 Center photo by Pixabay from Pexels.com The following is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is intended for educational purposes only - to illustrate the science behind essential oils, how they might be applied in the real world, and to offer a foundation from which to speak to your doctor.
Consult your primary healthcare provider before using essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts and SHOULD NOT be handled by anyone unaware of the RISKS and DANGERS they pose. Introduction: Sore, aching muscles is one of the side effects of working out, and is often considered a sign that your muscles are growing and getting stronger. Soreness and aching may also occur as a result of overexertion. While generally benign, muscle pain related to working out, or overexertion, might distract from other activities and responsibilities. This blend of essential oils is intended to help relieve some of the discomfort associated with muscle aches, pains, sores, and sprains. Recommended Essential Oils: Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) - 8 drops Mentha x piperita (peppermint) - 2 drops Recommended Carrier Oil: Cocus nucifera (coconut oil, virgin) - 1 American Tablespoon Blending Instructions: In a small, clean mixing glass, combine essential oils and carrier oil. Gently warming the coconut oil will make incorporation of the essential oils much easier, as unrefined coconut oil remains solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Store in a dark amber glass balm jar or appropriate substitution. This formula would approximately fill a 15 mL balm jar. Application Recommendation: Using the tip of a finger, rub a thin layer of this formula over sore, achy, sprained, or tense muscles. Massage into the muscle for one to two minutes. Unless the skin is broken, you may apply this formula directly to the muscle. If the skin is broken, consult your primary care physician before use. This formula may be applied to the skin up to four times per day. DO NOT USE this formula more than two days in a row. After two days of use, COMPLETELY discontinue using this formula for at least 24 hours before starting again. In other words, for every two days using this formula, take one day off. Consult with your primary care physician if there is no improvement after the first 5 days, and continue this cycle for as long as your physician deems safe. Formulaic Reasoning: Inclusion of Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Higashi, Kiuchi, and Furuta, published in Clinical Therapeutics, a journal published by Elsevier publishing company. At the time of publication, Researcher Higashi was affiliated with Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., a Japanese pharmaceutical company known to produce prescription and over-the-counter external pain relief products. This study examined the pain relieving effects of a medicated patch containing 10% methyl salicylate and 3% l-menthol, on pain caused by muscle strain. Researchers noted "significantly greater pain relief" in those patients receiving the medicated patch compared to patients receiving a placebo patch (Source #1). Commercially, the Icy Hot brand pain relief cream contains two active ingredients, which are listed as menthol (10%) and methyl salicylate (30%) (Source #2). Essential oil of Gaultheria procumbens contains approximately 98% methyl salicylate (Source #3). Essential oil of Mentha x piperita contains approximately 29-48% menthol (Source #4). Inclusion of Cocus nucifera (coconut oil) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Intahphuak, Khonsung, and Panthong, faculty members from nursing and pharmacology schools in Thailand, published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology, a Taylor and Francis publication. In the study, researchers induced pain sensations in rats, and found Cocus nucifera to have anti-inflammatory effects, as well as moderate inhibitory effects on pain responses (Source #5). Source #1: Higashi, Y., Kiuchi, T., & Furuta, K. (2010). Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Clinical therapeutics, 32(1), 34-43. https://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(10)00017-2/pdf Source #2: Original cream: Icy hot® pain relief cream. Icy Hot US. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.icyhot.com/en-us/products/creams-rubs/pain-relief-cream Source #3: Material Safety Data Sheet - Wintergreen. Connecticut College. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.conncoll.edu/media/website-media/offices/ehs/envhealthdocs/Wintergreen.pdf Source #4: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Peppermint-oil#section=Other-Experimental-Properties Source #5: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/13880200903062614 ******** Warnings: ******** All formula proportions would assume use by a physically mature and healthy adult, and are NOT recommended for children. If approved by your physician to use the above blend, you are reminded:
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