it)
4. Geranium (where to get it)
5. Juniper Berry (where to get it)
6. Lemon (where to get it)
7. Rosemary (where to get it)
Essential Oil Recipes for Edema
1. Blend Recipe to Help Drain Excess Fluid
What you need
- 10 drops juniper berry (where to get it)
- 10 drops grapefruit (where to get it)
- 10 drops rosemary (where to get it)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (where to get it)
- 2 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
Method
- Add all oils to a glass dropper bottle and shake well to combine.
- Place 5 – 7 drops using deep massaging motions towards the heart for about 5 minutes.
- Elevate your legs by propping them up a cushion.
2. Foot Soak for Swollen Ankles & Feet
What you need
- A foot soak (where to get it) tub filled with hot water *as hot as you can handle
- ¼ cup Epsom salts (where to get it)
- 10 drops grapefruit (where to get it)
- 10 drops cypress (where to get it)
Method
- Fill a tub with hot water and while the water is running, throw in ¼ cup of Epsom salts and let it disperse.
- When you’ve collected water halfway through the tube, add the essential oils and carefully immerse your feet.
- Soak for 15 at least minutes to reduce pain and swelling. You can do this every two weeks or whenever the pain gets unbearable.
- This foot soak can also be used safely for pregnant women suffering from edema in form of painful swollen ankles and feet.
- After the soak, keep your legs straightened in front of you or rest them on a stool or cushion.
3. Massage Oil for Edema
What you need
- 10 drops juniper berry (where to get it)
- 10 drops lemon (where to get it)
- 10 drops geranium (where to get it)
- 10 drops cypress (where to get it)
- 4 tbsp olive oil (where to get it)
- 4 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
Method
- Combine all the ingredients in a glass dropper bottle.
- To use, place just 5 – 7 drops of this blend on one palm, rub both palms together and deeply massage your affected areas, going toward the direction of the heart. Use once a week.
Which recipe are you willing to try out first? Personally, the easiest and most effectve essential oil recipe for edema pain relief and swelling is the foot soak!