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 in this article:

• Foot Massage Blends
• Essential Oils for Bunions
• Essential Oils for Corns
• Rough Foot Cream Recipe
• Foot Powders
• Peppermint Foot Spray

Also see these articles:

• Essential Oils for Foot Bath
• Homemade Foot Scrubs
• Essential Oils for Athlete's Foot
• Foot and Leg Massage Techniques
• What Is Foot Reflexology?

Essential Oils for Foot Massage

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy suggests the following essential oils for foot massage:

• To help relieve swollen feet and ankles: cypress, lavender, juniper berry, roman chamomile, sweet orange, or peppermint. 
• For a refreshing foot massage: basil linalool, grapefruit, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, or spearmint.

Use one oil or make a blend. Generally use about 3 to 6 drops essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil.

Swollen Foot Relief

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

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

Tired Foot Relief

To relieve tired, painful feet, try this blend:

• 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

Adapted from Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health

Pick-Me-Up Blend

Feeling a little depressed? Try this foot massage blend:

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

Source: Healing with Aromatherapy

Grounding Foot Rub Oil

Use this foot oil when you feel flighty and ungrounded.

• 4 drops patchouli essential oil
• 4 drops elemi essential oil
• 2 drops vitamin E oil
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing

Refreshing Foot Cream

Use this cream to sooth and refresh your feet.

• 50ml (about 3-1/3 tablespoons) unscented foot cream or body lotion
• 7 drops lavender essential oil
• 7 drops tea tree essential oil
• 6 drops lemongrass essential oil

Add the essential oils to the cream or lotion and mix well. Store in a glass jar. Massage into feet twice daily.

Source: 100 Amazing Blends and Uses of Essential Oils

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

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.

Rough Foot Cream Using Essential Oils for 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.

Essential Oils for Foot Odor

Use this 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