Massage therapy has been around in one form or another for millennia and thankfully the majority of people now see it as more than a luxury. We can survive with stiffness, we will tolerate sluggish circulation, we are accustomed to high levels of stress but THE most frequent troubling symptom to motivate you to get a massage is pain. There can be many causes of muscle pain and thankfully just as many ways to reduce it. Aromatherapy oils have long been used in bath blends, compresses and added to massage oils for musculo-skeletal pain and two very popular and inexpensive oils you will find compulsory additives to your collection are Rosemary and Marjoram.
ROSEMARY
Who could forget the strong piercing camphoracous aroma of Rosemary? This oil comes from the popular herb Rosmarinus officinalis which has been found in gardens for centuries. Even rolling a single leaf in the fingers will release a burst of fragrance that sharpens the senses instantly. The mauve flowering tops and spindly leaves are steam distilled to make this fatigue combating oil which has been used to remember the dead since the times of the Egyptians. To this day a sprig of Rosemary is worn by Australians on Anzac Day to remember those who fought for our freedom. Our forefathers of medicine Galen, Hippocrates, Dioscorides and Theophrastus all recommended Rosemary for Liver and Gall Bladder problems. Today Rosemary is still useful for Gall bladder stones and infections not to mention “the day after the night before”. Apart from bacon and eggs for breakfast and a B complex vitamin tablet and loads of water, have some Rosemary, Fennel and Grapefruit on hand to support the Liver back into action. A long languid bath might do the trick!
From painful overworked muscles to arthritis and RSI, Rosemary acts as an analgesic as it draws a fresh blood supply to affected areas. There can be several reasons for muscle pain so look for some other contributing factors besides the obvious ones. Read on for some clues.
Rosemary gently strengthens the Cardiovascular system to increase circulation to the extremities relieving tired legs and cold feet. Rosemary, Ginger and Peppermint added to your body lotion will calm restless legs and walk you through your day with ease. Or if bone spurs on your feet are the problem Rosemary, Juniper and Lemon blended together first and then 2 drops applied neat or 6 drops in a foot bath should bring some relief. Roll the sole of your foot firmly over a small plastic bottle in which water has been frozen to stretch out ligaments and tendons and reduce inflammation. Long Calf stretches are also helpful.
Being a nervous system tonic, rosemary is a stimulating oil welcomed by all students. Blend in a burner or sprinkle over a tissue a drop each of rosemary, basil, lemon or rosemary peppermint and petitgrain. Don’t overdose on these late at night or you may have difficulty sleeping. Either of these blends would be enlivening for the elderly suffering with dementia. More appropriate in the morning than in the afternoon when these special ones seem to get a second wind.
Apart from also being useful for all respiratory and infectious conditions, Rosemary is also renowned for its use in increasing circulation to the scalp to stimulate hair growth and reduce dandruff. Simply add to your conditioner or make a rinse with either 100ml beer or cider vinegar and 3 drops each of Rosemary and Lavender or Chamomile.
To make an inexpensive gift mix dried rosemary and lavender with Epsom salts and Essential Oils of your choice. Pour into a decorative bottle with a sealable lid. Bath bags with a pull tie may be used over and over again. You may also use fresh herbs and flowers from the garden for extra effect.
Rosemary is a little strong for babies and young children and not usually recommended in pregnancy. The usual recommendation is that it should be avoided for folk who have seizure disorders. Though especially useful for low blood pressure, people suffering with hypertension should avoid Rosemary or use with care.
MARJORAM
I remember the first time smelling Marjoram and distinctly not liking it. As life has shown its many facetted sides, I have come to appreciate the strength, comfort and groundedness that the oil from this herb bestows. Origanum marjorana grows to about 60cm tall and is a perennial plant. Its fragrance is not unlike eucalyptus having the same camphoraceous aroma but with a warm subtlety. It is grown mostly in France, Egypt and Tunisia and is distilled from the dried flowering plant material.
Though its history is not as renowned as Rosemary, Culpeper recommended it for cold conditions affecting the head, stomach and muscles. Its many properties include being analgesic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, expectorant, vasodilator and laxative. This small excerpt of its properties compares with some of those of the mineral Magnesium. Their similar uses are for muscle spasm, constipation caused by spasm of the smooth muscles of the colon, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, menstrual cramping, high blood pressure and headaches. If essential oils are not making a significant change to symptoms, it may be worthwhile increasing your magnesium containing foods – fresh green vegetables, apples, spinach, wholemeal flour, alfalfa and nuts.
Constipation will respond well to a bath to which is added 3 drops of marjoram, 4 drops of orange and two drops of fennel added to a tablespoon of whole cream milk. For Menstrual cramping Marjoram, Clary Sage and Roman Chamomile should be substituted.
A blend that I have found to cover several symptoms at once contains 50 mls of sweet almond oil, Marjoram (5 drops), Vetiver (3), Orange (5), Roman Chamomile (2), Lavender (5) and Bergamot (7). Symptoms that respond to this mix include grief, anxiety, heart palpitations, stress, insomnia, muscle tension, high blood pressure and asthma. Having a “one-mix-fix” such as this is invaluable in the busy lives of most families.
Marjoram is not especially useful for skin care but chillblains will respond to warm footbaths with marjoram and rosemary and bruising will disburse when marjoram, geranium and fennel essential oils added to arnica infused oil are applied. It is not recommended that Pregnant women use this oil. However, there are no other safety precautions regarding its use.
Don’t let pain muscle in on your lifestyle, let Rosemary and Marjoram work their aromatic magic and ease you back into life.
SOME CAUSES OF MUSCLE PAIN
| Cause | What can Help | Oils to use |
| Muscle Spasm | Stretching and strengthening exercises, massage, changes in posture, Chiropractic, Alexander technique, Feldenkrais) baths, compresses. | Lavender, Black Pepper, Ginger, Marjoram, Rosemary, Peppermint, Chamomile, Arnica infused oil |
| Toxic residues (constipation, allergies) | Increase fibre foods, elimination diet (dairy, wheat and yeast biggest offenders), massage tummy | Juniper, Fennel, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary. |
| Arthritis | Gentle exercise, hot packs on chronic pain and cold packs when inflamed. Naturopathic advice will help determine diet, nutritional and herbal requirements. | Pain: German Chamomile, lavender, marjoram, rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger
Detoxify: Juniper, Lemon, Grapefruit, fennel Inflammation: Blue Chamomile, Everlasting, Yarrow, Lavender |
| Stress | Oil Burner, baths, regular massage, relaxation and deep breathing techniques,
Yoga, Face Spritzers. |
Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Marjoram, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang. (Many others) |
| Lymphatic Congestion | Exercise, Skin brushing, baths with Epsoms Salts | Cypress, Geranium, Lemon Grapefruit, Rosemary |