Where do these oils come from?

Many people are turning to natural remedies such as eucalyptus oil, camphor oil, and wintergreen oil for topical pain, soreness, and arthritis relief.

The essential oil of eucalyptus is extracted from the branches and leaves of the eucalyptus tree.  The oil is distilled through a steam process that yields about one pound of oil for every fifty pounds of tree parts.  The main active ingredient is eucalyptol that exhibits many beneficial properties.  The essential oil of wintergreen is extracted from the leaves of a small evergreen plant.  The plant blossoms with white flowers in late spring and red berries during the summer.  Crushing the leaves gives off a very appealing scent.  The essential oil of camphor is extracted from a large evergreen tree commonly found in Asia.  Steam is used to distill the oil from root stumps, branches, and wood chips.

Benefits of Eucalyptus Oil

The eucalyptus tree is native to Australia, where the medicinal effects of eucalyptus oil were probably first noticed by early Aborigines.  Its germicidal properties could treat bacterial infections, and it was used to combat fever and skin problems.  In more modern times, it has been used as a cold remedy and decongestant to relieve coughs and respiratory conditions.  It's also an effective analgesic that can relieve joint and muscle pain in the neck, back, and extremities.  One common application is to mix some eucalyptus with a carrier oil and use the combination to relax muscles with a thorough deep-tissue massage.  It is used to treat common skin irritations such as burns, blisters, surface wounds, and insect bites.  It helps to stimulate the affected area and also provides a cooling sensation.  You can also add a few drops to water and pour it over the hot stones in a sauna.  This aids both the mental and physical recovery from the aches and pains that are often associated with sports workouts.

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Benefits of Wintergreen Oil

Wintergreen oil has been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans for many different ailments.  Chewing the leaves was seen as a way to promote dental health and help with a variety of respiratory problems.  The oil is commonly found in ointments and liniments that are used to massage joint and muscle pains caused by injury and stress.  It is also used to treat headache, arthritis, neuralgia, and back pain caused by sciatica and lumbago.  In addition to its analgesic properties, wintergreen is also beneficial as an astringent, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and physical and mental stimulant.  When blended with other herbs, its potent fragrance can help clear your sinuses as well as your mind.

Wintergreen oil is comprised mostly of methyl salicylate, and is toxic if ingested in sufficient quantity.  Any topical applications should be diluted to no more than 25% concentration to limit skin absorption to safe levels.  A forerunner to aspirin, a small amount of the oil has the equivalent potency of a bottle of aspirin, so care should be taken with the product around children.

Benefits of Camphor Oil

When diluted in almond oil, camphor can be used externally to improve circulation and raise blood pressure.  It is also used as an inhalant to ease the symptoms of respiratory ailments and reduce coughing.  Camphor is easily absorbed by the skin and can soothe muscles and joints with a cooling sensation similar to menthol.  It has the effect of a mild local anesthetic, and is also the active ingredient in some cooling and anti-itch ointments.  It is used to relieve rheumatic pain caused by age, injury, and arthritis.  It also has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent infections, but should not be used on burned or broken skin.  Camphor is potentially toxic and should not be taken internally or used during pregnancy, and caution should be exercised with children.

How these oils work and who should use them

Many people have difficulty taking oral pain relievers, don't tolerate them well, or prefer more natural remedies to provide them with pain relief.  Topical analgesics consisting of ointments and skin creams may provide temporary relief from aches and pains associated with afflicted joints and muscles. The active ingredients of the essential oils of eucalyptus, wintergreen, and camphor act as counterirritants. They act as a diversion to the real source of pain by irritating the skin's nerve endings endings and creating a numbing sensation. By distracting the brain's attention from the actual source, the affected area feels better to the person suffering the pain. These oils or their active ingredients are found in many over-the-counter pain medications.

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Whether or not you use these remedies is a personal choice that should be undertaken based on your tolerance for pain and your doctor's advice.  Many people use them as a supplement to more traditional pain medications that can be purchased with or without a prescription.