Are you unable to walk or move freely because your feet have swollen?
Swollen feet can be a painful but regular occurrence in many people. This swelling is known as edema. [1]
Swollen feet may make you uncomfortable, but there are several ways to relieve swelling.
One natural remedy for instant and long-lasting relief from swollen feet is essential oils.
You don’t have to live with swollen feet. It can be diagnosed and managed. [2]
With a few simple steps, you might be able to reduce the pain you’re feeling seriously.
In this article, you’ll find a list of 7 amazing essential oils for swollen feet.
Stay with us to know more about:
- Known Causes & Symptoms of Swollen Feet
- List of Essential Oils for Swollen Feet
- How you Should Use Essential Oils for Swollen Feet
- Useful Advice for Keeping Feet from Swelling
RELATED: 13 Sure Ways to Get Rid of Bunions Using Home Remedies
Known Causes & Symptoms of Swollen Feet
Swollen feet could indicate fluid retention in the feet or ankles, but it might also be a sign of medical conditions you might have.
Some possible causes of swollen feet are pregnancy complications, foot injury, lymphedema, venous insufficiency, infection, blood clot, heart, liver, or kidney disease, or a medication side effect. [3]
Essential Oils for Swollen Feet
When you think of essential oils, aromatherapy probably springs to mind. [4]
Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine practice. It utilizes aromatic essential oils. Inhaling and applying essential oils to the skin can help you overcome various health problems.
Essential oils don’t exist only to relax the body or mind. They have also been used for over 5000 years as natural remedies and are currently widely used in medicine. [5]
Essential oils are highly concentrated oils. They have powerful health benefits.
There are many essential oils anyone with swollen feet needs to have at home.
Essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal properties, and anti-inflammatory properties. [6, 7, 8]
Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, referred to aromatic plants as the ‘father of medicine.’ [9]
Essential oils can fight infections and kill your pain. They are a natural, safe treatment for swelling feet.
Here are the seven essential oils that can treat and soothe swelling feet.
1. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile has been a medicinal herb since ancient times. [10]
There are two types of chamomile, the Roman chamomile, and the German chamomile. [11]
Roman chamomile oil is calming. German chamomile oil relieves pain.
One potential cause of swollen feet is being overweight. [12] Excess body mass can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet. Chamomile oil cures dysfunctions of the circulatory system.
Swollen feet may also occur while taking medications, such as some antidepressants. [13] Chamomile oil is very useful in fighting depression. [14]
Essential oils are not safe for skin application if you don’t mix them in some carrier oil. Do not apply pure essential oils directly to the skin.
You can mix three or four drops of chamomile essential oil into a carrier oil so that it can carry them to the affected areas well. Then, massage it into your feet bottoms twice a day.
RELATED: 14 Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea (Backed by Science)
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a versatile essential oil. It can relieve pain and enhance blood circulation like chamomile oil, but it is also known to protect against headaches, depression, and diabetes. [15]
Most diabetics suffer from foot swelling due to improper blood circulation. The increased pressure damages blood capillaries which causes leaking into surrounding tissues. The lavender essential oil can help reverse diabetes naturally. [16]
Anxiety may also induce swelling. Swelling is one of a host of different anxiety symptoms that people experience due to stress. Lavender oil can reduce anxiety. [17]
People don’t only value lavender oil for its versatility. Its floral fragrance is soothing, too.
Apply and slowly massage a few drops of lavender essential to the affected area to alleviate the ache until the swelling and pain subside.
RELATED: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
3. Lemongrass Oil
Another excellent choice of essential oil for any possible swelling problem you might have is lemongrass oil.
Lemongrass oil is known for its powerful analgesic properties. [18] It diminishes sensations of pain. It is often used in muscle balms to relieve muscle and joint pains.
Diseases such as arthritis can also affect the feet, leading to swelling. Lemongrass essential oil can be a potent anti-inflammatory drug. [19] It can be used to treat swelling due to arthritis. It can also be used to manage the pain caused by swelling.
In a standard-size tub, dissolve a few drops of lemongrass oil in warm water and soak your feet for 15 minutes.
4. Fennel Oil
The application of fennel essential oil eases discomfort caused by swelling in the feet.
Feet swelling might be a symptom of food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome in the large intestine, traveler’s diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. [20]
Inflammation of the stomach and intestine from these medical conditions can cause painful spasms and cramping.
Fennel essential oil is a powerful ingredient for good digestive health. [21]
Rub essential fennel oil on the bottom of your feet for digestive relief and to treat swollen feet.
RELATED: 7 Essential Oils for Gut Health & Gut Flora
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree essential oil is a powerful and valuable healing solution for swollen feet.
Swelling of the feet and ankles can be a sign of infection. Tea tree essential oil has scientifically backed benefits, such as its potent antiseptic properties. You can apply it to the skin for infections. [22]
Standing or sitting for long periods can cause swollen feet. When the muscles are inactive, they can’t pump body fluids back toward the heart. The retention of water and blood causes swelling in the feet.
Tea tree essential oil can help you get rid of your water retention.
Mix tea tree essential oil with carrier oil and apply it to your affected area at night before bed and in the morning when you wake up. You should start at the end of your feet and move up to your ankles, thus allowing any trapped fluids to spread out.
6. Wintergreen Oil
Wintergreen essential oil is a natural painkiller and is useful in treating swollen feet.
Its strong soothing properties make it popular with rheumatism, arthritis, and gout patients. Unfortunately, foot swelling and joint pain are common symptoms of these diseases, which typically worsen with age.
Wintergreen essential oil acts as an analgesic, inducing numbness in the affected area. [23] It also relieves spasms.
Dilute a few drops of wintergreen essential oil with any carrier oil and apply it directly to your swollen feet. Massage gently for a few minutes. This treatment also works best if done 2-3 times each day until you achieve the desired result.
7. Juniper Oil
Juniper essential oil is most commonly used in natural remedies as it contains strong antioxidants, antibacterials, and antifungals. [24]
Juniper essential oil gives instant relief from foot swelling and pain.
Feet swelling can indicate kidney disease. When your kidneys are not functioning properly, fluid can build up in your body.
Juniper essential oil can also be a natural cleansing and detoxifying agent, supporting healthy kidney and urinary tract function.
Use juniper essential oil alongside carrier oil and massage directly onto the affected area for 5-10 minutes. Repeat the process regularly till the swelling subsides.
Useful Advice for Keeping Your Feet from Swelling
You can make small changes to your everyday life to help reduce swelling.
- Don’t stand for too long.
- Don’t sit for too long.
- Elevate your feet while resting.
- Increase your water intake.
- Reduce your salt intake.
- Wear footwear that supports the foot adequately and allows it to breathe.
- Avoid high heels that don’t allow your feet to move freely.
- Walk or exercise for a few minutes every day.
- Lose weight.
- Moderate alcohol consumption.
Bottom Line
Swollen feet can result in chronic pain, but it does not have to stop you from living a full and rewarding life.
You may feel like you will never get proper treatment, but most patients with swelling feet can now be helped.
Statistically, swollen feet are usually not an indication of an extremely serious or life-threatening condition. [25]
You can easily liberate yourself from this illness and pain with essential oils and a healthier lifestyle.
