IT HURT SO BAD. I thought I sprained my arm.
Two days ago whenever I bent my arm, there would be a knife sharp pain that shot up. Yikes. It sounded bad right? Well usually the first thing someone would grab for would be a Tylenol, or rub some of that A535 muscle cream— If you don’t know what A535 is, it’s not a password to a secret compartment in my house leading to a black market dealer who had the good stuff— Haha, sorry for that image. Hope you pictured it and it made you laugh. Anyways, it was a cream we had handy whenever we would get any aches and pains in our body. Emphasis on ‘had’, ever since clearing out our medicine cabinet of toxic creams, I started to use essential oils and herbal remedies. Now I’ll tell you about wintergreen essential oil benefits.
Wintergreen Essential Oil
I had a tube of gel with Epsom salt, and various essential oils. Although I applied it twice the first and the second, I didn’t feel any better. The pain was still there. I know I probably should have been more patient, but saying ow after a few breaths was getting to my nerves. I then considered trying peppermint essential oil. I headed to my favourite Health food store and lo and behold, they had none. No peppermint, but they did have wintergreen. And even on the label I read it was great for muscle and joint pain. I was sold and brought it home.
It’s Literally Cool
This small bottle Kicks aches away with a cool and warm sensation. Why’s that? The compounds in Wintergreen essential oil are many. Here’s the various properties that make this great for pain, digestion and even circulation.
Wintergreen Essential Oil Benefits
As an Analgesic, it absorbs readily through the skin. And because it increases your blood circulation it brings warmth to the area you rub this refreshing essential oil. A property called Menthyl Salicylate numbs the nerves to fight pain. The circulation helps to clear obstructions in the blood, helping to combat arthritis and rheumatism.
The nature of this oil brings a relaxing and stimulating effect, which in turn can reduce spasms in the digestive, muscular, respiratory and nervous system.
Wintergreen is Antiseptic, making it lethal to bacteria and viruses. So if you’re battling a flu, you could use this as a chest decongestant to open up your stuffy sinuses.
Caution Because I Care and So Should You
One thing to note however, is that it should never come in contact with open wounds or blood. It is best to apply it topically and never orally, since it can penetrate the skin, reach the muscles and organs throughout the body. And, always dilute with vegetable oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil or avocado oil etc.
Essential Oil pic by Jenny English on Flickr.