Essential Oils to Soothe and Relieve Stomach Ache Discomfort

Using Aromatherapy for Soothing Stomach Ache Relief

Stomach aches and abdominal pain can have many causes, from minor indigestion to more concerning conditions like ulcers or IBS. While medical treatment may be necessary in some cases, using essential oils is an easy, complementary therapy that can help provide gentle stomach ache relief through aromatherapy.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Several essential oils have demonstrated anti-inflammatory abilities in studies. This can be beneficial when inflammation is contributing to stomach pain, such as with conditions like gastritis, ulcers, or inflammatory bowel diseases.

Oils like chamomile, ginger, and turmeric contain active compounds that reduce inflammatory signals in the body and ease swelling in tissues. Applying these oils can calm an upset stomach when inflammation is causing discomfort.

Soothing Abdominal Muscles

Sometimes stomach aches originate from cramping and tension in the abdominal muscles themselves. The pleasurable scent from aromatherapy can serve to relax the muscles around the stomach and intestines.

Oils derived from flowers like lavender, geranium, ylang ylang, and Roman chamomile have mild sedative properties that can relieve muscle cramping when their aroma is inhaled or when they are massaged onto the skin of the abdomen.

Methods for Using Essential Oils

There are several techniques for using essential oils to leverage their stomach ache and pain reduction benefits:

Inhalation

One of the fastest ways essential oils enter the system is through the nasal passages. Inhaling diffused essential oil particles stimulates olfactory nerves that signal relaxation.

Investing in an electronic diffuser allows the aroma of oils like peppermint, sweet marjoram, or sweet orange to permeate the air to calm digestive upset. Just a few deep breaths can start alleviating tension.

Topical Application

Applying diluted essential oils like ginger, black pepper, or rosemary topically onto the skin over the stomach allows their chemical constituents to absorb into underlying tissues.

Carrier oils help disseminate the compounds evenly across the skin's surface. Gentle massage then stimulates local blood circulation to aid relaxation of muscular discomfort faster.

Ingestion

Ingesting heavily diluted essential oils can deliver their therapeutic benefits directly to the digestive tract. Oils from mint, oregano, thyme or cinnamon can relieve inflammation or bloating associated with stomach pain when consumed in tiny volumes.

Only food-grade essential oils should ever be ingested in any culinary or supplement form under proper guidance on safe dilution ratios and dosing to avoid toxicity.

Best Essential Oils for Stomach Ache Relief

Many essential oils can help provide relief from upset stomachs, abdominal cramping, bloating discomfort, constipation or diarrhea. Some of the best oils to keep on hand include:

Ginger Oil

Derived from the same ginger root that has been used medicinally for millennia, ginger oil contains anti-inflammatory gingerols and analgesic zingibain that can relax stomach muscles and reduce cramping, bloating and nausea.

Peppermint Oil

One of the most versatile digestive aids with potent muscle relaxant properties, peppermint oil can ease pains from gas, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome when inhaled, applied topically or taken orally in small dilutions.

Chamomile Oil

This gentle floral oil has demonstrated antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the gut, allowing it to calm abdominal pains associated with diarrhea, ulcers, colitis and digestive dysfunction when used regularly.

Basil Oil

Soothing to intestinal tissue and helpful for relieving stomach cramps or constipation, basil oil can provide relief for mild digestive upset or inflammatory conditions like IBS via aromatherapy diffusion or gentle abdominal massage.

Clove Oil

With strong analgesic and antibacterial properties, clove oil applied dermally or orally in strict dilution can relieve stomach aches stemming from indigestion, inflammation, or infection helping to settle the gastrointestinal tract.

Fennel Oil

Known for easing digestive complaints, fennel oil can stimulate motility through the gut to resolve painful cramping from constipation or excess gas production, bringing relaxation with its sweet aromatic compounds.

Precautions When Using Essential Oils

While using essential oils aromatically or topically can provide stomach ache relief for many individuals, special care and consideration should be taken for proper and responsible use.

Dilution

Essential oils should always be diluted properly before application to the skin to prevent possible irritation and sensitivity reactions. Appropriate carrier oils used will depend on the essential oil chemistry and areas of the body being treated.

Ingestion Safety

In general, essential oils should not be taken internally without thorough understanding of safe dilution ratios and dosing so extreme care must be exercised with internal use, as toxicity can occur when misused.

Pregnancy & Medical Conditions

Topical or internal use of certain essential oils is contraindicated during pregnancy, for young children, elderly individuals or those with medical conditions. Proper usage guidance should come from an experienced aromatherapy practitioner.

When used both carefully and correctly, essential oils can be a great complementary therapy for relieving stomach and abdominal discomfort and easing digestive upsets with regular use alongside lifestyle and dietary factors for gut health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.