15 Essential Oils and 5 Herbals for Cellulite: Benefits and Uses {Including DIY Recipes}

Cellulite is the formation of lumps or small dimples in the skin, and can affect both men and women, but is more common in females because of fat, muscle, and connective tissue distribution.

The appearance of cellulite often frustrates individuals, who consequently try to seek out a quick and easy solution. It is common for people to look to celebrities who describe their so-called secrets to removing cellulite.

However, highlighted below are 15 essential oils and 5 herbal supplements that have been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite and how to use them.

Some known causes of cellulite

• Problems with blood and lymph flow (thighs, hips, buttocks, low legs, stomach, and even arms)
• Unhealthy diet
• Lack of physical activities
• Insufficient water intake
• Hormonal shifts
• Stress
• Genetics

15 Essential Oils for Cellulite

Geranium

Geranium essential oil has a lovely scent similar to roses and is sourced from the geranium flower. It has long been used throughout history, primarily for sanitizing wounds, but it’s also great for improving the texture of skin and is one of the best oils for fighting cellulite, thanks to its astringent, antiseptic, tonic, diuretic, hemostatic, and other properties. In addition, it can address hormone imbalance to help prevent the skin from curdling and lumping up. In addition to getting rid of cellulite, it will help moisturize your skin too.

Grapefruit oil

Grapefruit essential oil contains large amounts of the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain, which helps break down cellulite.

A research study using an animal model published in 2010 actually demonstrates how grapefruit oil can reduce adipogenesis (the formation of fat or fatty tissue). (4) With its uplifting citrus scent, grapefruit oil is also a great natural mood booster, too.

DIY: Grapefruit cellulite scrub – Anti Cellulite Eessential Oil Blend

Ingredients

Rosemary

One of the most popular essential oils for use in both cooking and health, rosemary is an evergreen shrub that offers a host of benefits and is considered another one of the best oils for battling cellulite due to its toning and firming properties that reduce the appearance of those unwanted dimples. It also helps to combat lymphatic blockage, further working to get rid of cellulite.

Lemongrass

Native to India, lemongrass offers a wonderful citrus scent and is considered to be one of the most versatile oils there is. It offers both stimulant and sedative properties as well as being a strong astringent. Rich in active compounds like terpenes and citronellal, it helps to remove toxins and enhance blood circulation while its diuretic compounds give it the ability to reduce fluid retention.

Carrot seed

Carrot seed essential oil is derived from the dried seeds of the wild carrot plant. It’s also referred to as wild Queen Anne’s lace, its native origins can be traced back to Egypt, France, and India. It’s said to be one of the most underappreciated essential oils, yet it offers antiseptic, carminative, cytophylactic, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, and vermifuge properties. This is a great oil to help slow the aging process, keep the skin hydrated and fight off cellulite. It’s also considered rather remarkable when it comes to tone the skin and even fading stretch marks. It contains powerful antioxidant and detoxifying properties in addition to triggering the production of collagen and promoting blood circulation.

You can apply carrot seed essential oil diluted in a carrier oil directly to your skin and massage it in, or use it as part of a body brushing process. Choose a brush that contains natural bristles and then apply a few drops of the diluted oil. Brush the skin using semi-circular strokes directed toward your heart. You could simply spot-brush problem areas, but by brushing your entire body, it can help prevent future issues. Use just enough pressure so that the skin begins to tingle just a bit, without causing any discomfort. For best results, brush your skin just before showering. After jumping out of the shower, you can get an added boost by rubbing a little into those cottage cheese areas.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood oil is made from three types of tree families, including cedar, Thuja and juniper. The oils are extracted from the leaves, the bark, and the berries, either using a distillation or chemical extraction. This aromatic essential oil has been used holistically to treat respiratory illnesses, alleviate nervous tension and to repel insects, though it’s also quite effective for balancing the skin and clearing out impurities. As it serves as a diuretic it’s quite valuable when it comes to reducing fluid retention and toxins in the blood, as well as treating cellulite. It even helps to decongest problematic tissues by drawing out excess fat.

Juniper

Juniper essential oil comes from the dried or fresh needles of the Juniperus osteosperma, and J. scopulorus plants. It stems from Bulgaria and has a very long history of naturally preventing long- and short-term illness as they’re high in ‘polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants. Juniper berries were long considered to be protectors of both physical and emotional health, used in medieval times to ward off witches.

Juniper acts as a diuretic by decreasing water retention in the body which helps to treat cellulite. It also helps to improve circulation and eliminate toxins that have built up.

Celery seed

Celery seed oil is steam distilled from the whole or crushed seeds of the Apium graveolens plant, and among its properties include being anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, carminative, nervine, sedative and tonic. The oil helps to remove any excess fluid from the body and offers an array of other benefits such as supporting relaxation, stimulating the nervous system, supporting better sleep and tonic properties that provide greater strength and vigor. It’s also a strong blood purifier which cleans the blood and can cure gallstones and kidney stones.

Here are many popular cellulite treatments available for every woman, who is concerned about the way she looks. Specialists recommend, first of all, start doing special exercises, go in for outdoor sports and activities, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water, perform anti-cellulite massages on a regular basis, as well as use some anti-cellulite creams, lotions, and other cosmetic products.

At that, the most important idea is to understand that all these treatments and solutions may work only when used together, as the parts of a complex anti-cellulite program, because it is practically impossible to get rid of cellulite easily and forever. In addition to that, every woman can use some herbal remedies to support her efforts directed on cellulite reduction and removal. Below, you can find a bit of useful information about some herbs, which can assist in blood flow normalization and cellulite reduction.

Artichoke (Cynara Scolymus). It is one of the world’s oldest vegetables and a miraculous plant, which has a lot of therapeutic properties. It assists in detoxification and elimination of unnecessary fluids and fat from the body. Also, it has positive effects on the digestive system and facilitates the functioning of the liver. German researchers discovered that there are a lot of flavonoids in artichoke juice. Finally, it can help to normalize the level of good cholesterol in the body and relief chronic arthritis pains. Eat cooked artichoke or get a tincture or artichoke leaf extract from a pharmacy.

Cypress

Cypress essential oil, officially known as Cupressus sempervirens, comes from the needle bearing tree in coniferous and deciduous regions. This powerful oil is extracted from an evergreen, with small, rounded and woody cones, scalelike leaves and tiny flowers. It’s valued because of its ability to fight infections, assist respiratory system, eliminate toxins from the body, and works to relieve nervousness and anxiety.

When used topically, it boosts circulation to support balanced fluid levels in the body’s tissues and is believed to help toxins move out of the body. To use it, dilute the oil with olive or coconut oil and then massage it into all affected areas. If you have those frustrating varicose veins, try massaging it into those areas to as it may help to remove the discomfort.

Tangerine

This oil helps to enhance blood circulation as well as digestion to keep toxins moving out of the body. It contains properties such as being an antiseptic, antispasmodic, cytophylactic, depurative, sedative, and stomachic.

Bitter orange

Bitter orange is not only outstanding for maintaining or even raising the metabolism to help one shed stubborn pounds, but it is also believed to help eliminate nasty cellulite. It offers anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, while also helping to promote body detoxification.

To use bitter orange, apply it by employing an anti-cellulite massage.

Spearmint

Spearmint oil is extracted by steam distillation of the flowering tops of spearmint plants. It offers properties that include being an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, emenagogue, insecticide, restorative and stimulant substance, which all work together to combat cellulite. While it smells similar to peppermint oil, it contains very little in the way of menthol, though it has served as an alternative when peppermint is not available.

This oil may help fat metabolism and it’s said to be even more effective when combined with grapefruit essential oil in order to target the largest areas of cellulite.

Fennel

Fennel has potent diuretic properties that help the body speed up the elimination of stored up waste materials and reduces the prevalence of water retention in the tissue. It’s properties also make it practical for breaking up the fatty deposits under the surface of the skin.

While you can use fennel essential oil directly on your skin, it tends to be most effective when blended with other oils, particularly rosemary essential oil. Just add two drops of rosemary essential oil and two drops of fennel essential oil to three teaspoons of olive or jojoba oil. Blend well. The combination of oils helps to negate any possible skin irritation effects as well as preserving its beneficial properties. To use this solution, after blending warm up the mixture in a pan and then massage it into cellulite affected areas, using the finger pads to apply it in a circular motion. Repeat at least once per week for optimal results. To enhance the effects, be sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day to keep the skin hydrated and flush toxins out.

Experts have noted that because aromatherapy oils like these can be absorbed directly into the skin, this treatment helps one to battle cellulite from the inside out. If you’re pregnant, be sure to speak with your doctor first, as rosemary oil may cause unwanted problems.

Patchouli

Patchouli essential oil is derived from a large evergreen perennial that is a member of the Labiatae family. It’s been acclaimed for its diuretic properties as well as its exotic scent. While many think of it as a “hippie” oil, it offers a wealth of benefits that can soothe and heal problems on the inside and out. It’s commonly utilized in practices like anti-cellulite massage and battling water retention. Just rubbed it gently right into your skin.

Sage

Sage itself has long been a very popular medicinal herb. And, today, you can purchase sage essential oil to get the essence of the herb. This oil is especially effective for treating cellulite by using it with a body brush. Apply it as mentioned before, adding a few drops diluted in a carrier oil to a brush with natural bristles. Then brush the skin utilizing semi-circular strokes that are directed toward your heart, massaging it into the entire body, or specifically on problematic areas. Afterward, rinse in the shower, gently pat dry with a towel and massage in more oil using your fingertips.

5 Herbal Supplements for Cellulite

Horsetail Plant (Equisetum)

It contains a lot of silica, which is very useful for strengthening the blood vessels. In addition, it assists in preventing arterial diseases and improves blood circulation to the problematic body areas affected by cellulite. Silica also helps to prevent tuberculosis, tooth cavities and is a very effective element to prevent osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and other problems related to bones.

Asiatic Pennywort or Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica)

Extracts of this plant stimulate the development of good fibrous connective tissues and lower the amounts of collagen in the body areas affected by cellulite. It also helps to strengthen micro-vessels and improve local blood flow. Extracts of Asiatic Pennywort are recommended for treatment of advanced stages of cellulite and are widely used for mesotherapy.

Seaweed (Laminaria Digitala and Fucus Vesiculosus)

These types of seaweed are recommended as very effective natural remedies for weight control. They contain iodine, a necessary element for the normal function of our thyroid gland, which plays a key role in metabolism. That is why using these seaweeds helps to stimulate chemical processes in the body, including the elimination of toxins and other dangerous elements. The extracts of these seaweeds can be taken in the form of tablets or supplements.

Ginkgo Biloba 

This plant is a very popular and effective natural remedy for almost all the problems and ailments, connected with blood vessels and blood circulation. Ginkgo helps to normalize blood flow in the arms and legs, assists in fluid elimination and prevents natural bruises.

Grape Vine (Vitis Vinifera)

It has positive effects on the blood vessels similar to the ones of Ginkgo. The extracts of Grape Vine contain a lot of flavonoids and tannin, necessary for strengthening the blood and lymphatic vessels. Dry extracts of Grape Vine are sold in tablets.