Frankincense and Myrrh for Neuropathy pain

Posted by hotfooted @hotfooted, Apr 26, 2019

Today I saw the Nutritionist that my doctor sent me to.. As usual, my feet were red and burning. She told me that many Diabetics that she counseled used Frankincense and Myrrh drops mixed with a lotion and they swore by it.. wouldn't be without it. She had some and we tried it on my poor feet right then.. It was absolutely amazing! My feet cooled down immediately and they became their normal white skin again. That was this morning and they are still okay at 5:30 in the evening.. My gosh, maybe I'll be able to sleep better tonight... Have any of you tried this? If so, what has been your experience with it? I'm hoping to hear lots of comments back...

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@johnbishop

Hello @paulalbert, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @athenalee and other members. Thank you for sharing what helps you and how you found Connect. When I first started searching for something that would help the numbness symptoms of my neuropathy I also tried a lot of different topicals with no success. I also tried several combinations of essential oils mixed together with a carrier base oil and found they did not help me much. Some made the feet feel a little better but didn't do much for the numbness. I did try Frankincense along with Lavender and a few others recommended for neuropathy but none worked for me...but then I don't have pain with my neuropathy. I'm really happy to hear the Frankincense Myrrh helps you and hopefully will help others too.

Here is another article I found that talks about the topic.
-- Can Essential Oils Treat Neuropathy?: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/essential-oils-neuropathy

I was surprised on the amount of research information I found using Google Scholar and searching for "essential oils for neuropathy"
-- https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2021&q=essential+oils+for+neuropathy&hl=en&as_sdt=0,24

You also might be interested in the following discussion on Connect:
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Are you about to share a little more about your neuropathy diagnosis and symptoms?

Jump to this post

Thank you John for the welcome and plethora of information. Yes I'll share more of my neuropathy hurdles, and in the other forum you linked. Sorry you've not had much success. I recently heard capsaicin cream helps but that some find it burn-y. I may try it. You say you have no pain with your neuropathy. For me that's a fine line. I guess reason being at times I have pain, like a single sewing needle being jabbed into a toe, then maybe a heel, then a leg, but fortunately that, while consistent, isn't super often. I too have the numbness which some days, even with no treatment, are better than others. Then there's days when it feels doubly "numb" but there is a definite internal feeling...like man it's hard to describe. Like, if one is sitting still we normally aren't like conscious of say, our shins. Or our forearms. Etc. They are there but they aren't screaming at us with sensation. But the feet ARE. Every second of sitting say in an easy chair, the feet have a pretty strong feeling. It's not that painful except when you consider it never goes away. Kind of like when say someone gives you a rug burn on your wrist...remember those? They can go fairly light and it doesn't hurt too much. BUT...if they NEVER stopped doing it, a deep pain would be associated with it. Kind of like if you grab your fingers in one hand with your other hand and squeeze them together. Lightly is ok. Well that's kind of what my neuropathy feels like. Squeeze harder or almost as hard as you can, and that's how it feels on bad days. I will admit that my pain is better during the day while I am working.

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@athenalee

I’m glad it works for you so well. I too have tried lidocaine, so far nothing. Unfortunately, many of the remedies people on Connect recommend interact with my immunosuppressive meds, including THC/CBD, Kava, Voltaren, etc. I did look up Frankincense and it does interact unfortunately. So, I may try a little and see how it goes.

Thanks for sending the image though. I do take Gabapentin at night to sleep and it keeps the sharp pains down. I’m trying to limit it to just 200-300 mgs., so I can usually sleep six hours or so which works for me. I know there’s no magic pill or lotion that cures neuropathy, but I’m still hoping for a more natural substance that can help relieve more of the pain and discomfort.

I hope you find something that helps you sleep longer! If you haven’t explored some of the other neuropathy discussions, you might find something that helps. I’ve learned a lot from the experiences that people share.

Jump to this post

Hi @athenalee Yes I hope to learn more from kind folks in here. I use gabepentin at night it too helps curb enough sensation so that I'm not distracted out of all sleep. It's bothersome that we have to "numb the numbness" almost like people use whisky to numb life's pain. Don't get me wrong I'm happy there's at least something... but covering it up is about 5% as desirable as curing or reversing the damage. Medicine is amazing at some things like hearts, cancer, eye issues and some organs. But it sucks at things like the common cold, back issues, and neuropathy. p.s. I'm still getting use to the ins and outs here, like putting @johnbishop or @athenalee in replies.

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@johnbishop

Hello @paulalbert, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @athenalee and other members. Thank you for sharing what helps you and how you found Connect. When I first started searching for something that would help the numbness symptoms of my neuropathy I also tried a lot of different topicals with no success. I also tried several combinations of essential oils mixed together with a carrier base oil and found they did not help me much. Some made the feet feel a little better but didn't do much for the numbness. I did try Frankincense along with Lavender and a few others recommended for neuropathy but none worked for me...but then I don't have pain with my neuropathy. I'm really happy to hear the Frankincense Myrrh helps you and hopefully will help others too.

Here is another article I found that talks about the topic.
-- Can Essential Oils Treat Neuropathy?: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/essential-oils-neuropathy

I was surprised on the amount of research information I found using Google Scholar and searching for "essential oils for neuropathy"
-- https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2021&q=essential+oils+for+neuropathy&hl=en&as_sdt=0,24

You also might be interested in the following discussion on Connect:
-- Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/

Are you about to share a little more about your neuropathy diagnosis and symptoms?

Jump to this post

Hello, John @johnbishop and @paulalbert, @hotfooted , @athenalee and everyone else.

I'm kind of pushing into the conversation here, but I'm not a shy southern girl.

John has heard my story, so I'll be brief. I've had peripheral neuropathy for many years. I'm 74 now.

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@paulalbert

Hi @athenalee Yes I hope to learn more from kind folks in here. I use gabepentin at night it too helps curb enough sensation so that I'm not distracted out of all sleep. It's bothersome that we have to "numb the numbness" almost like people use whisky to numb life's pain. Don't get me wrong I'm happy there's at least something... but covering it up is about 5% as desirable as curing or reversing the damage. Medicine is amazing at some things like hearts, cancer, eye issues and some organs. But it sucks at things like the common cold, back issues, and neuropathy. p.s. I'm still getting use to the ins and outs here, like putting @johnbishop or @athenalee in replies.

Jump to this post

I think doctors are confused by neuropathy for that very reason. They can’t just give us a pill and expect it to to make us better or even help. It seems from what I’ve gathered people with neuropathy vary so widely on what or if they respond positively to any particular med or treatment. I think too it’s helpful to find the right doctor, which I’ve not.

I don’t like to take Gabapentin during the day because I have to write for much of my work and find I can’t concentrate well on it. But, it’s hard to concentrate while in pain too! Today I had to drive five hours round trip. I’m finding driving increasingly difficult with the numbness and tingling…my feet and legs feel like they’ve fallen asleep, but they hurt too. I try to think of @johnbishop, as he still drives with numb feet…so, helps me gain confidence as this is all pretty new to me.

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@athenalee

I think doctors are confused by neuropathy for that very reason. They can’t just give us a pill and expect it to to make us better or even help. It seems from what I’ve gathered people with neuropathy vary so widely on what or if they respond positively to any particular med or treatment. I think too it’s helpful to find the right doctor, which I’ve not.

I don’t like to take Gabapentin during the day because I have to write for much of my work and find I can’t concentrate well on it. But, it’s hard to concentrate while in pain too! Today I had to drive five hours round trip. I’m finding driving increasingly difficult with the numbness and tingling…my feet and legs feel like they’ve fallen asleep, but they hurt too. I try to think of @johnbishop, as he still drives with numb feet…so, helps me gain confidence as this is all pretty new to me.

Jump to this post

@athenalee and @paulalbert, My feet are still numb but they don't feel quite as bad as they were when I first started this journey back in 2016 after 20+ years of letting it progress because I could not find any topicals that helped and there are no drugs that help with the numbness. After I started taking the protocol of supplements it took a little over 2 months until my legs and feet started feeling a little better and it seemed to have slowed or stopped the progression up the legs. That was the end of 2016 and it's pretty much stayed the same since with the exception of the past few months I have started to gain a little tingling and can feel my toes more. The numbness is still there but it feels a little better than before. The past 2 years I've also added started rubbing moisturizer lotion on my feet and legs and I'm sure that has helped also. Keeping the skin moist helps due to the nerves being close to the skin. Exercise and walking are also really important but my walking is limited and I mostly use and exercise bike in the house. That's because I also have lower back issues. Just don't give up and work on finding something that provides relief and take it one day at a time! My full story is in this post in the Member Neuropathy Journey discussion - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

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@athenalee I agree. Not only is it difficult to find the right doctor for neuropathy it is difficult to find any doctor with the right attitude to offer the help we need. They have to be driven by desire and compassion. That has been my experience through the years. Some doctors don’t want to be bothered so they prescribe medications. I am very leery of those but good doctors do exist. We have to make the effort to search for doctors who will listen and hold on to them. I am also involved with my mother’s medical care so I deal with additional doctors. I have found them all to be respectful and understanding. Don’t get discouraged.

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@johnbishop

@athenalee and @paulalbert, My feet are still numb but they don't feel quite as bad as they were when I first started this journey back in 2016 after 20+ years of letting it progress because I could not find any topicals that helped and there are no drugs that help with the numbness. After I started taking the protocol of supplements it took a little over 2 months until my legs and feet started feeling a little better and it seemed to have slowed or stopped the progression up the legs. That was the end of 2016 and it's pretty much stayed the same since with the exception of the past few months I have started to gain a little tingling and can feel my toes more. The numbness is still there but it feels a little better than before. The past 2 years I've also added started rubbing moisturizer lotion on my feet and legs and I'm sure that has helped also. Keeping the skin moist helps due to the nerves being close to the skin. Exercise and walking are also really important but my walking is limited and I mostly use and exercise bike in the house. That's because I also have lower back issues. Just don't give up and work on finding something that provides relief and take it one day at a time! My full story is in this post in the Member Neuropathy Journey discussion - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/310341/

Jump to this post

Thanks for the link @johnbishop I made a post there. and read your story. I feel for ya man. I'm reading your advice and will take it to heart. Hey btw how does one "like" a post here? I don't see a like button. Again, I made a long post about my journey in the other forum so keeping this one short. Hang in there bud!

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@paulalbert

Thanks for the link @johnbishop I made a post there. and read your story. I feel for ya man. I'm reading your advice and will take it to heart. Hey btw how does one "like" a post here? I don't see a like button. Again, I made a long post about my journey in the other forum so keeping this one short. Hang in there bud!

Jump to this post

Thanks @paulalbert! Easy to Like a post. Just click on the little heart icon at the bottom left of a post. It shows you the number of Likes and if you click on Like, you will see the members who liked the post. More tips can be found in the Get Started on Connect guide here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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Have not tried it, but going to, Oh, how I wish for normal feet again, I just want to DRIVE again, shoot, I'm willing to sit in Georgia traffic again. Thanks for the info😊😊

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@mznecie

Have not tried it, but going to, Oh, how I wish for normal feet again, I just want to DRIVE again, shoot, I'm willing to sit in Georgia traffic again. Thanks for the info😊😊

Jump to this post

@mznecie I hope it helps. I imagine there is all manner of neuropathy degrees with everything from a slight feeling to crushing pain. Mine isn't crushing pain, but maybe just squeezing pain, enough to combine with say a regular night of insomnia complicated by constant awareness of the painful feet. Makes for zombie like next days, with red bags under my eyes and funny looks from people at work.

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