Evidence supporting the use of: Oil (unspecified)
For the health condition: Backache
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Oils, often unspecified or in the form of herbal or essential oils, have a long history of traditional use for the management of backache and musculoskeletal discomfort. In many traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various folk remedies worldwide, topical application and massage with oils (such as sesame, mustard, eucalyptus, or mentholated oils) are commonly employed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation of the muscles. The mechanism is typically attributed to the warming effect, improvement of local blood circulation, or the analgesic properties of certain plant constituents within the oils.
However, direct scientific validation for the use of unspecified "oil" for backache is limited. Some specific essential oils (like lavender or peppermint oil) have shown mild analgesic or anti-inflammatory effects in small studies, but evidence is inconsistent, and most studies focus on massage therapy as a whole rather than oil alone. Systematic reviews generally conclude that while massage with or without oil may provide temporary relief for nonspecific low back pain, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to support any particular oil's efficacy.
In summary, while the use of oil for backache is strongly rooted in traditional practice, robust scientific validation for unspecified oils is lacking, and any beneficial effects are likely due to the massage or warmth rather than the oil itself.
Other ingredients used for Backache
ashwagandhabeta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
milk
moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
wood betony
paw paw
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
akebia
Antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Butternut
Bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Costus
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Deer Root
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
David's Milkberry
Dwarf Nettle
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Spikenard
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Oil (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Arthritis
Backache
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Colds (decongestant)