Arthritis is increasingly common in our canine patients. While conventional medications provide relief, they often have side effects. Essential oils for arthritis in dogs are a holistic alternatives that can be used alongside conventional treatments, or on their own.
Essential oils have been utilized for thousands of years. While their form may have changed thanks to advancing technologies such as distillation, their nature and ability to help treat pain and illness have remained a hallmark of aromatherapy treatment. As time has passed, they’ve also come into increasing use for companion animals. From everyday wellness routines to disease management, essential oils have found their way into modern veterinary medicine through their use by integrative and holistic veterinarians. One condition seen with increasing frequency in veterinary medicine is arthritis, with its multiple presentations and differing levels of pain. This article looks at how essential oils can provide an alternative treatment for managing arthritis in veterinary patients.
A brief review of arthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs. In fact, up to 75% of medium to large-sized adult dogs may be affected. 1 Scientific data has demonstrated that osteoarthritis in dogs is on the rise, with a 66% increase in just the past decade.2
Osteoarthritis is characterized by a progressive deterioration of articular cartilage in diarthrodial joints, with hyaline cartilage thinning, joint effusion, and periarticular osteophyte formation. 3 The clinical signs of arthritis can vary in severity and may include lameness, joint swelling, muscle atrophy, pericapsular fibrosis, and crepitation. 1,3,4 Radiographic changes will also vary, depending on where the dog is along the timeline of arthritic progression. These changes can include joint effusion, periarticular soft tissue swelling, osteophytosis, subchondral bone sclerosis, and possibly narrowed joint space. 1,3
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated lipophilic extracts of aromatic terpenoid constituents. In other words, they are volatile liquids distilled from certain parts of plants, including shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. 5,6 Essential oils are secondary metabolic end products of plant metabolism, and their functions include protection, nutrition, and reproduction. 7 They consist of hundreds of chemical constituents that work synergistically, allowing them to display particular characteristics. These constituents are mixtures of different terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aromatic compounds such as phenols and phenylpropanes. 8
Essential oils can be utilized in several ways. The most commonly-used are diffusion, topical application, and oral administration. Of these, diffusion and topical applications are the most frequently prescribed.
Because of the concentrated nature and potency of essential oils, it is vitally important to make sure only the purist and highest quality oils are used, especially when prescribing for our animal patients with their heightened sense of smell.
How essential oils benefit the treatment of arthritis
As discussed, essential oils contain bioactive constituents. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that specific constituents are quite effective at decreasing inflammation and reducing pain to aid in the treatment of arthritis.
Within specific studies, regarding inflammation and arthritis, certain constituents were found to inhibit the expression of IL-1?, TNF-?, and IL-6 in an inflamed synovial membrane. They were also shown to inhibit IL-1? and IL-6 in an inflamed meniscus. 9
In another study, similar effects were demonstrated for Litsea cubeba, whose essential oil was able to decrease TNF-?, IL-1?, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-17A levels and increase IL-10 in type II collagen-induced arthritic rats. 10
Another important aspect of essential oil use in arthritis is pain reduction. Constituents such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes have been investigated for their potential antinociceptive activity and have demonstrated analgesic-like activity. 9,11
Common essential oils for arthritis in dogs
Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis)
Copaiba is probably one of the most common and well-known essential oils for arthritis thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to reduce pain. Copaiba essential oil is obtained from steam distillation of the oleoresin from the copaiba tree. Its constituents are a complex mixture of terpenes known for their medicinal activities, including antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anxiolytic, mucolytic, and neuroprotective. 12
A major, well-studied terpene in Copaiba is ?-caryophyllene. It selectively binds to cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2); activation of CB2 is a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of multiple medical conditions, including pain and inflammation. 13
Because it is considered one of the top anti-inflammatory oils, Copaiba can often be utilized in place of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); alternatively, they can be given together to work more synergistically or until symptoms improve and the NSAID can be weaned down or stopped completely. 14
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexusosus)
The essential oil produced from Lemongrass is extracted by steam distillation from the dried or fresh leaves of the plant. The main constituents found in Lemongrass oil include myrcene, geranyl acetate, nerol, citronellal, geraniol, neral, and traces of lime and citrate. 15 Its biological activity has been used to help treat a variety of medical conditions.
Lemongrass essential oil has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties. 16 As a more specific treatment for arthritis, it has been demonstrated to regenerate connective tissue and ligaments, improve circulation, and promote lymph flow. 17 This essential oil is very popular for use with cruciate and muscle injuries.
According to a 2005 study by Dr. Sue Chao, Lemongrass oil is one of the top six essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties. It is considered a “hot” oil and dilution is recommended for application.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense is one of the most well-known essential oils, probably second only to lavender in recognition and popularity. This is due in part to its anti-cancer properties. Frankincense oil is a first choice in holistic and integrative cancer treatment protocols but there is more to it than its anti-tumoral effects. Its major constituents include alpha-pinene, limonene, sabinene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-thujene, and Incensole. 18
Frankincense helps in the treatment of arthritis by affecting the physiological and metabolic pathways that lead to inflammation and pain. One study concluded that five bioactive compounds could help explain the reduction in inflammation. 19 Another study set out to focus on specific pathways and concluded that the suppression of leukotriene synthesis by inhibition of 5-LOX is the main mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of boswellic acid. 20
Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum)
Helichrysum essential oil is renowned for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Over the years, it has been known by other names such as Immortelle and Everlasting. Its main constituents include neryl acetate, gamma-curcumene, alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and beta-selinene. 21
Like many essential oils and holistic remedies, helichrysum tends to know what the body needs and can help restore balance and homeostasis. For example, it is used as an anticoagulant in cases where blood clots are present; but at the opposite end of the spectrum, it is very useful for helping to stop bleeding in cases of hemorrhage and bruising. 22
When it comes to arthritis, Helichrysum is indicated for nerve regeneration, circulatory and blood vessel disorders, as a topical anesthetic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and for pain control. 22,23,24 It is often included in pain recipe blends, especially those intended for oral use. In pain management situations, a synergistic effect has been noted when combining Helichrysum with Copaiba and Myrrh. 22
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
Balsam Fir is also known as Fir Needle or Fir Balsam, and is commonly used for Christmas trees. Its chief constituents are alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, and limonene. 25 Balsam Fir is great for use with arthritis and bone conditions, muscle and joint issues, and for decreasing inflammatory conditions. 26,27 It has also been reported to assist in the treatment of scoliosis and sciatica. 25
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Marjoram has long been an important herb. It was known as the “herb of happiness” to the ancient Romans, and “joy of the mountains” to the Greeks. Today, Marjoram is also known as Sweet Marjoram. Some of its most common constituents include terpinen-4-ol, gamma-terpinene, linalol+cis-4-thujanol, alpha-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, and sabinene. 28 Marjoram essential oil known as one of the “muscle” essential oils. 29 It is also very beneficial for body and joint discomfort as well as muscle spasms, arthritis, and nerve pain. 29,30
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
The essential oil of Myrrh is produced from the steam distillation of the tree’s gum or resin. Some of it major constituents include lindestrene, curzerene, furanoendesma-1,3-diene, 2-methoxy furanogermacrene, and beta-elemene. 31 Bioactive constituents have been shown to help inhibit the expression of known inflammatory mediators such as IL-1?, IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF?. 19 Myrrh is a very common essential oil used in pain management protocols. It is often combined with Copaiba and Helichrysum in an oral formulation. 32 Myrrh is also an excellent choice for topical use to help control pain and promote post-surgical healing.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Perhaps no other essential oil is as well-known and studied as Lavender. It is considered by many to be the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils. In other words, it is very versatile and can be utilized for most disease conditions. Lavender’s key constituents include linalyl acetate, linalol, cis-beta-ocimene, trans-beta-ocimene, and terpinen-4-ol. 33 In one clinical study, linalol and linalyl acetate accounted for the anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in rats within the study. 34 Other studies have shown that Lavender can be nociceptive because of its constituents’ ability to inhibit some of the major inflammatory mediators leading to severe pain. 35,36 This makes Lavender an ideal choice for skin conditions, wound healing, muscular conditions, and arthritis.
Some final thoughts
Arthritis and degenerative joint diseases are becoming more prevalent within the canine population. While conventional treatment protocols have provided relief for many years, they are not without their side effects. Another consideration regarding long term medication use is that pets are becoming refractory to the treatments. Essential oils provide a holistic alternative that can be used alongside current treatments, or on their own. While eight of the most common essential oils used for treating arthritis are outlined above, there are many more that could be utilized in an arthritis treatment protocol. The key is to choose an organic, pure, high quality essential oil, and use it properly. If this is done, the benefits of essential oils for treating arthritis are amazing.
1Millis D. Multimodal Pain Management for Canine Osteoarthritis. Today’s Veterinary Practice. Volume 11/Number 5. September/October 2021. pp. 42-49.
2Osteoarthritis in pets on the rise alongside obesity epidemic. Veterinary Practice News. June 25, 2019. Accessed February 3, 2024. veterinarypracticenews.com/osteoarthritis-in-pets-on-the-rise-alongside-obesity-epidemic.
3Harari J. Degenerative Arthritis in Dogs and Cats. Found in the Merck Veterinary Manual> online. merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/arthropathies-and-related-disorders-in-small-animals/degenerative-arthritis-in-dogs-and-cats?query=degenerative%20joint%20disease%20in%20dogs. Last Accessed on February 5, 2024.
4Sorah E. Carprofen for Dogs: Osteoarthritis and Pain Management. Today’s Veterinary Practice. Volume 10/Number 4. July/August 2020. pp. 68-72.
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10Zhao J, Wang Q, Ma J. Chemical composition and anti-arthritic activity of the essential oil from Litsea cubeba against Type II collagen rheumatoid arthritis in rat collagen. Trop. J. Pharm. Res. 2020, 19, 645-650.
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