Sports enthusiasts used to intense effort know all about cramp. It's a terrible pain that makes even the toughest athletes tremble. And yet, medically, cramps are as benign as it gets. However, they are sometimes a sign of a body that's running out of water and minerals.

Some sensitive people may suffer from it during the night, but it's hard to say why. In all cases, hydration and the intake of trace elements are recommended to prevent the risk. If, despite your best efforts, an attack does occur, here's how you can react and quickly relieve cramp pain with essential oils.

Why do we suffer from cramps?

Although we don't know all the mechanisms involved in cramps, we do know that they are strong, involuntary, intermittent muscle contractions. These spasms are due to overexcitation of the nerves, mainly in the muscles of the lower limbs. Neurological diseases and pathologies such as diabetes and cirrhosis are aggravating factors. But anyone can suffer from it once in a lifetime or on a regular basis, without anyone really knowing why.

In any case, a lack of water and minerals are generally associated with cramp. If the disorder is benign, nocturnal attacks can be highly incapacitating, as the intense pain disturbs rest. If these temporary ailments persist, the entire sleep cycle is disrupted. Here are our tips for fighting cramps with essential oils.

The 6 most effective essential oils against cramps

Do you suffer from cramps on a regular basis, and are you tired of the agony? Here are the essential oils that will change your life, either as a preventive measure or if, despite your best efforts, you haven't been able to avoid an attack. So, among the many pain-relieving essences, we've selected the ones we think are most effective in relieving cramps:

L’Huile de romarin à camphre pour atténuer la douleur

As with lavandin super, camphor is of particular interest in this essence. This molecule, popularized by Tiger Balm, works in synergy with the rest of the essential oil's components to alleviate the pain caused by over-excitation of the nerves at the origin of cramp.

• Use: Place 1 drop of rosemary camphor essence in 4 drops of vegetable oil and massage into the painful area. Repeat up to 4 times a day. For prolonged use, observe a 7-day rest period after 3 weeks' use.
• Precautions : Irritating to the skin, dilute 20% in a water-based detergent. vegetable oil before skin application. Common rosemary has different chemotypes which are not equivalent, especially as camphor is of particular interest. Be careful not to mix this oil with others.

Contraindications : Only adults and children over 6 years of age are authorized to use this essence, with the exception of pregnant and breast-feeding women, people suffering from hormone-dependent pathologies (cancer...), hypertension, epilepsy or asthma. As it is hepatotoxic and neurotoxic in high concentrations, doses must be scrupulously respected, and use should be occasional or of short duration. Finally, it has a cortison-like action and can be a source of allergy due to the limonene and linalool it contains.

Gaultheria couchée and Odorant essential oils

Both wintergreen and fragrant wintergreen essential oils come from a shrub in the Gaultheria family, whose main claim to fame is that it contains a high concentration of methyl salicylate, the molecule behind aspirin. Like the commercial molecule, the essential oil has analgesic properties that enable it to reduce the pain associated with cramp-like muscle spasms.

• Directions for use: Dilute 1 drop of essence in 4 drops of an vegetable oil to massage the affected area. Repeat up to 4 times in 24 hours.
• Precautions : If you suffer from epilepsy, you must seek the advice of a therapist.

Contraindications: These essential oils are not suitable for children under 6 years of age, and are not authorized for use by pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Like aspirin, wintergreen and wintergreen oil cannot be used by people on anticoagulant therapy, nor by those allergic to aspirin or its derivatives. Irritating to the skin, they should be used diluted at 20% in an huile végétale. Si vous souffrez d’asthme, d’eczéma, d’ulcère, ou d’une hernie hiatale, passez votre chemin. Enfin, elle n’est pas employable avant une intervention chirurgicale.                                                                                                                                       DÉCOUVRIR

Lemon Eucalyptus, the spasmolytic essential oil 

Lemon eucalyptus essence contains a large majority of citronnellal, a molecule with strong muscle-soothing properties. What's more, this molecule is also a spasmolytic, relaxing muscle fibers and stopping painful contractions.

• Directions for use: Dilute 1 drop of lemon eucalyptus essential oil in 5 drops of one of the following essential oils vegetable oil. Apply to the cramp, 3 to 4 times a day until improvement.
• Precautions: Lemon eucalyptus essential oil should be diluted to at least 20% in a water-based oil. vegetable oil This essence is also allergenic, as it contains several allergenic molecules (limonene, citral, geraniol, linalool, citronellol, eugenol). It is advisable to perform an elbow test before regular use.

Contre-indications : The oral route is not authorized, even though it presents little danger to users. It is suitable for children aged 3 and over, as well as for pregnant women after the first trimester, but not for nursing mothers.                                                                                                                                                                 DÉCOUVRIR

Tarragon to relieve cramps

Tarragon is an aromatic plant much appreciated in French gastronomy for its slightly aniseed-like freshness. However, it is its antispasmodic effect, due to estragol, that is of interest in relieving cramps. Its essential oil is also effective for menstrual pain.

• Use: place 1 drop of essence in 4 drops ofvegetable oilthen massage the affected area. Repeat every hour until improvement.
• Cautions: As this essence contains several allergens (limonene, eugenol, linalool), it should always be used diluted for cutaneous applications.

Contraindications: Tarragon essential oil is not permitted in the event of anticoagulant treatment. It can be used on the skin from age 6 upwards, with the exception of pregnant and breast-feeding women.                                                                                          DÉCOUVRIR

Some effective synergies against cramps

Apply up to 15 drops of the mixture as soon as the cramp starts. Repeat after 30 minutes if necessary, up to 3 times a day. Observe the conditions of use for the essences concerned, as described above.

Pain-relieving massage

Massage as needed with 5 drops of the preparation up to 4 times a day.

For pregnant women

If you're pregnant, you may experience cramps at the end of your pregnancy. In this case, there are essences that can relieve pain, but perhaps less specifically for muscles.

However, they are tolerated by women over 3 months pregnant. Roman chamomile essential oil is one of these. Add it to the following synergy:

A wide range of essences are available to relieve your untimely cramps. No more unbearable pain that you don't know how to stop. Don't hesitate to consult our essential oils as well as our vegetable oils to choose the essential oil(s) best suited to your needs.