Essential oils are valuable contributors to alternative medicine and the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. There is a growing body of evidence that essential oils exert positive effects on human health.
Essential oils often have a strong odor and possess a complex composition, containing dozens to several hundred unique components. The vast majority of substances identified in essential oils include terpenes, modified terpenes (terpenoids), and combination polyphenol terpenoids (phenylpropanoids). Examples include:
- Limonene (present in citrus fruits)
- Myrcene (present in hops)
- Linalool (present in lavender)
- Pinene (present in pine trees)
- Thymol (present in thyme, oregano)
- Carnosic acid (present in rosemary)
- Eugenol (present in cloves)
In nature, essential oils play vital roles, such as:
- Attraction of insects to promote the dispersion of pollens and seeds.
- Acting as antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, insecticides, and herbicides.
- Deterring herbivores by reducing their appetite for such plants and attracting their predators.
Musculoskeletal Health Benefits
Essential oils demonstrate potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidant Properties
Free radicals are unstable, high-energy substances that attack DNA, proteins, and essential fats. Oxidative stress is a situation in which free radicals attack healthy cells, proteins, and fats. Many musculoskeletal diseases have been linked to oxidative stress and excessive free radical production, including osteoporosis (weak bones), arthritis (joint disease), and sarcopenia (muscle loss and weakness).
An antioxidant is any substance that helps protect the body against damage inflicted by free radicals. Essential oils have been shown to:
- Stop the formation of free radicals.
- Transform free radicals into less dangerous substances.
- Scavenge and completely neutralize free radicals.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Healthy inflammation is important for the body’s natural defense against invaders (bacteria, viruses, etc.), the removal of unhealthy cells, and facilitating recovery from injury. However, chronic unhealthy inflammation creates a scenario in which the body’s immune system unnecessarily attacks and destroys healthy tissue and normal cells. Chronic inflammation has been linked to osteoporosis, arthritis, sarcopenia, and tendinopathy (chronic tendon injury).
An anti-inflammatory is any substance that disrupts the inflammatory process. Essential oil components have been shown to target and neutralize multiple steps in the inflammatory pathway. Research suggests essential oils:
- Decrease synthesis of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules (cytokines IL1-β, TNF-α, IL-6).
- Decrease production of enzymes that generate pain, swelling, and redness (↓COX-2, iNOS).
- Disrupt pro-inflammatory cellular communication pathways (↓NF-kB, MAPK).
Selected Evidence
1. Essential Oils Boost Bone Health
Researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland examined the effect of pine oil on a rat model of osteoporosis. The investigators found that pine oil and its components (borneol, thymol, and camphor) inhibited osteoclast (bone resorbing cell) function. Osteoporosis can be considered a disease of osteoclast hyperactivity (Mühlbauer et al., 2003).
2. Essential Oils Promote Tendon Health
Brazilian researchers examined the effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet on a rat model of tendon injury. They found that Alpinia zerumbet oil increased the number of fibroblasts and resulted in a higher percentage of type I collagen fibers (78%) compared with control collagen fibers (55%). The authors concluded that Alpinia zerumbet oil stimulated the process of tendon maturation, organization, and tissue repair, leading to greater resistance and strength (Santos-Júnior et al., 2017).
3. Essential Oils Enhance Joint Health
Iranian investigators examined the effects of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. They found that the pain severity of the patients in the intervention group was significantly different immediately and one week after the intervention compared to their initial status and the control group (Nasiri et al., 2016).
4. Essential Oils Support Muscle Health
Brazilian researchers examined the effects of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil on a rat model of muscle injury. The investigators found that tea tree oil significantly decreased inflammatory infiltrates into the zone of injury (Morsoleto, 2015).
Also check out 8 Essential Oils You Need to be Using for Chronic Pain, 5 Strategies to Eliminate Chronic Pain, 4 Must-Have Herbs & Spices for Chronic Pain
Precautions
Essential oils are generally recognized as safe when used externally and when ingested at recommended doses. As with any supplement, consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or have any medical conditions. Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
References
- Bakkali, F., Averbeck, S., Averbeck, D., & Idaomar, M. (2008). Biological effects of essential oils—A review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, 446–475.
- Ebrahimabadi, A. H., Mazoochi, A., Kashi, F. J., Djafari-Bidgoli, Z., & Batooli, H. (2010). Essential oil composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the aerial parts of Salvia eremophila Boiss. from Iran. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 48, 1371–1376.
- Hahlbrock, K., & Scheel, D. (1989). Physiology and molecular biology of phenylpropanoid metabolism. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, 40, 347–369.
- Hopkins, S. J. (2003). The pathophysiological role of cytokines. Legal Medicine, 5, S45–S57.
- Koh, T., Murakami, Y., Tanaka, S., Machino, M., & Sakagami, H. (2013). Re-evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of eugenol in IL-1β-stimulated gingival fibroblast and pulp cells. In Vivo, 27, 269–273.
- Maestri, D. M., Nepote, V., Lamarque, A. L., & Zygadlo, J. A. (2006). Natural products as antioxidants. In F. Imperato (Ed.), Phytochemistry: Advances in Research (pp. 105–135). Research Signpost.
- Medzhitov, R. (2008). Origin and physiological roles of inflammation. Nature, 454, 428–435.
- Miguel, M. G. (2010). Antioxidant activity of medicinal and aromatic plants. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 25, 291–312.
- Miyasaka, N., & Hirata, Y. (1997). Nitric oxide and inflammatory arthritides. Life Sciences, 61, 2073–2081.
- Mühlbauer, R. C., et al. (2003). Common herbs, essential oils, and monoterpenes potently modulate bone metabolism. Bone, 32(4), 372–380.
- Nasiri, A., et al. (2016). Effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 25, 75–80.
- Rubiolo, P., Sgorbini, B., Liberto, E., Cordero, C., & Bicchi, C. (2010). Essential oils and volatiles: Sample preparation and analysis. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 25, 282–289.
- Santos-Júnior, L., et al. (2017). Effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. on healing and tissue repair after partial Achilles tenotomy in rats. Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira, 32(6), 449–458.
- Sangwan, N. S., Farooqui, A. H. A., Shabih, F., & Sangwan, R. S. (2001). Regulation of essential oil production in plants. Plant Growth Regulation, 34, 3–21.
- Tung, Y. T., Chua, M. T., Wang, S. Y., & Chang, S. T. (2008). Anti-inflammation activities of essential oil and its constituents from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum). Bioresource Technology, 99, 3908–3912.
