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Foot pain is something that a lot of mothers put up with as an inevitable part of daily life. If you are on your feet all day doing chores and taking care of the kids, they are going to ache by the end. But, many of us will overlook underlying issues and neglect our feet when we could do more to care for them. A simple solution could be to try some essential oils.
Should you try essential oils for foot pain?
The solution to this problem could be to try some essential oils. You may be familiar with essential oils as ingredients in skincare products or in burners for room fragrances. But, these oils are more than just a tool for aromatherapy. The right oil can have great benefits for health and well-being when used during a massage or a soak. It all depends on the botanical extract and application.
In this guide, I want to showcase the best essential oils for feet from four popular brands. These four companies all have a wide range of products to choose from that cater to different needs. The options selected for each brand are essential oils for foot pain.
This could be for use as a massage oil to ease muscle pain, a quick roll-on treatment, or as a foot soak for greater relaxation. Some oils may have additional properties. There are also some sets included for a broader experience of gifting essential oils. Before we look at the different brands and products, let’s look at some common questions about essential oils for foot care.
Essential oil foot care FAQS.
Does putting essential oil on feet work?
Yes. Regardless of the method you choose, the right essential oil can do wonders for foot health. The best products have anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sore or strained muscles in the feet. Many also fight bacterial infections and/or soften callous skin. The relaxing scents also add a psychological benefit.
How do you apply essential oil to your feet?
There are different ways that you can use essential oils for your feet and achieve different benefits. You still get the advantages of the active botanical ingredients but can tailor the experience. They are as follows.
1) Essential oils for massages.
A good starting point is to look for the best essential oils for massages. These are the little bottles of natural oils that you can use directly on the skin. It is a good idea to do a little tester in case of adverse reactions first.
Then you can drop some oil on your palm and rub them into the tense area around your feet and toes. Pay attention to the heels and balls of the feet. Better yet, have someone else do this for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for a foot rub as a favor. This means better access to difficult areas and more opportunity to relax.
If you don’t like the idea of massaging the oil directly onto your feet, you could add the oil to a lotion. This dilutes the oil to reduce potent scents but should still allow for the desired health benefits.
You can also gain the moisturizing properties of the lotion and any ingredients already within for a more well-rounded application. The oils should sink into the feet well and help to nourish tired and dry skin, particularly any callous on the balls of the feet.
2) Essential oils for foot baths
The alternative option here is to drop some of the essential oil into a warm foot bath. This reacts with the water to soak into feet and target muscles and issues of inflammation.
It is also a great way to relax as you get to sit back for a little while and enjoy the scent. This is where some of the blended oils mentioned below work well.
You get the direct action of the anti-inflammatory agents and other properties. But, you then get additional notes and scents that make the experience more relaxing.
3) Essential oil roll-on products.
Those traditional essential oil products with the little dropper may be perfect for more intense massages and foot soaks. However, we don’t always have the time for that sort of treatment.
That is where it helps to bring in a roll-on essential oil product. These let you apply the formula directly to the skin while also offering a massage effect with the roller.
It is quick and effective when you choose the right product. There are also some options on diluted roll-on for kids that could be a great help for parents. Check out your chosen brand’s range to see what they have on offer.
What is the best essential oil for a foot massage?
In order to get the best results for your foot pain or related condition, you need a high-quality essential oil with pure botanical ingredients. Some companies offer blends of ingredients to specifically target muscle pain while others are solely based on one extract. There are examples of both below. Some of the best essential oils for foot care include the following
1) Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the most popular essential oils for feet because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can soak into tense muscles and freshen feet while invigorating the senses.
2) Eucalyptus.
This extract works in a very similar way because of the way that it invigorates both body and mind. It can soak into the skin for relaxation and purification. But, it also has that psychological effect when you need to perk yourself up.
3) Ginger.
Ginger is something that I, personally, associate more with tea than with topical solutions. However, there are undeniable benefits in ginger as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. So, it could also work well on swollen feet or if you are looking for essential oils for an athlete’s foot.
4) Lavender.
Again, I think of Lavender as a remedy for sleep rather than for pain relief. The antidepressant properties are great for unwinding at the end of the day, which does lend it to a foot bath. Lavender is also an analgesic and anti-inflammatory substance, so great for various foot conditions.
5) Rose geranium.
This is a more unusual one for those new to essential oils for foot care. Rose geranium oil not only smells great but also helps to rejuvenate skin through cell replenishment. You can soothe muscle pain and help with callouses.
6) Frankincense
Frankincense is another option that sounds unusual at first but is actually a helpful tool for foot health. It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and has lots of antioxidants. As a result, many companies add it to their range.
Should you go for one essential oil ingredient or a blend?
As you will see with some of the highlighted products below, there are benefits in going for a blend. Some companies take the time to select a series of ingredients that work well together.
Many offer something called “Muscle Relief” or something similar. You may get a strong base of one of the ingredients above and some additional extracts for better health or a more refreshing scent. This is where it helps to browse a brand’s collection and see what unusual options they may have of interest.
Can you get sets of essential oils for foot pain instead?
Sets of oils are great for testing out different formulas. You get a choice where you can switch between scents so you don’t get bored with the same experience all the time.
You may also be able to tailor massage or foot soaks based on what is causing you the most problems. Also, these sets could prove to be a great gift for other mothers going from a similar experience.
With all of this in mind, lets’ look at four of the leading companies providing the best essential oils for foot pain right now.
Plant Therapy essential oils for feet.
Plant Therapy is a brilliant organization that strives to offer high-quality oils that customers can rely on. They promise that all formulas go through rigorous independent third-party testing and that you will find no GMOs, pesticides, or other harmful agents.
They are also certified as organic through ECOCERT ICO and have Leaping Bunny Certification to show their commitment to cruelty-free products. I also like their focus on philanthropy. They donated $17,000 for the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and are part of other important campaigns.
1) Plant Therapy Egyptian Geranium Essential Oil
Plant Therapy has a really nice range of oils where there is one key ingredient for health and well-being. Geranium products are a little different from the norm but a great choice for foot massages with a nice floral scent. This 100% pure product will work great directly on the foot or be added to a topical lotion for a more soothing foot cream. The Egyptian Geranium extract should be of the same high quality as the extracts across the Plant Therapy range.
2) Plant Therapy Pumpkin Spice Fall Essential Oil Blend
I wanted to included this one next because it is so different compared to so many other products in this guide. I admit that it might not have the same medicinal benefits as other botanical products.
However, seasonal specialties help us switch up scents to something that makes us happy. If we smile while soaking our feet in a pumpkin spice foot bath, we are already halfway to recovery. Also, you still get 10 mL 100% pure therapeutic-grade oil here.
3) Plant Therapy Top 6 Synergies Set
This next option from Plant Therapy is one of their sets. There are a few different starter sets on offer. However, this one seems like a great option for beginners in need of essential oils for foot pain.
The Muscle Relief blend is going to be your best bet here. However, you also get the benefits of options for Sleep, Stress, Energy, and Health for a more well-rounded experience. You can try them out in different ways or gift a set to someone in need of pampering.
Eden’s Garden Essential Oils for feet.
Eden’s Garden is a company that puts a lot of emphasis on its story and how it came to produce essential oil products. It is both a women-led and family-owned organization and has developed its line since 2009.
Again, you are guaranteed a high-end product where there is nothing but 100% pure oil with no unnecessary additives or chemicals. The oils are also vegan and cruelty-free. Furthermore, they are committed to third-party GC/MS testing for quality control.
1) Eden’s Garden Lavender French Essential Oil
You can’t beat French Lavender for scent when it comes to relaxation products. So, this 100% pure therapeutic-grade option from Eden’s Garden is sure to help you relax when added directly to your feet or to a foot bath. The high-quality formula has the potential to get deep into muscles to soothe aches and pains. It is a high-quality item with a good dropper and a strong glass bottle as desired.
2) Eden’s Garden Muscle Relief Essential Oil Synergy Blend
This one is a little bit different because it combines a series of ingredients for a more intricate blend. You get a mixture of Peppermint, Clove Bud, Wintergreen, and Helichrysum that should work together for muscle relief.
The ingredients include a number of anti-inflammatory agents while also providing an interesting scent. This is a great option if you are tired of using a more traditional scent and want something new and stimulating.
3) Eden’s Garden Aches & Pains Essential Oil
Another alternative option from Eden’s Garden is to take the pain relief further with a more comprehensive set of oils. This set has a bottle of Muscle Relief, with the same great formula and results for foot pain and other aches. But, you also get their Circu-Touch, and Head Ease oils. This means you could provide a more beneficial spa treatment at home where you deal with a few issues at once.
Rocky Mountain Oils Essential Oils for feet.
Rocky Mountain is a little less about the story and ethos of the brand and more about customer satisfaction. Their priorities relate to their S.A.A.F.E. Promise.
This focuses on the analysis and safety of their products to provide a healthcare solution buyers can rely on. They also promise to offer great customer service with their support for new buyers and their range of product options. An interesting part of this for me is their kid-friendly line. I have included one of these below.
1) Rocky Mountain Oils Peppermint Essential Oil
Again, I want to start with one of the more simple oils in the range. You can’t go too wrong with Peppermint when it comes to rejuvenating your feet after a long day. The various properties should have your feet feeling close to new with a good massage or foot bath. As with the other products, you get a small bottle of concentrated oil with 100% pure ingredients and no nasty fillers.
2) Rocky Mountain Oils Nerve Support Essential Oil Blend
This is another product where the company has blended a series of ingredients for a more interesting solution. The Nerve Support Essential Oil Blend could be a great way to deal with localized pain and discomfort around the nerves of the feet rather than just swelling and muscle pain.
It combines Basil, Helichrysum italicum, Peppermint, and Marjoram with a base of Coconut Oil. This provides a herbal fragrance and great moisture.
3) Rocky Mountain Oils Muscle Soothe RMO Kids Line
I wanted to add in an extra product when talking about Rocky Mountain Oils because they do some interesting kid-friendly products. These could be helpful for your foot pain too, but mostly show that there is something for all the family. You get a safer diluted version of a Muscle Soothe Blend in a roll-on application. It is simple, effective, and smells great.
4) Rocky Mountain Oils The Essentials Kit.
Finally, for Rocky Mountain Oils, I wanted to include another set of products. This one isn’t as specialized as some of the other sets for pain relief, so may not be as directly beneficial.
However, there are lots of classic scents and extract that can work wonders for inflammation and other issues. It is also a fun introduction to essential oils for complete novices. You get Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and Rosemary in cute little 5ml bottles.
Healing Solutions Essential Oils for feet.
Finally, we have Healing Solutions. This is the company that I am on the fence about because of a lack of information on the brand. However, I also see that they have a wide range of options in affordable solutions – including several organic certified products.
They are also popular with those that achieve the results they were after. Still, there is less talk of third-party testing and more focus on the credentials of their in-house scientist/chef and on-site comprehensive testing.
1) Healing Solutions Ginger Essential Oil
First up, we have another single ingredient option that can do more than you most expect. You get a 100% pure therapeutic-grade ginger oil in a 10ml bottle with a built-in dropper. This is a Chinese ginger root, so should be potent and effective for muscle pain and any potential bacterial issues. The scent is unusual for spa treatments with a warm and strong spicy smell. This may be better diluted into water.
2) Healing Solutions Frankincense Essential Oil
Healing Solutions appear to do more with individual oils and interesting scents than blends. That is why I have chosen the 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Frankincense Oil as my next option. Again, Frankincense may not be a scent you immediately think of when it comes to spa treatments, maybe more of a room scent. However, there is great potential for pain relief here and you get another pure solution with high-grade ingredients.
3) Healing Solutions Essential Oils Best Blends Set of 6
Finally, we have another set of 100% pure therapeutic-grade oils that could work well for enhanced self-care. There are six bottles in total, all with great promises for pain relief in different areas.
They are Breathe, Good Sleep, Head Relief, Muscle Relief, Stress Relief, and Health Shield. You can use the Muscle Relief for direct foot pain relief but the rest could also help at the end of a long day. This is another broad set that works well as a gift.
The right essential oils for foot pain could make a big difference
There are lots of options in the best essential oils for feet. My personal favorite of these brands and options is Plant Therapy because of the great range of oils, the fun seasonal alternatives, and their commitment to helping the planet.
Rocky Mountain and Eden’s Garden aren’t far behind with their ranges and their promise of quality items with guaranteed safety. I have questions about Healing Solutions but admit that their range and customer satisfaction ratings are still pretty good.
As for choosing an oil, it really does come down to personal needs and preferences. While I may find a classic peppermint to be soothing and relaxing, I know this is partly psychological based on childhood memories of my mother’s foot cream.
You may love the effect and scent of Geranium or Frankensense a lot more. You can always try different options and see which works best, which is why the starter sets are so helpful.
Finally, I want to encourage parents to take the time to indulge in this sort of treatment. You might think that you are wasting valuable time setting up a foot bath or annoying loved ones by asking for a foot rub.
Think of this as essential self-care. If you look after your feet now, even with one massage or foot bath a week, you offer greater long-term protection and relief. You can end the day relaxing and healing so you are better able to take on the next. Find something that helps and that you enjoy using. Make the most of it.
