Soothe These 7 Everyday Aches & Pains Without Reaching for Pills

Four images of a woman experiencing allergy symptoms: applying cream, rubbing her eyes, pinching her nose, and holding tissues while sitting on a bed—capturing the reality of everyday aches and discomfort.

Minor aches and pains of the everyday variety are pretty much unavoidable. We all have to deal with them, but we also have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to finding relief. I personally don’t have anything against popping a couple of ibuprofen, but I know that taking too many pain relievers isn’t good for you. According to WebMD, it can lead to stomach, kidney, or liver problems!

That’s why I’ve switched to gentler options for the everyday stuff. Below are seven of the aches and pains I deal with most often, and the natural way I handle each one.

Most of my fixes are essential oil roll-ons that I carry in my shop. If you’ve never used one, a roll-on is a little glass bottle of essential oils that have already been diluted in a carrier oil, with a rollerball on top. There’s nothing to measure or mix, and nothing to swallow. You just roll it onto your skin wherever it’s needed.

7 Everyday Aches & Pains You Can Soothe With Essential Oil Roll-Ons

A person applies essential oil to their wrist and behind their ear while sitting on a bed, seeking relief from everyday aches.

1. Sore Muscles & Achy Joints

A stiff neck, a cranky knee, the soreness that creeps in after a long day of yard work. For aches like these, I reach for Restore. Wintergreen, camphor, and peppermint give it a cooling, tingly feel on sore spots, and blue chamomile helps calm inflammation.

My son Erik has rheumatoid arthritis, and during his worst flare-up this past spring, he used Restore every day, sometimes more than once, just to get through meetings, stay on his feet, and sleep at night. He’s doing much better now, but he still keeps one at his desk and one on his nightstand.

In his words, “It gives me peace of mind knowing I have something that works—and that I can trust it to help me keep moving forward.”

A woman in a pink sweater applies essential oil to her temples while sitting in a striped armchair, seeking relief from everyday aches, then holds the oil bottle close to her forehead.

2. Headaches

When a headache strikes, it throws your whole day off track. Complete Relief is a gentle, herbaceous blend for head and neck tension, and a quick swipe across my temples usually takes the edge off.

Amanda G. says, “I use this before bed every night and it’s helped drastically with my migraines and headaches!”

Complete Relief is sold out right now, but it will be back in a few weeks. You can sign up for a restock notification in my shop so you’ll know as soon as it’s back.

In the meantime, Restore works beautifully on tension and sinus headaches, too.

Woman sitting in a car applying essential oil to ease everyday aches; close-up of her hand placing an oil bottle next to sunglasses on the car’s console.

3. Upset Stomach

Whether it’s an indulgent meal that didn’t sit well or stress playing havoc with your digestion, stomach trouble always seems to show up at the worst moment. Tum Ease is what I use for that. It’s built around ginger and sweet fennel, two oils with a long history of settling upset stomachs. I keep one in my purse for car trips, because it works on motion sickness, too.

Rae S. wrote, “I have been very pleased with Tum Ease! It helped my upset stomach very quickly, and no pills were involved!”

A woman in a pink top sits at a table set with pumpkins and juice; a close-up shows her holding a small essential oil bottle labeled “MINTAL,” suggesting a natural approach to soothing everyday aches.

4. Heartburn

That slow, burning pressure in your chest after a rich dinner, or the sour taste that shows up the moment you lie down, becomes more common as we get older. Antacids help, but they don’t agree with everyone, and the relief doesn’t always last.

Tum Ease is my gentler answer here, too. I use it at the first twinge after dinner.

Sheree S. uses it a little differently: “I used to get occasional heartburn at night. Now I just roll it on before bed, and no heartburn!! AMAZING PRODUCT!!”

A person in pink polka dot pajamas applies cream and oil to their feet while sitting on a bed and holding their ankle, soothing everyday aches with gentle care.

5. Trouble Sleeping

Tossing and turning at bedtime, or wide awake at 3 AM with your brain racing? I lived that struggle for decades, and sleeping pills always left me foggy the next morning. These days I use two roll-ons instead.

Slumber is a calming blend of lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver that I roll onto the bottoms of my feet right before I crawl into bed.

And when it’s a racing mind rather than a tense body keeping me up, I add a swipe of Calm Mind on my wrists. It’s a citrusy blend for quieting anxious thoughts.

I keep both in my nightstand because an extra swipe helps me drift back off after a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip. Carolyn said this about Slumber: “With this one, I have no problem falling asleep. And more importantly, falling back to sleep after my nightly bathroom trip is also easy. Highly recommend it.”

A woman sits in bed with a tissue, covered by a pink blanket, seeking comfort from everyday aches. A box of tissues, medicine, and a lamp are on the white nightstand beside her.

6. Scratchy Throat & Stuffy Nose

At the first sign of a scratchy throat or a stuffy head, I grab Defend. It’s a spicy blend of cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, and peppermint, and several of those oils have been studied for their antiviral activity. Whenever something’s going around, I roll it onto the back of my neck a couple of times a day.

Barb wrote, “This is my go-to product when I feel like I’m getting a sore throat. Before I go to bed, I roll it on my neck and behind my ears. The next morning, no more sore throat. It works for me. I never want to be without!!”

Two people sit in white chairs by a fire pit, gently easing their everyday aches as they roast marshmallows on sticks. A small table with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows sits between them.

7. Bug Bites & Bee Stings

Nothing spoils an evening around my backyard fire pit like mosquitoes. Defend helps here, too. Clove and cinnamon are among the most effective essential oils researchers have tested against mosquitoes, and Defend has both. So I roll it on before I head outside.

Even so, one usually sneaks through, and for the itchy bite it leaves behind, I go back to Restore. The same cooling wintergreen and peppermint that soothe sore muscles are wonderfully comforting on a bite or a sting.

Christine H. wrote, “It’s also great on bee stings. Stops the stinging/itching immediately. I always keep several on hand to share.”

A woman in a red floral sweater sits at a desk, holding a glue stick aloft in her right hand, with her mouth open as if speaking or surprised—perhaps discussing how she manages everyday aches while staying creative.

Keep Natural Relief Within Reach

Every roll-on is backed by my 100% money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied for any reason, just reach out within 90 days for a full refund, no questions asked. So there’s absolutely no risk in trying them out!

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Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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17 Comments

  1. Lavender essential oil is one of the few that can be used on skin undiluted by carrier oil. An amazing use is for pimples. When a pimple is first noticed, apply a drop of undiluted lavender essential oil at bedtime directly on the pimple. Leave uncovered unless the oil is likely to be rubbed off during the night, else add another drop to the inside of a bandage and cover. Most of the time, the pimple will be gone by morning. This will not work if the skin is broken, so don’t squeeze, scratch, or pop the pimple first.

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  2. I would love to print this for friends/family but there is an issue with the “gateway” (I keep getting an error). Is it just my computer? Is there another way to copy this list? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. I have a dilemma, I am allergic to lavender. Plants, scented items, oil. Is there an oil I can yse to replace lavender? Thanks,
    DB

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi DB! Unfortunately, there is not one oil that works exactly like lavender does. Each essential oil has unique properties. However, any floral oil (geranium is one of my favorites) works wonderfully in a lot of the same situations – it soothes skin and treats many irritations. I would suggest looking up “essential oils for [ailment]” on a case by case basis. You’ll find plenty of oils that can do the job! :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. Burn yourself a little while cooking? Put a drop or 2 of Lavender essential oil directly on the injury right away. Relief is immediate and no blisters later!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. Got any good solutions for warts? My son has them and just can’t seem to be rid of them, even with prescription meds!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Shelley, scroll down to #9 in this post. Believe it or not, it really works. Have him give it a try and let me if it works for him. http://bit.ly/32LtoQ1

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. Where did you get that “Beginner’s Guide to Essentail Oils” page? Can we get a copy of it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. My daughter is pregnant and has heartburn issues; sometimes little painful. Would she be able to use the peppermint oil while she is pregnant and if so, what would be the best and most effective method for her to disburse the oil.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Cindy, some essential oils can be safe during pregnancy, but it recommended that no essential oils should be used during the first trimester. I would recommend, lavender, orange, lemon or ginger essential oils for her indigestion. Always dilute them and it is best to use them in a diffuser while pregnant. Of course, she should consult her doctor first.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. I can not express enough how important it is how to dilute peppermint oil correctly. I just recently put some directly on my temples because my head was pounding and I wasn’t thinking . I know better! My head was burning so badly, I did forgot all about my headache for a little while. So don’t forget about dilution or you will regret it! Is there anybody else that tea tree oil doesn’t work very well on pimples for? Or is it just me? doesn’t stop me from keep trying though!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Thanks for pointing this out this important reminder, Suzy!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  9. Lavender oil is great for minor burns as well. Just dab it on and the burn is pretty much gone by morning!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. When I have overeaten or have heartburn and am miserable, I put one drop of peppermint oil on the back of my hand and then lick it. Sounds gross lol but my hands are clean! I am not good at getting just one drop out and dropping it on my hand lets me completely cover my tongue with it. My belly woes are gone within a few minutes!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. I love peppermint . It’s great if my stomach is a little unsettled. If that doesn’t do it, then I’ll grab a ginger chew. I was amazed how well the lavender worked on mosquitos bites. Both my parents had bad ones and it made the swelling go down. I was out of my usual chigarid. I also used my owie stick which helped a lot .

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Oh darn. I wish I’d seen the inhaler stick post earlier. I’m getting ready to travel and it would have been nice to make some .

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.

Leave a Comment

17 Comments

  1. Lavender essential oil is one of the few that can be used on skin undiluted by carrier oil. An amazing use is for pimples. When a pimple is first noticed, apply a drop of undiluted lavender essential oil at bedtime directly on the pimple. Leave uncovered unless the oil is likely to be rubbed off during the night, else add another drop to the inside of a bandage and cover. Most of the time, the pimple will be gone by morning. This will not work if the skin is broken, so don’t squeeze, scratch, or pop the pimple first.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. I would love to print this for friends/family but there is an issue with the “gateway” (I keep getting an error). Is it just my computer? Is there another way to copy this list? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. I have a dilemma, I am allergic to lavender. Plants, scented items, oil. Is there an oil I can yse to replace lavender? Thanks,
    DB

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi DB! Unfortunately, there is not one oil that works exactly like lavender does. Each essential oil has unique properties. However, any floral oil (geranium is one of my favorites) works wonderfully in a lot of the same situations – it soothes skin and treats many irritations. I would suggest looking up “essential oils for [ailment]” on a case by case basis. You’ll find plenty of oils that can do the job! :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. Burn yourself a little while cooking? Put a drop or 2 of Lavender essential oil directly on the injury right away. Relief is immediate and no blisters later!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. Got any good solutions for warts? My son has them and just can’t seem to be rid of them, even with prescription meds!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Shelley, scroll down to #9 in this post. Believe it or not, it really works. Have him give it a try and let me if it works for him. http://bit.ly/32LtoQ1

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. Where did you get that “Beginner’s Guide to Essentail Oils” page? Can we get a copy of it?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. My daughter is pregnant and has heartburn issues; sometimes little painful. Would she be able to use the peppermint oil while she is pregnant and if so, what would be the best and most effective method for her to disburse the oil.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Cindy, some essential oils can be safe during pregnancy, but it recommended that no essential oils should be used during the first trimester. I would recommend, lavender, orange, lemon or ginger essential oils for her indigestion. Always dilute them and it is best to use them in a diffuser while pregnant. Of course, she should consult her doctor first.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. I can not express enough how important it is how to dilute peppermint oil correctly. I just recently put some directly on my temples because my head was pounding and I wasn’t thinking . I know better! My head was burning so badly, I did forgot all about my headache for a little while. So don’t forget about dilution or you will regret it! Is there anybody else that tea tree oil doesn’t work very well on pimples for? Or is it just me? doesn’t stop me from keep trying though!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Thanks for pointing this out this important reminder, Suzy!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  9. Lavender oil is great for minor burns as well. Just dab it on and the burn is pretty much gone by morning!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. When I have overeaten or have heartburn and am miserable, I put one drop of peppermint oil on the back of my hand and then lick it. Sounds gross lol but my hands are clean! I am not good at getting just one drop out and dropping it on my hand lets me completely cover my tongue with it. My belly woes are gone within a few minutes!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. I love peppermint . It’s great if my stomach is a little unsettled. If that doesn’t do it, then I’ll grab a ginger chew. I was amazed how well the lavender worked on mosquitos bites. Both my parents had bad ones and it made the swelling go down. I was out of my usual chigarid. I also used my owie stick which helped a lot .

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Oh darn. I wish I’d seen the inhaler stick post earlier. I’m getting ready to travel and it would have been nice to make some .

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.