Using Essential Oils for Feet: Massage, Corns, Bunions, and More

You can use essential oils for feet in a variety of ways. Here's what you'll find on this page:

• Foot Massage Blends
• Essential Oils For Bunions
• Essential Oils For Corns
• Rough Foot Cream Recipe
• Foot Powder Recipe
• Peppermint Foot Spray

Also see these pages:

• Foot and Leg Massage Techniques
  
• Aromatherapy Foot Bath Recipes
• Foot Scrub Recipes
• Essential Oils for Athlete's Foot
• Reflexology Foot Chart
  

Massage Using Essential Oils for Feet

For swollen feet and ankles, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy  suggests using lavender, roman chamomile, juniper berry, sweet orange, peppermint, or cypress. Use one oil or make a blend with equal parts of each.

The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness suggests the following massage blend for swollen feet and ankles:

• 1 teaspoon grapeseed or other carrier oil
• 2 drops cypress essential oil
• 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 drop lavender essential oil

Feeling a little depressed? Healing with Aromatherapy recommends the following foot massage blend:

• 5 drops angelica essential oil
  
• 6 drops cardamon essential oil
• 2 drops basil essential oil
• 2 teaspoons carrier oil

Tired Foot Relief

To relieve tired, painful feet, try this blend adapted from Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health:

• 11 drops rosemary essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil or unscented lotion or cream

Another option for tired feet is to make a massage blend with 2 teaspoons carrier oil and 4 to 5 drops of one of these essential oils: lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rosemary, basil linalol, grapefruit, or lavender.

Essential Oils for Bunions

To help relieve the discomfort of bunions, gently massage the area twice a day with this blend:

• 9 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
• 9 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 2 tablespoons calendula-infused oil
  

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Another option is to apply lavender, lemon, sweet marjoram, or peppermint essential oil (dilute as needed), according to Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home.

Essential Oils for Corns

For corns, the Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends:

• 2 drops myrrh essential oil
  
• 2 drops blue cypress essential oil
• 7 drops oregano essential oil
• 4 drops basil essential oil
• 1/4 teaspoon carrier oil

Apply one drop of the blend directly on the corn two to three times a day until the corn dissolves.

You can also try applying undiluted lavender or tea tree oil to corns. 

Foot Cream for Rough Feet

For rough skin on your feet, use the following cream:

• 20 drops of either frankincense, geranium, or sandalwood essential oil
• 6 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons (100 ml) sunflower or sweet almond oil
• 15 grams (3 teaspoons) beeswax

1. Place the carrier oil and beeswax in a heat-resistant bowl.
2. Place the bowl over a pan and boiling water and stir the mixture until melted.
3. Remove the bowl from the pan and continue to stir as the mixture begins to cool.
4. Stir in the essential oil.
5. Let cool completely.
6. Transfer the mixture to a sterilized jar.
7. Use as desired.

Source: Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy Foot Powder

To make a foot powder using essential oils for feet, 500 Formulas For Aromatherapy suggests:

• 15 drops peppermint
• 10 drops lemon
• 5 drops cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

or

• 10 drops grapefruit
• 10 drops spruce
• 5 drops patchouli
• 5 drops lemongrass
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Before applying powder to your feet, rub at least 5 drops of grapeseed oil into the bottom of each foot.

Powder to Neutralize Foot Odor

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup white cosmetic clay
• 50 drops orange essential oil
• 25 drops tea tree (optional) essential oil
• 25 drops thyme linalool essential oil
  

1. Combine dry ingredients and whisk together, avoiding breathing in the dust.
2. Place 6 tablespoons of powder in a mortar. Use a pestle to work in the essential oils.
3. Whisk the 6 tablespoons back into remaining powder.
4. Store in airtight container in cool dark place.
5. Shake before use. Apply to feet as desired.
   

Source: Essential Oils Every Day: Rituals and Remedies for Healing, Happiness, and Beauty

Peppermint Tea Tree Foot Spray

Here's a cooling mist for a hot day:

• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 60 drops peppermint essential oil
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 tablespoons witch hazel
  
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  

1. Put the cornstarch in a four-ounce spray bottle.
2. Add essential oils, witch hazel, and aloe vera gel.
   
3. Shake well.

To Use: Mist on feet and legs. For extra cooling, store the spray in the refrigerator.

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Photo Credit: Sara Bassani/PhotoXpress