5 Best Essential Oils For Sprained Ankle And Swelling

*This page may contain affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Essential oils: when you hear them, you think of relaxing music, soft candles, a divine fragrance, and a soothing bath.

Surely these are naturopathic healers, but these are more and beyond just offering relaxation.

Today all-natural essential oils are used for various purposes.

However, most of the time it is used for healing several health problems like:

allergies,
skin problems,
headaches,
respiratory problems,
swelling, etc.

Besides the above health conditions, aromatherapy essential oils are also widely used and recommended for treating physical conditions such as sprained ankles.

Some of the common causes of ankle and foot swelling are pregnancy, obesity, PMS, congestive heart failure, Achilles’ tendonitis, osteoarthritis, walking for long distances, cirrhosis, etc.

Studies showed that using organic essential oils can not only provide relaxation to the sprained ankle but also to the whole body after a whole lot of work and stressed condition.

5 Best Essential Oils For Sprained Ankle

Sprained ankles and swollen feet are the most common sports injury and problems that can be completely cured using essential oils.

These oils can work wonders in returning your sprained and swollen ankles to a normal state.

If you are wondering about which ones to use for your foot and ankle problems, here are the 5 best options you can check for:

1- Chamomile Oil

Chamomile oil has a potential element named “Azulene” which has anti-inflammatory properties.

It acts as a disinfectant that reduces swelling followed by expulsion in case if you are suffering from insect bites.

Apply one or two drops of chamomile essential oil on the affected area of your sore ankle and massage gently; letting the oil penetrate into the skin.

Additionally; you can also mix few drops of the oil in warm water and soak it in for a few minutes. Moreover; you can use the cloth as a hot compress on the affected area.

Direction For Chamomile Oil Massage

You will need to fill a medium-sized bucket or a tub and fill it with warm water
Now add about 5 to 10 drops of chamomile oil
Dip your feet for ten minutes or as long as the water stays warm
Repeat this procedure at least 3 times daily

2- Wintergreen Oil

Wintergreen is not a known name, yet an effective essential oil when it comes to curing your swelling and relaxing sore feet and ankles.

It is an amazing pain reliever that is widely known for treating several health issues like headaches, painful ankles, muscle pain, etc.

Direction To Use Wintergreen Oil Massage

You need to fill a medium-size or a small-sized bucket with warm water
Now add few drops of wintergreen essential oil to it
The oil has got strong properties hence; make sure that you use it in a limited quantity
You can also dilute it with other essential oils like Cypress, Lemongrass, Lavender, or Geranium oil for effective results
Dip your feet within about 10 minutes or you can prolong the session till the water is warm
Repeat this process at least thrice a day

Further tips:

If you are suffering from swollen ankles problems often; you can put stones and small pebbles at the bottom of your bucket or tub. Ensure that they do not have sharp edges. Rubbing onto them gives added relaxation
Do not do get into this session if you are already suffering from swollen feet as it could worsen the pain
Dry your feet afterward, and also you can rub some oil on the affected area for better and quick relief

3- Juniper Oil

You can apply Juniper essential oil to reduce body swelling which has caused due to a premenstrual symptom or water retention in the body.

The oil has potential natural ingredients to extract fluid from the skin. It is the most remedial oil available to cure swelling problems.

Direction to Use Juniper Oil

Fill your bucket with water and add half a teaspoon of oil, dip your feet into the water for about 15 to 20 minutes. You will instantly notice the swelling going away within a few minutes.

If you have no time in your hand to have a foot bath; and need immediate relief, massage this oil on the painful areas and you can see the swelling reducing.

You can also dilute this oil with other oils to get maximum health benefits.

Few further tips:

After massaging your affected area with essential oil, it is beneficial if you can apply a hot compress to your swollen feet and bruised ankles quick improvement
You can also use a cold compress to ease extreme pain

4- Lavender Oil

Lavender essential oil is the most versatile to use. Widely known for curing various health problems; it is widely used for various beauty treatments as well.

Lavender oil is one of the popular essential oil and can be easily found in stores.

Direction to Use Lavender Oil

Take a wide vessel or bucket and fill it with warm or cold water and add few drops of lavender essential oil to soak your feet within.

You will see that your swelling has reduced and if you are suffering from a sprained ankle that too has minimized the pain.

Don’t use warm water in case you are pregnant or if the climate is very hot. Mix 2 drops of lavender oil, 1 drop of lemon oil, and 1 drop of geranium oil.

Let your leg, twisted ankle, or feet relax in the water for about 10 minutes. Do not keep your feet for more than 10 minutes.

5- Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is extensively used to prepared anti-acne or anti-dandruff products. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties which make it highly effective against dandruff and acne.

Tea tree oil can also be used to treat the swelling of the rolled ankle. You can apply this oil directly to the skin; unlike others, it doesn’t require mixing it with other oils.

Direction to Use Tea Tree Oil

Take few drops of tea tree essential oil in your palm and massage on the affected area.

Make outward strokes towards the knees to disperse the fluid. Massage this way 2 times a day to witness a speedy recovery from swelling.

Are Essential Oils Safe to Put on Your Skin?

Although most of them are, when you are using them topically for reliving conditions like sprain and swelling, you should be using them with care.

As there are some oils that can cause phototoxicity if applied before exposure to the sun, it is good to avoid them and not use them, particularly when you are in the field.

Also, there are a few oils that can even be poisonous if absorbed directly through the skin. Do proper research and avoid them at any cost.

All in all, it is good to know how you will be using them beforehand as if you administer them improperly it may end up causing rashes or other side effects on your skin.

Why Should You Put Essential Oil on Your Feet?

Your feet are considered as a spiritual link to the earth and need special care. Though it is not good a scientific point to prove, sometimes it is not just about proves and figures.

From the past time, your feet have been marked as an important part of your body for spiritual practices.

This is because your feet are connected to Earth. They root you to the biosphere and take and give energies to Mother Earth.

So, what better place you need to apply essential oils other than your feet?

Besides the above, here are a few other reasons to use essential oils on your feet:

✅ It makes the essential oils work quicker and more effectively

The pores on your feet soles are larger in comparison to the other parts of your body.

It means it works like an XL size straw to suck up health nourishing compounds of the oil and to easily put them in the bloodstream.

✅ The skin of your feet sole is less sensitive

The skin of the soles of your bottom feet is less sensitive.

It means that a lot of people who may experience inflammation or irritation with the application of essential oil on any other body part often don’t have any problem when it is applied on their feet.

As your soles are lesser sensitive, it means you can apply the essential oil in undiluted form. It is also a good place to use hot oils like peppermint.

✅ Soles of your feet do not have sebaceous glands

Apart from your hand palms, your feet soles are the only body parts that don’t have sebaceous glands. These glands secrete sebum which works as a barrier.

This is why; it works as an impediment to the oils which you wish to absorb into your body. The lack of sebum on your soles makes it the best place for the application of essential oils

As per the traditional reflexology practice, every nerve line of your body finishes on your feet. The reflexology specialists suggest that specific arrears of your feet interact with your body organs.

Thus, when you apply essential oils to your feet, chances are that the oils will have a higher and stronger impact on specific parts of your body.

Which Is The Best Essential Oil Brand to Choose?

Although all these essential oils for ankle edema or injury are widely available at online stores, it is often confusing to choose among the wide variety of brands available.

As there are numerous new and unknown brands sprouting in the market, researching and buying the best branded essential oil is important so that you can get the most needed therapeutic benefits out of it in the safest manner.

dōTERRA essential oils for sprained ankles are most of the time recommended by experts as they sell the best natural oils that are gently and carefully distilled from plants and are safe to use for all.

Each doTERRA essential oil they manufacture is carefully and thoroughly tested using the strict CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® quality protocol to ensure that you get only the best genuine quality you deserve.

You can consider buying from various options like doterra enrollment kits, doterra home essentials kit, doterra natural solutions kit, doterra family wellness kit, doterra family physician kit, etc.

For What Other Sports Injuries Can I Use Essential Oils?

Athletes, trainers, and sports enthusiasts are using essential oils for relieving various sports injuries for decades.

If you are into sports like gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, and others there are instances you may need them.

The most common sports injuries for which you can use the essential oils are:

Groin pull
Shin splints
Hamstring strain
ACL tear (knee injury)
Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Patellofemoral syndrome (runner’s knee)

Overall, all the above-mentioned essential oils help to reduce swelling, alleviate pain and soothe swollen body parts.

But if the swelling persists or occurs frequently you should consult your doctor immediately.

However; before buying these essential oils it is important that you understand the benefit of it as each one has its uniqueness within, to cure the health problems.

Incoming search terms: