HHH: Muscle washes, gels and sprays incorporating Essential Oils can combat pain in your horse and offer relaxing support:
Bucket wash: Combine 30 drops each of clary sage and peppermint, 20 drops each of jasmine and ginger into pure aloe vera gel. Add mix to warm water (hot enough to disperse the blend yet not too hot to touch).
Apply with a clean cloth.
Concentrate: Combine 40 drops lavender, 20 drops each of lemongrass and sweet marjoram into pure aloe vera gel along with ionized water to make 250 ml. Like warming a baby bottle allow to heat then stand for 10 minutes. Test, then spread directly to specific areas or onto a soft cloth.
(Note: Never put essential oils in metal.)
Blend no greater than 15 drops each of peppermint, wintergreen, white birch and roman chamomile into pure aloe vera gel. Tests cold but warms quickly to the bone. Dilute in pure aloe vera juice if a spray is desired. Combinations for arthritis and rheumatism pain: Mix 3-5 oils @ 3 drops per 5ml such as Cajeput, Pine and Lemon for anti-acidic, or black pepper, ginger, juniper and grapefruit for stiffness and overexertion with cold and wet conditions.
TOP 10 PAIN-RELIEVING EOs
1. Peppermint ( Mentha piperita ) is a MUST for the acid conditions of inflamed muscles and joints, as well as aches and sprains.
2. Lemon ( Citrus limonum ) is also good against acid conditions due to its citric qualities. It also relieves muscular spasms.
3. Black pepper ( Pier nigrum ) and Violet Leaf ( Viola odorata ) both possess mild pain support qualities.
4. Clary Sage ( Salvia sclarea ) relieves tension from muscular overexertion.
5.Lavender ( Lavandula officinalis ) may relieve pain following dental work.
6. Benzoin ( Styrax benzoin ) calms and soothes muscle pain from arthritis and rheumatism, as does
7. Chamomile (both German- Chamomilia matricaria and Roman- Anthemis nobilis ) with added anti-inflammatory support.
8. Eucalyptus ( globulus or radiata ) has pain-relieving qualities which encourages warm local circulation, as does
9. Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) which is great over joints during cold rainy damp periods.
10. Jasmine ( Jasminum officinale ) is often recommended for its pain-relieving qualities for aches, pains, stiffness and sprains, although never use with pregnant mares!
11. Vetiver ( Vetiveria zizznoides ) is a great addition to a muscle wash and for its support of rheumatism, arthritic aches, pains, sprains.
Note: Gently apply, but NEVER massage over painful, inflamed or swollen joints. Return to massage area of pain after swelling subsides.