Want To Heal Those Sports Injuries Fast? Try Essential Oils

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Any active athlete is familiar with the depressing moments of dealing with an injury. Its never fun to have to give up your sport for awhile, or participate in a limited way, while healing. You may have tried supplements (or handfuls of ibuprofen), or one or more topical ointments with crazy foreign labels -- and like most users, all these seem to produce very limited results. What you want is something that works where you can really TELL its working. Well you probably never thought of them for this application, but essential oils have been VERY effective for many sports enthusiasts, for the healing of all sorts of both chronic and acute injuries.

A quick look at why essential oils work might convince you to at least give them a try. The physiologic aspects of injury are very similar, whether it be tendonitis, a tweaked ankle, a jammed wrist, or even an impact injury. You'll find inflammation and oxidative radicals around the site. Inflammation may be the body's way of actually protecting the area, but in the long run it slows the healing process. The oxidative radicals just happen to be associated with tissue damage -- and your body needs to mop these up. Well, there's a growing body of evidence noting the efficacy of essential oils managing these two processes: reducing the inflammatory response and moping up free radicals. On top of that, certain ketones found in very specific essential oils are known to stimulate tissue regeneration. Put all these actions together and you'll have something that really might speed healing of your injuries.

Before we get to the specific oils, here's some notes on how to use them. First, more isn't necessarily better with essential oils. You don't need a lot for them to be effective. However, they are rapidly metabolized by the body, so you'll want to apply them frequently: put a little of your concoction on often. Second, except in rare cases (which we'll explain in a moment), the essential oils are diluted in "carrier oils". These are seed or nut oils which "carry" the essential oils into your tissues. The point is, don't just go applying the essential oils straight out of the bottle to the spots that hurt, but make a formula with the correct dilution ratios first.

Certain essential oils CAN be used at 100% strength (also called "neat" application") in certain cases. When an injury has just happened, say out on the playing field, then "neat" application can dramatically reduce the swelling that can occur. This initial swelling is why some athletes will apply ice to an area immediately -- it can have a big impact on how quickly the injury heals in the long run. One leading medical aromatherapist notes that the initial hematoma can be severely reduced or almost entirely prevented from appearing altogether.

The single most important oil for the athlete is Helichrysum essential oil. It manages to do everything at once: stop inflammation, clean up oxidation, reduce pain, and actually stimulate tissue regeneration with its unique chemical profile. If you were to only try one single oil for healing, this would be the one. It's not inexpensive, but as an athlete, knowing what a drag it is not getting to do your thing, its price looks much more attractive. This is the primary oil called for where those injuries have just happened -- using it at full strength in these cases -- as well as for chronic injuries, where you'll dilute it to 10 or 20 percent in a seed or nut oil before applying. But to really speed the healing processes, Helichrysum can be blended with other oils that perform similar functions, but in slightly different ways.

Next up is the essential oil distilled from a root found in Southeast Asia -- Plai essential oil. Relatively unknown in the West, limited research has shown it to be a very effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory. It was noted that for post-operative knee pain, the regular course of pain killers wasn't necessary because the essential oil was so effective. It will also neutralize free radicals at an injury site, further helping healing. This oil also can be used at full strength if needed for short periods of time.

These last two oils are highly regarded specifically for their anti-inflammatory action: Ginger Root and German Blue Chamomile. The most effective types of these oils are not from traditional "steam distillation" (the process by which most essential oils are made) but from a cold-process called "super critical carbon dioxide extraction". This method creates a more complex, and potentially more healing oil. Both of these oils are used in MUCH lower concentrations: Ginger at less than three percent, and Chamomile at less than two percent. They are generally called for healing of chronic injuries, or acute ones once the injury site has "cooled down" a bit, perhaps after 24 hours.

Making your own formula is very simple. A highly effective recipe for tendonitis or shin splints is as follows: 10-20% Helichrysum, 3% Ginger and 2% German Chamomile. (The Helichrysum is given in a range, as it is a relatively costly oil -- 10% concentration is very common, though 20% MAY work even better in some cases -- also, do not use more than 2% Chamomile, as it is thought to become "pro-inflammatory at concentrations greater than this). One ounce of this formula is calculated like this: one ounce = 30 milliliters; 10% of this = 3ml, 3% = 1ml, 2%= 2/3ml. You may multiply these numbers up to make 2, 4, or more ounces. Measure the essential oils to an empty container first, then fill the bottle the rest of the way with your carrier oil (Jojoba is an excellent choice, with its long shelf life). This formula may also be made with Plai in place of the Helichrysum for a lower cost, yet still highly effective blend.

Feel free to experiment! Any combination using Helichrysum and/or Plai, and Ginger and/or Chamomile in ratios similar to those above is likely to have profound healing results. Some users experience relief virtually instantly; others with chronic injuries that have been nagging for a while will certainly take longer -- as they would with any therapy. There's really an entire recipe book for aromatherapy's use in sports, such as pre- and post-event massage blends and the like, yet this injury-healing preparation is so simple, and possibly so helpful to so many, its a perfect place to get started using oils to enhance sports performance and enjoyment.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author is the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-class pure lavender essential oil, and tools like an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser.

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