Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Published : December 11, 2017 6:32 PM IST
Rosemary is also used in medical systems due to its aroma and medicinal properties. Rosemary essential oil has been used to get relief from various health problems. Rosemary essential oil contains anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial elements. All of these help protect from infections. So, it also helps in the digestion and circulation of fluids.
You do not need to keep essential oils restricted just to your bath. A good cool down stretch can help release all the tension from your body. But if you have worked extremely hard at the gym, you can use a few essential oils for a quick recovery.These scented drops with mood-boosting properties can also help soothe sore muscles after a workout and thus aid in post-workout recovery. So inhale, dab and enjoy these oils after exercise.
Peppermint oil: The fresh scented peppermint oil has excellent healing properties [1]. Just add a drop of peppermint oil to water and rub it on your muscles for some topical relief after cooling down from a hard gym session. Here are 5 expert tips to use essential oils for beginners.
Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus oil can also be excellent for alleviating aches and pains and thus can be of great post-workout use [2]. Just add a bit of eucalyptus oil to a cool, wet washcloth and place it on those aching muscles. You can also place the wet towel on your face to reduce redness.
Lemongrass oil: This fragrant and zesty essential oil can also relieve muscle pain [3]. Just rub the oil directly on your muscles to get some relief. Also, follow these 4 tips to relax sore muscles after a workout.
Lavender oil: The aroma of lavender is associated with its cooling, calming and soothing qualities. It has good anti-inflammatory properties that can fight muscle soreness and relieve joint pain. Just rub some lavender oil directly on your muscles [4].
References:
[1] Meamarbashi, A., & Rajabi, A. (2013). The effects of peppermint on exercise performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-15
[2] Lakhan, S. E., Sheafer, H., & Tepper, D. (2016). The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy in Reducing Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Research and Treatment, 2016, 8158693. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8158693
Koulivand, P. H., Khaleghi Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2013, 681304. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/681304
[3] Nikjou, R., Kazemzadeh, R., Rostamnegad, M., Moshfegi, S., Karimollahi, M., & Salehi, H. (2016). The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on the Pain Severity of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Triple-blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 6(4), 211 215. https://doi.org/10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_527_14
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