Edema is a term used for swelling. When certain parts of the body start to swell due to inflammation or injury, it can spread in small areas or through the entire body. This condition happens when tiny blood vessels start to leak and release fluids into the tissues.
This causes some excess fluid to stack and makes the tissue swell. Moreover, when it comes to the causes, edema can occur due to infections, medications, pregnancy, or different other medical problems.
Here is a list of some of the causes of edema:
- eating too much salt
- sitting too much or keeping the same position for too long
- pregnancy
- premenstrual symptoms
- steroid drugs
- estrogens
- medications for high blood pressure
- thiazolidinediones a diabetes medication
- medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
How to Treat Swelling with Essential Oils
This is how and which oils you can use to treat swelling.
Soak the Body in Wintergreen Essential Oil
Even though this essential oil is not that popular, it can be a great remedy for swelling.
Moreover, the wintergreen is so potent that you only need to use 2 or 3 drops of it in warm water. Also, feel free to add a couple of drops, like 5 to 8, of peppermint, cypress, geranium, lemongrass, or lavender oils to the water together with the wintergreen.
Now, all you have to do is soak your feet in the essential oils for ten minutes 2-3 times every day and wait for the results. Furthermore, after you have soaked the feet, you can also rub them with all the essential oils that you mixed previously and massage your swollen ankles.
However, don’t massage your swollen feet because it will make the pain even worse. Remember, only massage your ankles with the essential oils.
Cypress, Lemongrass, and Grapefruit Essential Oils
If you mix these essential oils together, you can get a potent remedy for reducing inflammation on the skin. To do this, you will need 2 tablespoons of either coconut, canola, or sunflower oil and mix it with 2 or 3 drops of cypress, grapefruit, and lemongrass essential oils.
Also, you’d like, you can mix the drops of each of the three oils in a different container and transfer them to the carrier oil. Nevertheless, you should apply the mixture on the affected swollen areas and softly massage the spot to allow the blood to flow again.
In addition, do this 2 or 3 times every day if you want best results.
Other Essential Oils
Here is a list of some other essential oils you can use to reduce swelling.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Unlike some other essential oils, tea tree oil is safe for the skin. Therefore, you don’t have to dilute it or mix it with other oils. All you have to do is apply just a couple of drops on the affected area and massage it with outward strokes.
Also, try to massage the area from the feet up towards the knees so that you can let the fluid spread properly. In addition, you should do this about two times per day until you see no visible signs of swelling.
2. Geranium Oil
This essential oil can keep the oil glands balanced. These are the glands that cause the inflammation. So, to treat the swelling, add a couple of drops of geranium oil to your bath and soak in it to remove all the swelling as a result of the stacked fluids.
Furthermore, if you like, you can mix the geranium with some carrier oil and use it directly onto the skin. Moreover, this essential oil can be useful for treating acne, cold sores, bug bites, and hemorrhoids.
3. Juniper Oil
This is another essential oil useful for treating swelling and inflammation since it can remove all the excess fluid. To use this oil, in a tub of warm water, add a half a teaspoon of juniper oil and soak your feet in it.
However, make sure that you don’t use too much of this oil since it can irritate the skin.
4. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile is famous for its anti-inflammatory compounds, and with good reason. After all, it can treat poison ivy. Plus, it is great for the skin and even swollen limbs. To apply it, only use a few drops on the area and massage the spot until the swelling calms down.
If you want, you can also apply the oil with some damp cloth if you don’t want to touch it directly. On top of all the benefits that this oil can offer, it also has some exceptionally relaxing smell.
5. Lavender Oil
If you feel any discomfort from the swelling, you should massage your area with some lavender oil. To use it, only apply a few drops of the lavender oil onto the skin and massage the area with moderate pressure.
Keep doing this until the pain and swelling subside.
6. Fennel Oil
To effectively get rid of the swelling, mix a few drops of fennel oil with 30 ml of evening primrose oil, but don’t use more than 15 drops of each cypress and fennel oil. Massage the area to remove all the inflammation, discomfort and swelling.
When to Contact Your Doctor
If the swelling doesn’t subside and you believe that it is a sign of heart, kidney or liver problems, you should seek medical attention.
Furthermore, if you feel chest pain, fever, shortness of breath, or you are pregnant and have liver and heart issues and painful, warm swollen areas, you should contact your doctor immediately. Lastly, if you found this post helpful, make sure to share it with friends and family.
