3 Essential Oils For Runners
We are all aware of the amazing health benefits of running regularly. Who would pass on stronger legs, much needed stress relief, a stronger immune system, and a robust runner’s bod?
Well, the truth is, a lot of people would.
Running can and will improve your overall well-being, but it has a rather ugly side to it. Aside from the initial struggle to control your breath and a pesky blister or two, running can start to take a toll on your knees and joints, especially in your later years.
You may also go through periods of low mood where you just don’t feel like going out and running, and if this goes on too long, your fitness level will fall and you’ll essentially have to start from scratch.
These are just two of the things that essential oils can help you to overcome so you can be the best version of yourself. The essential oils listed below are not only affordable, but easy to find as well, and they all have a bunch of applications for runners.
1. Peppermint Oil
Over the past few years, many athletes have caught on to peppermint oil’s ability to boost energy levels and improve exercise performance. This has even been corroborated by a study by the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, where volunteers who ingested peppermint essential oil did better on several athletics tasks at the 5 and 60 minute marks, compared to their original results. Their breathing also improved significantly (1).
Add a drop or two of peppermint oil to a glass of water and test your limits.
If you look around a pharmacy, you will find that this powerful herb is often used in many muscle rubs. This is because peppermint has been known to relieve both minor aches and pains, as well as those brought on by more serious illnesses, such as arthritis and carpal tunnel!
To ease pains, combine a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba or olive oil and massage into the problem area.
Let’s also not forget about those “nervous runners”. If you are one to develop nausea, take a quick whiff from your bottle of peppermint essential oil to relieve your discomforts. It is so effective it has worked for patients after cardiac surgery (2).
2. Melaleuca Oil (Tea Tree Oil)
Though Melaleuca oil boasts its own list of health benefits, it doesn’t shine through quite like peppermint when it comes to runners.
The benefit that this oil offers to runners is that it helps to tackle athlete’s foot. Now, this isn’t a big deal to some, but many runners search endlessly for reliable remedies for this condition and tea tree oil is the perfect solution.
Its antibacterial and antifungal properties have been proven to be effective at killing (or significantly reducing) the microorganisms that cause athlete’s foot (3).
3. Lavender
For runners, lavender can help combat that insomnia the night before a big run. The sedative properties of this essential oil will allow you to get QUALITY sleep and be fully rested so your muscles can perform optimally in the morning.
After the run, lavender oil’s analgesic properties will be right there to soothe the inflammation you may experience after a job well done.
Final Word On Essential Oils For Runners
Essential oils are a quick, natural fix for everyday issues faced in a runner’s journey. Whether it’s physical pain, insomnia, mental fatigue or smelly feet, one of these essential oils can help you to to become better in the sport we all love.