Muscle pain in athletes, particularly aches and cramps, manifests itself as pain and stiffness in the muscles that have been used and is linked to micro-lesions or micro-tears of the muscle fibers. If, despite this, pain appears, it is advisable to use heat, massage with a suitable mixture of essential oils then practice a gentle sport (walking, cycling).
This article was updated on 06/12/2023The quick reflex: Odorous Wintergreen
From 6 years old and for adults. Dermal, gently massage with 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil on the affected area, 4 times a day, until improvement.
Complete synergy for adults
The mixture
To relieve your sore muscles, take your empty bottle, and add:
- 10 drops of essential oil Laurel Noble
- 10 drops of essential oil Lavandin Super
- 10 drops of essential oil Fragrant Wintergreen
- 100 drops of oily macerateArnica
Cap (click!), homogenize then label your bottle. Your synergy is ready!
How to use
As soon as pain appears, massage locally with 4 to 6 drops of the mixture. Repeat as needed.
In case of sensitive skin or prolonged use (no more than 3 weeks), increase the quantity of Arnica oily macerate.
Authorized users
YES. Adults, children over 6 years old.
NO. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old.
Special precautions
- Seek medical advice for asthmatics and epileptics.
- An essential oil should not be used by people under anticoagulant treatment, or allergic to salicylates (aspirin), people with eczema, asthma, an ulcer, a hernia, a hemorrhage, or having to undergo a surgical intervention.
- It is also recommended to carry out the allergy test with the mixture in the crook of the elbow before use.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Why these essential oils?
Noble Laurel helps relax muscles
L'noble Laurel essential oil acts on the nervous system; it regulates the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. Here it will activate the parasympathetic system and therefore put the body to rest. This will lead the body to implement the repair processes of damaged tissues more quickly.
The antispasmodic properties of alpha terpineol and terpenyl acetate (alcohol and monoterpene ester respectively) will inhibit pain and stiffness in striated muscles by muscle relaxation via the disruption of ionic exchanges at the synapses (junction between two neurons), which will limit the transmission of messages causing muscle contractions.
The analgesic effect of Wintergreen
After sporting events, you may be subject to aches and cramps. L'wintergreen essential oil is composed of between 95 and 99% methyl salicylate, a terpene ester which relaxes muscles through two mechanisms.
First of all, it is antispasmodic. It has an action similar to that of linalool present in Lavandin Super; it disrupts exchanges at the level of ion channels (membrane proteins allowing the passage and exchange of ions) between nerve fibers and therefore inhibits the passage of nerve impulses; spasms, such as cramps, are therefore suppressed. Secondly, it has a rubefacient action, that is to say it dilates the blood vessels which causes excess blood circulation; the muscles are thus more irrigated and warm up, this heat relaxes them and therefore prevents their contraction.
On the other hand, methyl salicylate has significant analgesic properties that are particularly effective when applied to the skin against muscle pain (aches, cramps).
Lavandin Super has an anti-spasmodic effect
After a sporting effort, the muscles and joints must rest. L'lavandin Super essential oil will be of significant help thanks to its calming, anxiolytic and sedative properties. Monoterpene alcohols (linalool, terpinen-4-ol) as well as linalyl acetate, present in this essential oil, are active on the nervous system and thus reduce excitability and stress, both factors of muscle tension.
These molecules, as well as camphor, are also musculotropic spasmolytics (promote muscle relaxation) and have the effect of relieving all kinds of muscle contractions. Indeed, linalool, a monoterpene alcohol in this essential oil, competes with acetylcholine (neurotransmitter), thus limiting the ionic exchanges necessary for the passage of nerve impulses, which inhibits involuntary muscle contraction.
Finally, linalool and camphor are analgesic and will completely soothe post-sporting pain.
Why these vegetable oils?
Arnica oily macerate, the anti-aches par excellence
The reference vegetable oil in case of sports pain, it is of course the arnica oily macerate. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, induced by the lactones which compose it, this oily macerate will reinforce the action of Odorant Wintergreen for a rapid and effective result. There are no more cramps and other aches, thanks to the analgesic action of Arnica, which complements that of Noble Laurel essential oil by providing additional active molecules.
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Bibliography
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.