Treating your Feet with Aromatherapy

A lot of essential oils have properties that can be really helpful for treating many foot ailments or discomforts. Some oils have disinfectant, antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help with problems like nail fungus or athlete’s foot. Others are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic which can help with sore feet, arthritis and plantar fasciitis. We can also find oils that are antiperspirant which can help with foot odor and sweaty feet. Others can help repair cells and moisturize for those who have cracked heels.

Methods of Application

There are a few different ways to apply these essential oils to really treat your feet. For things like fungus and athlete’s foot you can apply certain oils directly to the problem areas. For aches and pains you can add some essential oils to a base oil and give yourself a massage. For sweaty, smelly feet you can add a few oils to a foot bath and to rehydrate your cracked heel s you can add a few oils to some cream and apply to the affected area.
Here are a few suggestions for self-treatment

Athlete’s foot:

• Prepare a foot bath with hot but not burning water and add 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of tea tree. Let feet soak for 15 minutes then dry properly.
• Put 1-2 drops of tea tree directly on the affected area. Amount varies depending on the size of the affected area.

Arthritis:

• In 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil add 2 drops of pine and 2 drops of peppermint. Use the mixture to give yourself a foot massage. This should diminish the inflammation and relieve the pain.
• Add 3 drops of each to a warm foot bath and soak your feet for 15 minutes.

Cracked Heels:

• To a bit of emu oil, add 2 drops of lavender and 2 drops of tea tree and rub into the problems areas. When you are finished, put on a pair of socks to maintain the moisture.

Nail Fungus:

• Cut your nail and file it down a bit to have the problem area a little bit more exposed. Let drip one single drop of tea tree essential oil on the fungus. Repeat twice a day.

Plantar Fasciitis:

• In 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil add 2 drops of pine and 2 drops of peppermint. Use the mixture to give yourself a foot massage. This should diminish the inflammation and relieve the pain.
• Add 3 drops of each to a warm foot bath and soak your feet for 15 minutes.

Foot Odor:

• Add 2 drops of citronella, 2 drop of tea tree and 2 drops of lime to a warm foot bath and soak your feet for 15 minutes. Dry feet properly after.
• Add 3 drops of tea tree, 2 drops of citronella and 2 drops of lime to 2 table spoons of talcum powder. Mix together really well so that the oils are broken up into the mixture. Use a portion to pat on to clean feet and another to put inside your shoes. This could be good for a few uses.

Hope you enjoy these aromatherapy synergies to treat all your feet’s needs.

Please read the contra-indications and precautions.

This article is for information purposes and is not intended to replace medical treatment. If you are pregnant, nursing, have heart problem, diabetes or on any medication you should verify with an aromatherapist or doctor before using. Take special precaution with children and babies and verify with a specialist as well. It’s always best to start with an allergy before trying out essential oils.

Foot Bath Recipes