Essential oils work wonders for people suffering from facial weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.
If you feel numbness, tingly sensation, or pain while touching a part of your face, or if you have been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, it’s time to look for some conventional remedies like using essential oils.
Essential oils are derived from plants and can help you manage Bell’s Palsy symptoms.
What Is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s Palsy is a facial disorder characterized by drooping on one side of the face. It is caused by sudden paralysis in the muscles of the face, giving the appearance of a lop-sided face.
It is also called acute peripheral facial Palsy. Generally, it affects only one side of the face at a time, wherein smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing.
According to research, 15 out of 100,000 people are diagnosed with facial Palsy every year. It can occur at any age.
Most of the time, Bell’s Palsy gets better by itself. However, traditional remedies like essential oils speed up the recovery and reduce the pain.(1)
Best Essential Oils For Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s Palsy could be painful and uncomfortable depending upon the severity of the condition. In such conditions, essential oils can provide huge relief. Although no conclusive medical data supports the effectiveness of essential oils for Bell’s Palsy, people have experienced relief with their use.
1. LAVENDER OIL
Lavender oil is derived from the flower Lavendula Angustifolia. It is commonly used in aromatherapy to get relief from stress and anxiety. Apart from its anxiety-relieving characteristics, it is also beneficial for pain due to nervous disorders and reduces inflammation.(2)
How To Use Lavender Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix 3-4 drops of lavender oil with 3-4 drops of coconut oil (carrier oil) and massage gently on the face and neck.
- Put stress on the affected areas.
- Repeat thrice daily for faster results.
2. PEPPERMINT OIL
You must have enjoyed peppermint as a flavor in chewing gums and beverages. Besides giving a refreshing flavor, peppermint oil also accelerates healing from Bell’s Palsy as it consists of methanol.
The antispasmodic components of peppermint oil comfort the nerves of the face and relieve symptoms of Bell’s Palsy.(3)
How To Use Peppermint Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with coconut oil and rub gently on the affected areas.
- Repeat the process twice or thrice a day for better results.
3. ROSEMARY OIL
Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, and pain-relieving properties components that positively affect the nervous system and brain. It also relieves the pain due to facial paralysis and hastens the healing process.
If the pain and discomfort are recurring, a rosemary oil massage is a perfect solution.(4)
How To Use Rosemary Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix 5-6 drops of rosemary oil with the same amount of coconut oil.
- Massage gently on the affected areas for at least 5 minutes.
4. HELICHRYSUM OIL
Helichrysum oil reduces the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy considerably. It reduces pain and inflammation of facial muscles. At the same time, it also speeds up healing from skin bruising.
The stimulating properties of Helichrysum oil on the nervous system have been found to be beneficial in hysteria and paralysis.(5)
How To Use Helichrysum Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix 3-4 drops of Helichrysum oil with an equal amount of any carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil.
- Massage on the face and neck, putting stress on the affected areas.
5. FRANKINCENSE OIL
The strong anti-inflammatory properties of Frankincense oil make it a potent essential oil for managing discomfort and pain due to Bell’s Palsy. It is highly useful in treating facial paralysis.(3)
How To Use Frankincense Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix an equal amount of Frankincense oil and carrier oil.
- Rub gently on the face and neck for 2-3 minutes.
- You can repeat this process twice daily to hasten the healing process and improve the symptoms.
6. SWEET MARJORAM
The anti-viral properties of Sweet Marjoram, helping in all sorts of viral activities, make it one potent oil for Bell’s Palsy. It sedates pain and reduces inflammation as well.(6)
How To Use Sweet Marjoram Oil For Bell’s Palsy?
- Mix 3-4 drops of Sweet Marjoram oil with the same amount of any carrier oil.
- Apply it gently over the face, especially on the affected areas.
Final Words
Essential oils work wonders and can be added to your arsenals of home remedies for Bell’s Palsy. Even though we all know how effective essential oils are for multiple health issues, there is very little research on their effectiveness, especially in the case of Bell’s Palsy.
Therefore, if you are suffering from Bell’s Palsy, it is advised to contact your doctor before using any essential oil.
While most cases of Bell’s Palsy heal by themselves, the best to manage this facial disorder is to relax and give time for your nerves to heal from the inflammation. Taking extra care and massaging gently with essential oils can enhance the healing.
Scientific Evidence:
- Bell’s Palsy: Diagnosis and Management: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/1001/
- Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
- Case Study of Bell’s palsy applying complementary treatment within an occupational therapy model: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/oti.267
- Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7491497/
- Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
- Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils Possessing Anti-Influenza A/WS/33 Virus Activity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6296812/
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