5 Essential Oils to Treat Swollen Feet & Ankles

Find your feet swelling up when you have been sitting in a chair too long? Do you suffer from swelling in your ankles after a day spent standing up? Most people suffer from swelling in their feet and ankles. It is a fairly common symptom people suffer from, it is not a disease, rather the cause of another disease entirely.

The inflammation can be caused due to pregnancy, medicines, other wounds, poor circulation of blood in the body and health conditions such as liver failure, heart failure, and heavy drinking. Other secondary reasons for swelling in feet and ankles are when the person is obese, suffers from water retention, has an infection in the leg, or suffers from a blood clot in the leg, or has recently undergone a surgery such a pelvic surgery.

There are not as many modern treatments available, however, you can always try and get treated using essential oils for swollen feet and ankles. Essential oils are pure and strong essences derived from herbs, which can be used for treating various health issues. Such treatment is safe, only if you know which essential oil should be used and what properties does it have.

5 Natural remedies for swollen feet and ankles

We have a list of 5 natural remedies for swollen feet and ankles that could help you get rid of the inflammation easily.

Chamomile Oil:

This essential oil has azulene, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is often used as a treatment for a rash caused by poison oak. It works as an antiseptic which helps to bring down the swelling and also treat insect bites. However, chamomile essential oil is quite effective in treating swelling in the feet and ankles. It also has a relaxing fragrance that you can enjoy when you massage your feet or ankles.

How to use: Apply a few drops of the oil to your feet or ankles and then massage gently till you find the swelling reduce. Another way is to mix a few drops of oil in water. Soak a cloth in the mix and apply it as a compress to the affected area.

Juniper Oil:

Another essential oil for swelling that you can use is Juniper essential oil. It is especially effective in reducing inflammation caused due to water retention in the body and if the swelling is a pre-menstrual symptom. The properties present in this oil help to reduce the water retained in the body, which helps to get rid of the inflammation in the limbs.

How to use:

Add ½ tsp of juniper essential oil to a bucket of warm water and soak your feet in it for at least 20 mins. You will find the swelling go down in a few minutes. Do make sure you don’t overuse the essential oil as it may cause skin irritation.

Lavender Oil:

Among the essential oils for swollen feet and ankles, lavender essential oil is by far the most popular treatment option. This oil is widely used in aromatherapy treatments as well as beauty treatments. A recent study found lavender oil helps in protecting against fluid build-up in the body. It is also known to rectify any imbalance caused in the body due to free radicals. Since it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties; it can definitely be applied topically on swollen feet or ankles.

How to use:

Add a few drops of lavender essential oil, a drop of lemon and geranium oil to half a bucket of warm or cold water. Use warm water if your legs are stiff. If you are pregnant or the climate is very hot, then use cold water to create the mix. Soak your feet in the bucket for 5-10 minutes. Make sure it is not more than 10 minutes to avoid any other issues.

Tea Tree Oil:

This essential oil is used widely to treat acne and dandruff as it is known to have powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it an effective treatment. Another benefit of tea tree essential oil is that it can be used as one of the natural remedies for swollen feet and ankles. A research study done by the European Histamine Society found tea tree oil is quite effective when applied topically to treat swollen feet and ankles, reducing the inflammation within a day of application.

How to use:

Mix 1-2 drops of the oil with 1 tsp coconut oil and apply it to the affected areas and gently massage, so that it gets absorbed by the skin. Use outward strokes while massaging your feet or legs. Make sure you wait for at least a day before you apply tea tree oil again.

Fennel Oil:

Fennel is one spice that is used often in our food. But did you know fennel oil can also be used as another essential oil for swelling? Yes, it is known to be quite effective in treating inflammation. However, it is often used along with other essential oils to treat swelling in the ankles and feet.

How to use:

Mix together 15 drops of cypress essential oil and 15 drops of fennel essential oil in 30 ml of evening primrose oil. Use this mixture to massage the affected area in outward strokes till it is absorbed into the skin. It helps to relieve pain and discomfort caused due to swelling and reduces inflammation as well.

We have given you a list of essential oils that can be used to treat inflammation in the feet and ankles. However, here are a few simple rules to follow to keep swelling at bay.

• Drink enough water to stay hydrated, which helps to flush out salt that can cause water retention from your body.
• Avoid restriction of blood flow to the limbs, by comfortable clothes instead of extremely tight clothes.
• Keep a check on intake of sodium rich foods, as they tend to increase swelling in the body.
• Add Epsom salt to your bath. It is a strong anti-inflammatory.

Visit Ayurveda Specialists in Bangalore and Ayurveda Hospitals in Bangalore or the city you live in immediately if swelling occurs along with other symptoms which could indicate issues with the liver, kidney or the heart. If you have fever, chest pains, breathlessness, are suffering from heart and liver issues, are pregnant or find your swollen ankles warm to touch; then it is advisable to consult a doctor before you try using essential oils for swollen feet and ankles.