Gaye Levy
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Once you move beyond the basic, everyday essential oils that we all know and love, it becomes time to explore some of the more esoteric oils that solve specific ailments. In my own exploration of essential oils, a specific ailment high on my list was relief from muscle and joint pain.
The oil of choice? Birch essential oil for arthritis and other aches and pains of the muscles and joints is perfect!
Not only is Birch effective against common, everyday aches and pains, but it is superior if not outstanding in providing relief from arthritis joint pain and those deep, spasmodic cramps that only seem to visit in the dead of night.
What is Birch Oil?
Not surprisingly, Birch essential oil comes from the bark of birch trees. The scientific name is Betula Lenta and sometimes the oil is referred to as Sweet Birch Oil.
Pure, unadulterated birch oil, while not rare, can be difficult to find. That said, it is not an expensive oil relatively speaking. What makes it special is that 100% pure Birch essential oil contains both salicylic acid and methyl salicylate. Both have a cortisone-like quality that reduces discomfort in the muscles, bones, and joints and in addition, are recognized as germicides and bactericides in the world of medicine.
Whereas Birch essential oil is an effective anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, disinfectant, astringent, and diuretic, it really shines in its use to combat muscle and joint pain. Bar none, Birch is the oil you want to use to relieve the pain of arthritis, tendonitis, gout, and severe muscle cramping.
How to Use Birch Oil to Fight Arthritis, Muscle and Joint Pain
In my own household, we use Birch essential oil blended synergistically with both Geranium and Lemongrass oils. We came up with this formula by trial and error and although it uses other oils, we still fondly refer to it as “The Birch”.
We use “The Birch” in two ways: as a topical, roller-ball application diluted with fractionated coconut oil, and also as a heavy duty pain-relieving salve. According to Shelly, who is also known as the Survival Husband, the back to back use of both the roller ball and the salve, morning and night, has made the arthritis in his hands bearable.
Here is what he has to say:
“Before using the essential oils Gaye made up for me, I has so much arthritis pain in my right hand that at times my hand was non-functional. After using the EO blends morning and night for five months, my arthritis pain has almost disappeared.
I can ride my Harley play golf, do my chores, and simply get through the day with minimal discomfort.”
Replicating the formula I made for Shelly is easy. Here are my two “arthritis busting” recipes. That is what I call them although, of course, they are used for other aches and pains as well.
Arthritis Busting Roller Ball Formula
6 drops Birch Essential Oil
6 drops Geranium Essential Oil
6 drops Lemongrass Essential OilAdd the oils to a 5ml roller ball bottle. Top with enough fractionated coconut oil (FCO) to fill the bottle. If you are using a 10ml roller ball bottle, just fill half way. (I find that the 10ml size is more common.)
Arthritis Busting Salve
30 drops Birch Essential Oil
30 drops Geranium Essential Oil
30 drops Lemongrass Essential OilAdd the oils to a 1 ounce jar (I use both these and these). Top with either Plain “Simple” Salve or DIY Miracle Healing Salve and mix well with a small stick (I use a coffee stir stick). Use twice daily or as needed.
A Word of Caution
Birch essential oil is a strong oil and if used undiluted, may cause irritation. In addition, Birch should be avoided by those who use blood thinners, have epilepsy, or women who may be pregnant.
If you do use blood thinners, I suggest substituting the birch essential oil with additional drops of lemongrass oil. While not quite as effective as Birch, Lemongrass EO is an amazing pain reliever in it’s own right. It is also a very inexpensive oil.
About Essential Oils
After a significant amount of research, for health, first-aid, and wellness purposes I use essential oils from Spark Naturals. There are a lot reasons, the most important being their commitment to both quality and value. I am satisfied that the raw materials used in Spark Naturals products are tested and authenticated to be of pharmaceutical grade purity.
If you decide to make a purchase from Spark Naturals, please know that you will enjoy a 10% discount on your order when you use the code BACKDOORSURVIVAL at checkout. (Note: I do receive a small commission on your purchase and for that I extremely appreciative.)
The Final Word
As I have mentioned, we call our Arthritis Busting formulas, “The Birch”. In reality, the title of this article could have been “Using Essential Oils for Joint and Muscle Pain”. Still, with Birch essential oil being a key component, I wanted to introduce the oil to you along with some of its beneficial properties so that you can explore more uses on your own.
Personally, I love using all three of the oils in “The Birch” and even though I do not have arthritis myself, I find the formula useful for breaking down those knots of stress that appear on my neck and on my shoulders. And for cramping hands and toes? Nothing beats “The Birch” aka the Arthritis Busting formula.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Below you will find the items related to today’s article.
Spark Naturals: Here are the oils used in the arthritis-busting formulas. What can I say? They work!
Birch Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Geranium Essential Oil
NOW Foods Essential Oils : I use essential oils from Spark Naturals. For healing purposes, I feel they are superior. On the other hand, NOW Foods has decent essential oils at a budget price.
Aromatherapy Glass Roll On Bottles, Frost Cobalt Blue-Set of 6: You are going to want some of these for your oils. I put essential oils (singly or in combination) in a roller ball with a bit of fractionated coconut oil and use it to apply EOs topically. I have never had a leak with these and keep returned to purchase more.
White Plastic Jar with Lid 1 Oz (10 per bag): I love the size if these compact jars. They are really inexpensive and shipping in free. But, as much as I love these, I love these glass jars better!
Coconut (Fractionated) Carrier Oil: Once you start using coconut oil, you will be hooked. This is the liquid form of Coconut Oil, also referred to as FCO. I have been very satisfied with this brand as well as the FCO from Spark Naturals.
Glass Droppers, Pack of 6: I bought a package of these and loved them. When I went to re-order, I accidentally ordered plastic instead glass droppers. Learn from my mistake. The price is the same go get the glass ones.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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56 Responses to “Birch Essential Oil for Arthritis, Muscle and Joint Pain”
Thanks for adding the info about the salve. I’ve been trying the roller formula on my hip a couple times a day, but it hasn’t helped much. I’m going to try the combo of the roller and the salve.
I take one 81 mg aspirin a day. I have Birch but am now wondering if I should avoid using it topically. Please let me know. Thank you!
You should be fine. Shelly was using birch while he WAS on blood thinners (Plavix) and had no issues. He was and is also taking one aspirin a day.
Note, though, I am not a health care professional so use your own judgement.
I’m lucky in that I have a doctor who “thinks outside the box”. So when I have a question like that I ask him. If he doesn’t know the answer, he usually knows where to send me to find it. That kind of doctor is hard to find.
Gaye, did you pick up the Healthy Living Bundle last month? One of the e-books called ‘The Essentials of Essential Oils’ is a good read for beginners. A good place to start.
Yes I did. I have not had time to even look at any of the books, but just this morning, Shelly and decided to start the EO course together tonight. The bundle was really a good one.
I also plan on getting the DIY bundle when it goes on sale; mostly for the photography courses that will help me with blog photos but also because being more “crafty” will help keep me amused if the SHTF. I am already starting to gather craft and DIY materials.
//www.herbs-info.com/essential-oils/essential-oils.html , have you visited this site. In depth info on each EOs. They only have info for 39 but they will be adding
Gaye: What is the Healthy Living Bundle? Is this something you blogged about and I missed? Or is it something from a website I don’t know about? Please let me know. Thank you, Peggy.
It is a really cool bundle that I was promoting late last year. It is not longer for sale.
On the other hand, the DIY bundle goes on sale on the 21st but I have a pre-announcement in the Buzz.
//www.backdoorsurvival.com/survival-buzz-2015-01-17/
Here is a link to the free mini-course: //4stepcreativity.com?ref=223fdb4fc2
Gaye,
Just this morning on GMA, they were touting Birch Water as the next big thing. Your article is so timely, I’m looking for something for my 54 year old arthritic joints.
I knew you could make Birch Oil to varnish wood, but I had no idea it had other uses.
Thanks Muchly
I can emphasize with your Survival Husband. I injured my hands years ago. Now it is so hard to do my hobbies and to write anything. For some reason, using the computer keyboard is a viable option, as they do not tire as quickly as at other times. I am definitely ordering these items and will be following your formulas.
PS: How long did it take you to know how much to tip the bottle to have the drops come out slowly enough to count? I am still struggling with nothing coming out or coming out too fast. Oh well, everything in life is a learning process.
You definitely need to invest in some droppers. You can get a pack of 5 for just a few dollars from Spark Naturals. You remove the orifice that comes with the EOs and screw the dropper to the bottle.
Or, you can get droppers from your pharmacy, craft store, or Amazon. I would have to check, but at Amazon they are under $5 for 6. Just be careful you do not forget that the orifice/original dropper is missing. I did that once and poured out half a bottle of peppermint oil before I realized what had happened.
Kelly’s Crafts: Glass Stain Droppers, Pack of 6
Sparks sends the Birch oil with a “child proof’ cap on it. Birch oil is a poison and it should never be ingested.It is a hot oil. It is very sweet smelling and will attract animals and children so keep the original cap on it if you have either one of those.
I believe that going forward, all of the oils from Spark Naturals will have childproof caps.
Gaye:
Thank you for that tip. When I ordered from Spark Naturals and Amazon through the links on your site, I did order a six pack of the droppers. Now waiting for everything to arrive.
I am very careful about all items in my house, even though I do not have any children. But do have nieces and nephews with children. My medications, spices, cleaning supplies, even toothpaste, are put beyond their reach (even the 2 year old climbers). And I also keep an eye on them when they visit. Prevention is the best resource for keeping them safe.
Again, thank you for all the tips you give us. Am even going back through the archives and reading the old articles. Hey, why not, they are NEW to me though OLD to those who have been with you and your blog through the year.
Peggy
I don’t know why it did this to me…The first comment I posted never showed up, I kept waiting and refreshing the page and I finally decided it didn’t take and re wrote it. Now both show up…ugh! technology has really been yanking me around lately.
Hey Learner, modern technology yea…my sister was a tech support for a veterinarian program. We decided all computers need to come with Miss Clairol, a script for Valium, and a bottle of Tums!
I have had great success trying some of the other EO fixes that you wrote about in previous articles and now this is definitely the next one on my to try list.
I have had great success trying out some of your EO fixes from previous articles and this one is definitely next on my list to try!
Hi Ms. Gaye~
I am so glad that you wrote this post! I have also been experimenting using Birch and Lemongrass. I hadn’t quite got my numbers down yet, so this will definitely give me the guidance I need! Yay! 🙂
This stuff really works. Please report back on your progress.
Hi Gaye,
Does the coconut oil in the arthritis formula solidify and then not move toward the ball of the roller ball bottle? I’m thinking maybe just olive oil as a carrier ?
I use fractionated coconut oil (FCO) which is treated so that it is stable in liquid form. Standard coconut oil would not work in a roller ball bottle because, as you say, it will solidify.
Certainly, you could use olive oil, sweet almond oil or any carrier oil in liquid form. I favor coconut oil because it has great healing qualities of its own and a long shelf life.
You can go 60-40 olive oil & regular coconut oil. You get the benefits of both, the coconut oil won’t solidify in that ratio, and you save money versus FCO, which is about 3-4 times the cost by weight of the regular organic, cold press, coconut oil i buy. Where I live, at least. Thank you for the recipe, it works really well.