The best essential oils for swollen lymph nodes are Frankincense, OilPeppermint, Ginger, Grapefruit, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Cypress, Geranium, Orange, and Oregano. Swollen lymph nodes are the body’s response to certain infections, and the following is a full list of the best essential oils that can assist with the treatment of swollen lymph nodes.
The best essential oils have a pleasant scent, lovely fragrance, and extremely potent antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be explored to treat various medical conditions, like skin irritation and circulatory difficulty. They are also used for the treatment of all kinds of inflammations, including swollen lymph nodes.
What are Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy, is an inflammation of the skin that occurs when excess lymph fluid flows through a particular body area. This results in the formation of soft and tender outgrowth on the side of the neck or armpit.
They are often caused as a result of infection from either viruses or bacteria. And other times, swollen lymph nodes occur when the lymphatic regions are predisposed to other ailments like upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, sore throat, skin wounds, etc.
Medical practitioners hold different opinions as to whether swollen lymph nodes are good or bad. One side that sees it as a good sign says that they emerge when your body (immune system) spontaneously fights infection or sickness. Another part of the divide says swollen lymph node is not too good because they believe there is always an underlying cause (which is often bad) behind swollen lymph.
Whichever of the two divides you choose to believe, you should immediately seek medical advice when you start feeling uncomfortable as a result of a swollen lymph node.
Now that we fully understand the meaning of swollen lymph nodes and what causes them let’s dive into the various ways of treating it using essential oils.
The 10 Best Essential Oils for Swollen Lymph Nodes & How to Use Them
1. Frankincense Essential Oil
The Frankincense essential, which has been in existence for several years, originates from the frankincense tree. This gives the oil its characteristic woody smell comes in handy during aromatherapy and healing.
It also has many health benefits, which it owes to its rich constituents and excellent properties. As a result, the oil may help alleviate arthritis, relieve asthma, or aid digestion.
Frankincense essential oil particularly has antimicrobial properties, which helps either fight off infections that cause swollen lymph nodes or remedy it. Of notable mention is how it helps drastically reduce pain in people who have swollen lymph nodes.
Although the swollen lymph occurs when the immune system tries to fight off a primary infection, applying frankincense essential oil can improve the immune system, thereby speeding up recovery.
How to use Frankincense Essential Oil
To use the oil, ensure that you dilute your frankincense essential oil with a carrier oil such as the coconut oil. After dilution, proceed to Apply the mixture to the swollen area.
You may also swallow the oil if you like by putting one or two drops in your tea or water.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil has its origin from the mint family, which gives it a nice scent and fresh aroma. It is an excellent essential oil that offers a relaxed and tingling effect when applied to the skin. It also boasts of unique healing properties, which makes it very useful in aromatherapy.
Peppermint essential oil is rich in many vital vitamins (A & C) and macro minerals (iron, magnesium, copper, and calcium). Therefore, the vitamins and minerals boost the immune system, putting the body in an excellent position to fight off bacterial infection. It also helps to reduce skin inflammation and reduces the pain caused by the swollen lymph node,
One fantastic thing about this oil is that you can use it directly because it is less concentrated than the other essential oils.
How to use Peppermint Essential Oil
Put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on the affected area, and massage gently. Inhale the oil to fight against sinus infections, a possible cause of swollen lymph nodes. It can also be taken orally by adding two drops to your drink.
3. Ginger Essential Oil
The ginger essential oil can be obtained from ginger roots. It features a spicy aroma, which makes it a perfect ingredient for aromatherapy. Ginger is known to improve the immune system’s workability by fighting against body infections and diseases.
Ginger Essential Oil contains gingerols, which are great healing agents for reducing swelling and relieving pain. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, making it the perfect oil for relieving swollen lymph nodes in the body.
How to Use Ginger Essential Oil
Dilute with a carrier oil and apply it to the affected area for quick results.
When using ginger essential oil, you have to be careful because it is known to cause some side effects, like skin irritation, when applied directly to the skin.
Also, specific results show that ginger oil should not be taken orally. However, it can be inhaled using diffusers or steam inhalation technique.
4. Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruit essential oil is derived from grapefruit peels. They contain Limonene, which has strong antioxidant qualities that are excellent for the skin. Limonene is very common in skincare products due to its refreshing scent and other benefits.
Sometimes, swollen lymph nodes around the neck or armpit can result in cancer or tumor. This is where grapefruit essential oil comes in. It reduces tumor growth and inhibits cancerous cells by attacking them and minimizing their impact in the body.
The oil also features a powerful anti-inflammatory ability, enabling it to fight against the germs and infections that cause the swollen lymph nodes. And by extension, this also helps to reduce further swelling of the lymph.
How to Use Grapefruit Essential Oil
Dilute with a carrier oil and massage the area.
5. Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel essential oil possesses antimicrobial properties that can prevent bacterial or viral infections, the secondary cause of swollen lymph nodes. Once you can fight and defeat the causative agents, then recovery is imminent. That’s what fennel essential oil does!
When applied, it goes directly into the body through the skin, strengthening the immune system and preparing it well enough to fight against the current infection and subsequent ones.
Besides, the oil features anti-inflammatory properties, which helps relieve swelling and redness, if any.
This essential can be ingested orally or applied topically on the skin. It is also found to contain powerful constituents such as Limonene, phenylpropanoid, or Estragole, which are potent antioxidants by themselves.
How to use Fennel Essential Oils
Put two drops of essential fennel oil on your palm. Locate the swollen area and rub gently.
6. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
The Lymph nodes usually swell up as white blood cells respond to an attack in the body. And the carrot seed essential oil comes in handy by improving the body system. It also strengthens the immune system by enabling the antigens to fight better or recover faster.
Another thing you will like about the Carrot Seed essential oil is that it has many rich nutrients and minerals ( calcium, magnesium, manganese) and possess all the excellent features ( antioxidant, antiseptic, disinfectant) which you’ll expect an essential oil to have.
These components and features add up to make this oil a perfect prospect in treating swollen lymph nodes by preventing disease outbreak, alleviating infections, and protecting your internal cells from damage.
How to use Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Dilute the carrot seed essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to the affected areas around the ear, neck, or armpit.
7. Cypress Essential Oil
The cypress essential oil was obtained from the leaves of a unique tree called Cupressus sempervirens tree.
This essential oil contains antiseptic properties that help to prevent swollen lymph nodes. It achieves this by suppressing the growth of infectious substances and microorganisms, which happens to be their secondary causative agent.
Since viruses and bacterial infections tend to multiply over time, causing the swelling of the affected, the Cypress essential oil has potent detoxifiers, helping the body get rid of harmful substances.
How to Use Cypress Essential Oil
Mix with a carrier oil and rub on the affected area. It is not advisable to ingest this particular essential oil, and you can always check the label for more information on how to use it.
8. Geranium Essential Oil
The Geranium essential is a natural extract that is obtained from the geranium plant.
It has many health-related benefits to offer its users; however, it will help relieve swollen lymph nodes.
The oil has rich nutrients and minerals such as citronellol, menthone, etc. It also has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, eliminating bacterial, fungal, and viral infections from the body. They also strengthen the immune system and enable the repair or replace worn cells.
Lastly, when applied to the swollen lymph nodes, geranium essential oil serves as painkillers, reducing the pain caused by the inflammation.
How to use Geranium Essential Oil
Dilute the geranium essential oil with coconut oil (carrier oil) and massage the affected area. Two drops each for both oils will be enough.
9. Orange Essential Oil
Orange essential oil is a natural derivative of orange peels. Generally, oranges are rich in vitamins and other essential minerals that boost the immune system and enable it to work better and more efficiently.
The peel of sweet oranges contains some vital antioxidants like linalool, Limonene, Pinene, and Sabinene, which reduces external conditions that cause swollen lymph nodes.
The antioxidant is also responsible for safeguarding the body against harmful cells such as cancer or tumor cells.
It is also important to mention that the oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing swelling and enhancing recovery.
How to use Orange Essential Oil
Please take a few drops of orange essential oil and apply it to the swollen area.
10. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil is another essential oil that can help you deal with swollen lymph nodes around the ear or behind the neck.
Although it has many other health benefits, our main concern is its effect on lymph nodes.
Irrespective of what causes lymph nodes to swell, Oregano essential oil is a fantastic oil that can eradicate swollen lymph’s outgrowth without stress.
Besides, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties allow it to fight against infections such as bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
How to use Oregano Essential Oil
Dilute two drops of essential oregano oil with any other oils to gently minimize the area’s concentration and massage.
FAQs on Best Essential Oils for Swollen Lymph Nodes
What Essential Oils Are Good for Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Swollen lymph nodes occur as a response to infections in the body system. According to some research and practical tests, certain essential oils help to prevent swollen lymph nodes or alleviate pains in people who already have it.
Thus, you should get any of these oils and dilute before use (where appropriate) to eliminate swollen lymph nodes:
- Frankincense Essential Oil to fight infections that may cause swollen lymph nodes
- Peppermint Essential Oil helps to boost the immune system and prevent inflammations
- Ginger Essential Oil to reduce further swelling of the lymph or relieve pains
- Grapefruit Essential Oil to reduce inflammation caused by cancerous cells
- Geranium Essential Oil to relieve swollen lymph nodes
- Orange Essential Oil reduce swollen lymph nodes and fight off germs which may cause swollen lymph nodes
What Are the Best Essential Oils for Swollen Lymph Nodes Behind the Ear?
Swollen lymph nodes often appear in three places: behind the ear, on the neck, and in the armpit.
Here are the best essential oils for swollen lymph nodes behind the ear.
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Grapefruit Essential Oil
- Fennel Essential Oil
- Cypress Essential Oil
- Oregano Essential Oil
- Ginger Essential Oil
What are the Best Essential Oils for Swollen Lymph Nodes in The Armpit?
The most common place where swollen lymph nodes emerge on the body is the armpit. It occurs as a result of excess lymph fluid when the body tries to respond to another infection.
Here are the best essential oils for swollen lymph nodes in the armpit:
- Grapefruit Essential Oil is very efficient for reducing inflammations caused by a tumor.
- Cypress Essential Oil to suppress the growth of diseases causing the lymph nodes around the armpit to swell up
- Orange Essential Oil to reduce inflammation, relieve pains caused by swollen lymph nodes, and also prevent reoccurrence
Conclusion
Swollen lymph nodes can cause a painful experience or damage to cells if left untreated for a long time.
However, Using the essential oils mentioned above will help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance the immune system to perform more efficiently.
As always, just let me know if you have any questions on the best oils for swollen lymph nodes, and I will be glad to help.