How to Use Essential Oils for Your Plantar Fasciitis? Instructions and Buying Guide
EmpowerYourRun may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more
I've talked a lot about plantar fasciitis and various ways to treat.
You should already know what its symptoms are, how to recognize it and which are the most commonly recommended therapy options.
You are well aware that prevention is the key.
However, there are also some alternative ways that you can consider and combine with all of the other treatments for plantar fasciitis that you already use.
Including essential oils in your daily feet care routine can benefit your condition.
Today, I will tell you how they work, how you can use them and which oils you should choose.
Top 7 Essential Oils for Plantar Fasciitis on the Market – 2021 Reviews
Source: Amazon.com
Handcraft Lavender Essential Oil
If you want a pure, natural, handcrafted, therapeutic grade essential oil that is FDA approved, you can always count on the Handcraft Blends.
Their lavender oil is tested by an independent lab to determine there are no fillers or additives.
It comes in a high quality 4 oz glass bottle that keeps UV rays out.
The manufacturer recommends you to mix lavender with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Clove, Geranium, Lemon, Helichrysum, Neroli, Rose and Rosemary, Patchouli, Sandalwood or Vetiver for optimal results.
This lavender essential oil can work wonders for your plantar fasciitis.
It is relaxing, and it will help you treat burns, prevent lice and repel various bugs.
The packaging is practical as it comes with a long glass dropper.
No more accidental over-pouring in your diffuser.
However, you will notice that in comparison to other brands, this lavender oil is not very potent.
It leaves stains on your clothes and has an odd after smell.
- You can also use it as a bug repellent and to prevent getting lice
- It is excellent for treating burns and relaxing for your feet
- The amount you get for the price is impressive
- It comes with a long glass dropper
- The blend is handcrafted
- The scent could be a bit stronger
- It could stain your clothes
- Your skin might be irritated if you apply it directly
- It might have an odd after smell
Source: Amazon.com
Edens Garden Ginger Essential Oil
Scientific research indicates that ginger essential oil has numerous health-promoting properties.
The one that comes from Eden’s Garden is packed in a glass amber bottle and comes with a pipette dropper to help you find the right dosage for yourself.
The product is GC and MS certified and the manufacturer offers four different sizes you can choose between - 5 mL, 10 mL, 30 mL, and 120 mL.
Ginger oil can be quite useful for various feet problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions.
It will alleviate your pain after first use.
It offers many medicinal benefits, and you can learn more about them in a booklet that comes with a product.
The drops come out of pipette nicely, and the oil has a quite potent aroma.
Still, it doesn't smell like fresh ginger and has a turpentine undertone, which might irritate your nostrils.
Also, it doesn't mix very well with water, so be careful how you use it.
- It is quite effective for plantar fasciitis and bunions
- It comes with a booklet about different oils and their uses
- The drops come out nicely, not too fast
- It has a potent smell, and you can even use it in cooking
- The ginger oil will work great in your diffuser and for medicinal uses
- It doesn't smell like fresh ginger
- It doesn't mix very well with water
- The smell changes after only a few days
- It has a turpentine undertone, which might be irritating
Source: Amazon.com
Edens Garden Turmeric Essential Oil
Here's another fantastic oil from Eden's Garden – turmeric essential oil.
It will provide you with warm and calming support to help you reduce acute and chronic pain.
Just like the previous one, this product is GC and MS certified, therapeutic grade and available in four different sizes.
The oils are stored in a temperature sensitive room with minimal light, which means they are as fresh as possible once they arrive at your doorstep.
Turmeric is famous for its inflammation and pain combating properties, which means it can be beneficial for people with plantar fasciitis.
This essential oil diffuses well and doesn't leave discoloration on the skin.
It is potent, and you can mix it with many different carrier oils.
At last, the price is fantastic for such a high-quality oil.
Regarding turmeric oil downsides, you should know that it is yellow and it will probably stain your clothes.
Also, it doesn't have a delightful smell, like a curry.
However, you still shouldn't use it in the kitchen.
- It is efficient for combating inflammation and as a pain reliever
- It diffuses well
- It doesn't leave discoloration marks on your skin
- The oil is potent and works well with different carrier oils
- The price is incredible for a therapeutic grade oil
- It is yellow, and it will stain your clothes
- It has a scent similar to curry
- The smell is so strong; you should avoid using it around other people
- You shouldn't use it in the kitchen
Source: Amazon.com
Maple Holistics Pure Grapeseed Oil
Maple Holistic swears by their pure, cold-pressed grapeseed oil and if you are not 100% satisfied with it, they offer the full no-questions-asked refund.
It contains no fillers or any other impurities, which means its antioxidant properties can provide you with the best possible effectiveness.
You can use it as a massage oil or skin moisturizer.
This light essential oil will do miracles for your skin, whether you use it on your feet or your face.
It is quick absorbing and not greasy, which makes it easier to apply. All you need is a few drops, and the healing can start.
You can use it as a carrier oil as well, and mix it with other oils that are beneficial for plantar fasciitis.
However, this grapeseed oil comes in a plastic bottle, which makes its quality a bit questionable.
The packaging might leak no matter how tight you close it and it could cause allergic reactions.
- It is quick absorbing and not greasy
- It does miracles for your skin
- A small amount of oil goes a long way
- It serves great as a carrier oil
- It also works well for baby massages
- The essential oil comes in a plastic bottle
- The packaging leaks no matter how tight you close it
- You might have an allergic reaction to it
- It will discolor fabrics
Source: Amazon.com
NOW Marjoram Essential Oil
Marjoram essential oil from NOW Solutions is steam-distilled from the flowers and leaves of Thymus mastichina.
It is 100% pure and natural and most commonly used for its magnificent, calming essence.
You can mix it with basil, clary sage, rosemary or thyme oil for optimal results. It has a herbal, slightly medicinal aroma.
NOW Solutions designed this oil for aromatherapy purposes specifically.
Rub the marjoram oil on your soles, and you'll feel the relief as the pain alleviates.
You can use it to reduce swelling, spasms, and sciatica.
Its minty smell can be calming, and it works great as a massage oil.
If you mix a few drops with water, you can make an excellent antioxidant drink.
However, you should keep in mind that this product is made of thymus mastichina, not the sweet origanum marjorana which is much more beneficial and has a more pleasant smell.
Be precise with the dosage, because large quantities can cause headaches.
- If you put it on the soles of your feet, it will alleviate pain
- It reduces swelling, spasms and sciatica
- It smells a bit minty and medicinal
- It works great as a massage oil
- If you mix it with water, you will get an excellent antioxidant drink
- This is thymus mastichina, not the sweet marjoram (Origanum marjorana)
- In large quantities, the scent can cause a severe headache
- The dropper allows too much oil to drop out
- It is so potent that it seems artificial
Source: Amazon.com
doTERRA Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil, with its pungent, herbaceous, smoky aroma, is one of the most loved oils for massages and skin toning.
It is refreshing and supports healthy digestion.
You can combine equal parts of coconut oil as a carrier, and lemongrass oil for massages.
Another option is to blend the lemongrass with basil, cardamom, or spearmint.
If you spend several hours a day standing on your feet or walking, this essential oil can help your feet feel comfortable again, which is crucial for plantar fasciitis.
It can also help you get rid of feet fungus, break fevers or improve your digestion.
The aroma is nice, relaxing and uplifting at the same time.
However, if you put too many drops in your diffuser, the smell might make you nauseous.
Also, your skin might have an allergic reaction if you apply it directly.
The sealing cap drips, so be careful.
- It can keep your feet comfortable if you have to stand for a long time
- It is also great for feet fungus
- It breaks fevers and helps with digestion
- The aroma is fantastic
- It is relaxing and uplifting at the same time
- Too many drops might cause nausea
- Your skin might react to it
- It has an awful sealing cap that drips
- Be careful purchasing doTerra oils as there are many cheap knockoffs out there
Source: Amazon.com
Plant Therapy Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
Plant Therapy is here to offer you their 100% organic, USDA Certified peppermint essential oil, that has no additives or fillers.
It has a fresh, minty-grassy smell, that will boost your senses, help you relax and revitalize.
The cooling effect it has on the skin can help you get rid of almost any pain in your body.
If you want to pamper your feet in it, just mix a few drops with a half cup of Epsom salt and let that mixture dissolve in warm water.
This peppermint essential oil works well as a pain reliever.
It can also alleviate your fever or fix your breath.
The substance is organic and affordable at the same time.
A few drops are all that you need.
Unfortunately, Plant Therapy’s essential oil doesn’t have a clear aroma which makes it not potent enough.
It is not as efficient with migraines like other brands’ oils.
At last, getting a drop out of the bottle can be difficult.
- It can help you get rid of the fever
- It is tasty if you mix it with water
- It works as a fantastic pain reliever
- You need just a few drops to get the job done
- The oil is organic and pure, yet quite affordable
- It doesn’t have a clear aroma
- The scent is not potent enough
- It is not as efficient for migraines as expected
- It’s a bit hard to get a drop out of the bottle
The Final Verdict
I know, plantar fasciitis can be incredibly annoying, tiring and painful, and you are willing to try anything that can reduce the pain even by a fraction.
However, I cannot tell you which essential oil for plantar fasciitis is the best one in your case.
You have to find that out on your own.
As you’ve seen, there are many available options on the market, and you can combine the healing properties of the essential oil, with the scent you like.
Just promise me, that even if it might sound silly, you will give it a try.
You will thank me later.
How can Essential Oils Help Your Plantar Fasciitis?
If you ever read anything about essential oils, you already know that they have tremendous healing properties for various medical conditions.
Luckily for you, plantar fasciitis is one of them.
Essential oils are made of aromatic plant materials, such as the bark of trees, leaves, petals of flowers, and stems. They are produced through two different processes - steam distillation and cold pressing.
Previously mentioned processes result in highly potent and concentrated liquid substances, which are later used to heal, revitalize, relax and refresh.
We can agree that plantar fasciitis, and other related medical issues, such as heel spurs and bunions, cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
The primary role of essential oils is to relieve that pain and discomfort.
Various types of essential oils can help you with plantar fasciitis.
Their scent is not that important, as long as they have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, or can boast analgesic and stimulants.
Most commonly, one essential oil will have few of these properties combined.
Another beauty of this type of plantar fasciitis therapy is that you can mix different oils to find what suits your needs and deliver the best healing results.
Which Essential Oils Should You Choose?
This is the list of essential oils that are most commonly used for treating plantar fasciitis, and their medicinal properties.
Remember, this list is not final, you can add any oil you like to it, or avoid some oils that are included, if you find they don&apost work for you.
Let’s take a look at the table:
How to Use Essential Oils to Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
There’s one thing you should remember: healing plantar fasciitis can’t be done with just essential oils.
You’ll have to perform a series of stretches, combine it with essential oils based deep tissue massage, and then get back to more foot stretches.
Now, I will teach you how to apply essential oils to your painful feet!
Foot Soak
If you want to heal your plantar fasciitis, you should perform these healing foot soaks every day.
The best time to do it, is at night, just before bedtime.
Such ritual will help you sleep better as well.
You’ll need:
- A foot soak tub filled with hot water
- ½ or ¾ cup Epsom salts
- 10 drops of birch
- 10 drops of peppermint
- 5 drops of geranium
- 5 drops of marjoram
Instructions
All you have to do is fill a foot soak tub with hot water, put the Epsom salt in it, and wait for it to dissolve.
Add the essential oils and mix.
Place your feet in the soaking tub, and sit comfortably for 15 minutes.
You can repeat this 1 – 2 times a day.
Fascia Massage Blend
Once you make this potent massage blend, you can use it for both foot soaks and massages.
Store it in a dropper or roll-on bottle for convenience.
Remember, you’ll have to dilute it before use.
You’ll need:
- 1 8-ounce amber glass bottle
- 8 teaspoons of Helichrysum
- 8 teaspoons of lemongrass
- 8 teaspoons of wintergreen
- 4 teaspoons of clove
- 4 teaspoons of geranium
- 2 teaspoons of black pepper
Instructions
Pour the essential oils into an amber bottle, using a dropper or a glass pipette.
Mix the content of the bottle thoroughly.
Dilute each time before use.
For optimal results, use a 2% – 5 % dilution.
Deep Tissue Massage Blend
Of course, making the fascia massage blend isn’t enough.
You have to give yourself a deep tissue massage for it to work.
You should do this 1 – 2 times a day.
It may be painful in the beginning, but you’ll feel a lot better at the end.
You’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 8 – 10 drops of the fascia tissue massage blend
Instructions
Mix the coconut oil with fascia massage blend and keep in a bowl.
Dip your fingers into the mixture and rub the oil into your soles.
Use long stroking motions, gradually warming up your feet.
Start pressing your feet in a squeezing motion using your thumb and the rest of the fingers.
Your knuckles should help you knead the soles of your feet. Maintain firm but gentle pressure.
If you feel too much pain, stop.
You can learn how to give yourself a therapeutic massage at home, by watching this video.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions, and don't forget about wrapping your foot with an ace bandage.
If you combine all of these different treatments, your pain will be gone before you know it.