How Emu Oil Arthritis Creams Relieve Joint Pain
Do you suffer from joint pain?
While there are many ways to treat this condition, you may be able to use specially-blended emu oil arthritis creams to reduce pain and improve your range of motion with minimal side effects.
The term ‘arthritis’ describes over 100 different conditions which can affect your joints and connective tissue surrounding the joints.
The main symptoms are usually joint stiffness and pain in or around your joints.
Here you’ll learn more about emu oil and how you can use it in topical creams to reduce your joint and muscle pain.
The History of Cool
When we look back in the past, people have used topical skin creams and lotions to relieve pain for ages. In fact, the Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, used to treat joint pain, sprains and muscle aches by cooling the skin around the affected area.
And records dating back hundreds of years indicate that the Chinese used mint oil to cool the affected areas to relieve pain.
Maybe these ancient Asian practitioners were on to something because modern day researchers have learned that mint oil relieves pain by stopping the pain messages from reaching your brain.
Arnica Gel
Other natural treatments that you can use to reduce aches and pains include the use of Arnica, an herbal plant remedy traditionally used for bruises, sprains and joint pain associated with inflammation.
Here’s a tube of Arnica gel I had recently bought to treat a mild sprained elbow from working out at the gym. It was the first time I had tried a natural pain cream and I actually found it was pretty effective at reducing the pain.
The Real Story behind Using Emu Oil for Joint Pain
Did you know that the ingredients in emu oil have proven anti-inflammatory properties?
Researchers have learned that it may actually penetrate deep into the skin which could help reduce inflammatory joint pain and muscle aches.
The best creams for drug-free pain relief should have the following properties:
- Deep penetrating.
- Use a high quality emu oil.
- May include heat or cold-inducing ingredients.
- Preferably odor-free.
- Improve circulation in the affected area.
- Improve joint flexibility and range of motion.
- High potency, fast-acting and long-lasting effects.
What Ingredients are in Emu Oil Arthritis Creams?
During the research for this article, we found that the majority of effective creams or lotions will contain a blend of specific active ingredients for relieving pain and aches.
Here’s a list of ingredients that may be used in a basic Emu Oil Arthritis Cream:
Emu oil – emu oil studies show it can penetrate the dermis, is anti-inflammatory and helps promotes skin healing.
Mint Oil – was used in ancient Chinese medicine to treat muscle and joint pain. It has also been shown in studies to help your body block pain messages from reaching your brain which will help provide some amount of pain relief.
Arnica – an herbal plant that’s also called Wolfsbane. It’s a yellow flower and is actually a member of the daisy family. Arnica is a popular herbal treatment used for bruises, sprains and tissue swelling.
Menthol – menthol is commonly found in peppermint oil. It’s frequently used in topical applications for relieving any type of muscle aches and sprains. Menthol help promote a ‘cool and icy’ feeling when it’s applied to the skin. You can actually find menthol in Vicks Vapor Rub.
Camphor – camphor was historically farmed from the Camphor trees in India. It’s easily absorbed through the skin and it produces a cooling sensation similar to menthol. It’s believed that this cooling sensation acts like an anesthetic, which may help decrease your sensation of pain.
Methyl Salicylate – this is actually a mixture of menthol and salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is from the Willow Bark tree, which is a natural form of Aspirin. Methyl Salicylate is frequently found in muscle rubs. Methyl Salicylate can be toxic of large amounts are absorbed through the skin or ingested.
Diclofenac – this is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s usually available over the counter at most pharmacies, but you may need a Doctor’s prescription for it; depending on where you live.
Other ingredients found in emu oil arthritis creams may include glucosamine, vitamin E, chondroitin sulfates, collagens, vitamin C, aloe vera, and witch hazel.
The Wonders of MSM and Emu Oil
Another ingredient you may find in many arthritis creams is a substance called Methylsulfonylmethane; also known as MSM.
So what exactly is MSM?
MSM occurs naturally in plants and some foods. It’s an organic sulfur compound similar in chemical structure to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
DMSO is actually a special substance used to help specific ingredients get absorbed more easily through the skin.
Studies show MSM also promotes cellular detoxification by increasing the amount of water and nutrients flowing through cells.
Scientists believe this ‘cell-through’ action could help increase cellular hydration and may even promote cellular healing. And some researchers have even suggested that MSM has anti-inflammatory powers.
So if we combine these properties of MSM with emu oil, it may help make an even more effective lotion or cream due to the enhanced penetrative action of the MSM.
Conclusions:
Based on the type of ingredients used in these types of products, the best arthritis creams should include emu oil, MSM, mint oil, menthol, camphor, arnica and Diclofenac for maximum joint pain relief.
This combination of ingredients would give you an anesthetic cream that fights inflammation, reduces swelling and blocks pain messages from reaching the brain.
Using an emu oil arthritis cream is an effective, drug-free method of reducing the pain and symptoms of certain types of joint pain.
Other natural ways you may be able to reduce joint pain is by using fish oil for arthritis.
There are also studies showing that using cod liver oil for joint pain can help reduce inflammation and improve range of motion.
Where can You Get Emu Oil Arthritis Creams?
The best place to find these types of specialty creams or rubs is at your local natural health store.
You should be able to find at least a few products that contain some of the above ingredients.
White Flower Analgesic Balm
A popular product found in many local Asian grocery stores is called White Flower Analgesic Balm.
This product contains menthol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptus oil, mint oil and camphor – ingredients that have been reported to naturally help relieve pain and swelling.
It’s recommended to massage the affected area with emu oil before adding a few drops of White Flower to enhance absorption.
Another great place you could find emu oil arthritis creams is at online retailers.
You can find a wide variety of arthritis creams
Research References:
The anti-inflammatory activity of L-menthol compared to mint oil in human monocytes in vitro: a novel perspective for its therapeutic use in inflammatory diseases.Juergens UR, Stöber M, Vetter H. European Journal of Medical Research. 1998 Dec 16;3(12):539-45.
Studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of phytopharmaceuticals prepared from Arnica flowers.Klaas CA, Wagner G, Laufer S et al. Plantation Medica 2002 May;68(5):385-91
Superior efficacy of an Arnica montana fresh plant preparation in inhibiting the transcription factor NF-kB. Garcia-Pineres AJ, Suter A, Weber M etal. Bioforce Reasearch (Poster). Phytotherapy Research Conference, Glasgow, 2002
Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A.Advance Therapeutics 2002 Sep-Oct;19(5):209-18
Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;
Natural occurring levels of dimethyl sulfoxide in selected fruits, vegetables, grains and beverages. Pearson TW, Dawson HJ, Lackey HB. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 1981;29:1019–21.
Randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of oral glucosamine, methylsulfonylmethane and their combination in osteoarthritis. Usha PR, Naidu MUR.Clinical Drug Investigations 2004;24(6):353–63.
Emu oil(s): A source of non-toxic transdermal anti-inflammatory agents in aboriginal medicine. Whitehouse MW, Turner AG, Davis CK, Roberts MS. Department of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland. Inflammopharmacology. 1998;6(1):1-8
Anti-inflammatory activity and healing-promoting effects of topical application of emu oil on wound in scalded rats Qiu XW, Wang JH, Fang XW, Gong ZY, Li ZQ, Yi ZH. Department of Burns, Nangfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005 Apr;25(4):407-10
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