DoTERRA
Deep Blue® Rub
Seemingly small, insignificant aches and pains can have a debilitating effect when they last long enough. I don’t know about you but I hate taking medicine for anything that isn’t too serious or that I think I can power through on my own. So then I’m stuck with these “little” pains that I can’t really concentrate through anyways.
That’s where the Deep Blue Rub comes in. Using this cream can supposedly help relieve those annoying little aches. Let’s see how.
Pricing
The Deep Blue Rub comes in 2 different sizes that can be purchased on the DoTERRA website; a 4 oz bottle is $29.95 (retailing for $39) and a 1 liter bottler is $189 (retailing for $252).
Where Can I Buy It?
You won’t be able to find DoTERRA products anywhere in stores. If you wish to purchase any of the company’s products, you can do so on the DoTERRA website or a third party website like Amazon.
The Breakdown
This lotion was formulated to relieve any bothersome aches or problem areas. When applied topically, this cream provides a cooling sensation followed by some warmth.
DoTERRA claims that the cream will give you soft skin and will not leave behind a greasy cast. The cream targets the areas of your skin that are giving you aches and pains and provides a relieving sensation.
Who Is It For?
The Deep Blue Rub is marketed towards athletes. It is also said to be the choice for sports practitioners and massage therapists.
How Do I Use It?
This is not a full-body lotion. Use it only on the areas of your body that are giving you trouble. After applying to these areas, massage the cream into your skin. If you need more intense help, apply the Deep Blue oil blend also offered on the company website and follow with the Deep Blue Rub.
Avoid areas of skin with cuts or wounds. Avoid tightly wrapping the part of your body you have applied the lotion to as well. No heating pads for a little while either!
How Does It Work?
The Deep Blue Rub works through a blend of active ingredients, including essential oils and plant extracts.
The essential oil blend found in the formula is actually a smaller portion (about 5 mL) of the DoTERRA Deep Blue essential oil blend. This blend contains Peppermint, Wintergreen, Camphor, Osmanthus, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, and Blue Chamomile.
The Oil Hype
Essential oil use has grown significantly over the past few years. It seemed like every day another friend or Instagrammer was touting the benefits of using the oils for everything from an upset stomach to adding it to a relaxing bath. The real serious users were equipped with a diffuser even, allowing efficient pumping of said oils directly into their atmosphere. Some companies even convinced users that using an E-cig to inhale the diffused essential oils into their lungs was somehow beneficial.
So are there any real benefits to using essential oils on the skin of athletes? Let’s see.
According to Naturallivingideas.com, essential oils are effective for those suffering from chronic pain, like arthritis. Certain oils are able to alleviate muscle aches and pains when applied topically as well.
Since this product contains essential oils as active ingredients, we wanted to take a closer look at what gives these oils their power. “Essential” was actually coined from the term “quintessential”. The idea combines the 4 elements; earth, air, fire, and water and the 5th element of quintessence. This represents the “spirit” that has been removed from a plant. The oil comes from the distillation process which removes the “life force”. Within the plant, the oils protect it against bacteria and infections.
Essential oils contain different properties that allow them to be beneficial when used in a variety of methods. We are going to focus on their use when applied topically. Essential oils are antirheumatic, which means they have the ability to relieve stiff and painful joints. They also act as mild sedatives, which help with relieving aches and pains as well. The antimicrobial properties of these oils kill any bacteria or infections. Some of our discomfort comes from inflamed or swollen joints. Applying certain essential oils can help reduce this inflammation. Some research has shown that oils can help reduce inflammation, depression, sleep disorders, and headaches (Healthline).
Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA. This means not all companies that sell oils will put out quality products so it’s important to be careful when purchasing.
A Closer Look
The formula contains certain oils that should work to help target the aches an athlete usually gets so we wanted to take a look at these oils.
Let’s start with Peppermint. This oil is among the most commonly used and has a long history of medicinal use. It has been well-studied and is useful for athletes as it has performance-boosting properties. Physiological changes actually occur, including blood pressure and breathing. When applied topically, peppermint has been shown to improve athletic performance and pain tolerance. The cooling effects also provide relief after a day of physical activities.
Wintergreen oil contains something called methyl salicylate, the active ingredient in aspirin. The pain-relieving properties of wintergreen have been used by Native Americans for a variety of ailments. The oil is also anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic and can help relieve tired and achey joints. Studies have shown that this oil can relieve pain quickly. Wintergreen is a very potent essential oil and can be dangerous if swallowed.
Lavender is among the most popular oils and is known for its pleasant aroma. Lesser-known are its antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties.
Chamomile is another anti-inflammatory oil and has been used to relieve symptoms of PMS, muscular pains, headaches, and neuralgia. Chamomile tea is used to relax and relieve stress and applying the oil topically has the same effect. It promotes a peaceful state of mind, as well as relaxing the body.
Ylang Ylang oil is used to lift the mood. According to DoTERRA, rubbing this oil onto the back of your neck can have an uplifting effect. It is actually one of the main ingredients in the cult-favorite perfume Chanel No. 5! This oil can help increase blood flow, relieve inflammation, and regulate heartbeat (Dr. Axe).
Camphor is another antispasmodic oil. It also has anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and sedative properties. It is very powerful and should never be ingested. When applied topically, this oil can relieve burns and bruises.
Osmanthus essential oil is moisturizing when applied to the skin It is great when used as a massage oil and can relax the muscles.
Blue Tansy oil is best known for skin care and muscle pain-relief. Vogue called this oil the new Super-Ingredient.
Helichrysum essential oil can be used to heal rashes, infections, and various wounds. The flavonoids and terpene in the oil can prevent the growth of bacteria.
What Do People Think?
On Amazon, the Rub holds a 4.7 star rating, based on 1,500 reviews.
Customers rave about how much the cream has relieved their various aches and pains. Though it is marketed towards athletes, it seems that many people use the product for many different things, not just athletic pains.
Worth Trying?
Yes, we think you would really like this cream as a general muscle-pain reliever We like that the active ingredients are natural essential oils and the reviews are excellent.
Wellness Tip:
If you don’t have any problems with achey joints or muscles but do suffer from chronic headaches, try rubbing a small amount on your temples for a cooling sensation and hopefully some relief.