You didn’t specify whether it was osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? I am thinking he has RA but I put some home remedies for both up. I think he will need more than essential oils. If anything, topical peppermint oil massaged in may help. If the protocol for RA below is too complex, just stick to alkalizing the body with organic raw apple cider vinegar, which can help both forms of arthritis. Just pick up a bottle for several bucks in the health food section or in a health food store.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Alkalization: Slowly pour two teaspoons (to two tablespoons) of organic raw apple cider vinegar over 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). After it stops fizzing, add one cup of water and drink two to three times a day for four to five days a week (on an empty stomach).

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis happens because as we age we develop a vitamin D deficiency and lifelong acid bone degrades the bone and the immune system goes down and pathogens (e.g. mycobacterium and staph like bacteria) set in.

1. Oral Borax (sodium tetraborate): Mix 1/8 teaspoon (women) to 1/4 teaspoon (men) of borax in one liter (e.g. taking half cup to one cup every hour or so) for one to three days. It often goes away within one to three days. DO NOT CONFUSE BORAX WITH BORIC ACID! DO NOT TAKE BORIC ACID IN PLACE OF BORAX!

2. Alkalization: Slowly pour two teaspoons (to two tablespoons) of organic raw apple cider vinegar over 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). After it stops fizzing, add one cup of water and drink two to three times a day for four to five days a week (on an empty stomach).

3. Magnesium (e.g. magnesium citrate or magnesium malate or magnesium gluconate) (reduces pain and kills the staph bacteria): Take 250 milligrams taken three to four times a day for three days. Thereafter, take 250 to 500 milligrams of magnesium a day for four to five days a week. If 250 to 500 milligrams of magnesium causes undesired loose stools, reduce to 100 milligrams until there is no effect.

If you cannot tolerate oral magnesium then try transdermal magnesium oil (a preparation that is rubbed into the skin). It is much cheaper to make it yourself using a magnesium chloride sold in aquarium shops: Mix equal parts of magnesium and hot water and store in a glass spray bottle. Eight sprays equal 100 milligrams. It may sting the skin. It can be left on or washed off after 20 minutes.

4. Oral Vitamin D3 (the natural form Cholecalciferol): Take 5,000 IU (to 10,000) IU of vitamin D a day. If the pain is reduced in the next few days, continue at this dosage for four to five days a week for two to three months. If you take high doses such as 10,000 IU of vitamin D, it is advisable to do under a doctor’s supervision. Thereafter, Take 2,000 (to 4,000) IU a day for four to five days a week and test your vitamin D levels yearly (25 hydroxy vitamin D blood test).

5. Vitamin K2 (key in maintaining bone mineralization and limiting the formation and lifespan of osteoclasts, cells which break down bone) reduces pain within a few days): Take 200 micrograms a day for four to five days for two to three months.

6. Aloe Vera (high in the anti-inflammatory allantoin):
Oral Aloe Vera Juice (help with joint swelling from the inside): Take one to two tablespoons of aloe vera a day for four to five days a week (with each meals).
Topical Aloe Vera Gel (can provide immediate joint mobility and some pain relief): Apply aloe vera to swollen and painful joints) as needed.

7. Oral Hyaluronic Acid (sodium hyaluronate): Mix 500 milligrams of hyaluronic acid powder and two teaspoons of sea salt in two cups of water. Store this formula in the refrigerator. Take eight capfuls (using the cap from the bottle you are storing the mixture in) three times a day on an empty stomach for four to five days a week for a few months.

8. Topical Iodine Foot Painting (anti-inflammatory properties): Paint a three to four inch square of iodine on bottom of both feet weekly (no more than four days in a row and then three days off).

9. Oral Zinc (e.g. zinc acetate) (the serum zinc levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients are often low): Take 50 milligrams of zinc once a week while the ailment persists.

For additional rheumatoid arthritis remedies, refer to the source links below.

Overall, the effects of essential oils may be divided into two basic groups. Some essential oils have actual physical effects. For example, eucalyptus oil can be inhaled to help clear sinuses and the respiratory tract. This would obviously relieve some symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (URI). Some oils may be used topically (directly on the skin, where they would usually be absorbed by the body, or on a wound) to possibly relieve swelling or fight certain infections.

You can read more about various oils here:
http://www.aromatherapy-blends.net/aromatherapy-essential-oils.htm

You didn’t specify whether it was osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? I am thinking he has RA but I put some home remedies for both up. I think he will need more than essential oils. If anything, topical peppermint oil massaged in may help. If the protocol for RA below is too complex, just stick to alkalizing the body with organic raw apple cider vinegar, which can help both forms of arthritis. Just pick up a bottle for several bucks in the health food section or in a health food store.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Alkalization: Slowly pour two teaspoons (to two tablespoons) of organic raw apple cider vinegar over 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). After it stops fizzing, add one cup of water and drink two to three times a day for four to five days a week (on an empty stomach).

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis happens because as we age we develop a vitamin D deficiency and lifelong acid bone degrades the bone and the immune system goes down and pathogens (e.g. mycobacterium and staph like bacteria) set in.

1. Oral Borax (sodium tetraborate): Mix 1/8 teaspoon (women) to 1/4 teaspoon (men) of borax in one liter (e.g. taking half cup to one cup every hour or so) for one to three days. It often goes away within one to three days. DO NOT CONFUSE BORAX WITH BORIC ACID! DO NOT TAKE BORIC ACID IN PLACE OF BORAX!

2. Alkalization: Slowly pour two teaspoons (to two tablespoons) of organic raw apple cider vinegar over 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). After it stops fizzing, add one cup of water and drink two to three times a day for four to five days a week (on an empty stomach).

3. Magnesium (e.g. magnesium citrate or magnesium malate or magnesium gluconate) (reduces pain and kills the staph bacteria): Take 250 milligrams taken three to four times a day for three days. Thereafter, take 250 to 500 milligrams of magnesium a day for four to five days a week. If 250 to 500 milligrams of magnesium causes undesired loose stools, reduce to 100 milligrams until there is no effect.

If you cannot tolerate oral magnesium then try transdermal magnesium oil (a preparation that is rubbed into the skin). It is much cheaper to make it yourself using a magnesium chloride sold in aquarium shops: Mix equal parts of magnesium and hot water and store in a glass spray bottle. Eight sprays equal 100 milligrams. It may sting the skin. It can be left on or washed off after 20 minutes.

4. Oral Vitamin D3 (the natural form Cholecalciferol): Take 5,000 IU (to 10,000) IU of vitamin D a day. If the pain is reduced in the next few days, continue at this dosage for four to five days a week for two to three months. If you take high doses such as 10,000 IU of vitamin D, it is advisable to do under a doctor’s supervision. Thereafter, Take 2,000 (to 4,000) IU a day for four to five days a week and test your vitamin D levels yearly (25 hydroxy vitamin D blood test).

5. Vitamin K2 (key in maintaining bone mineralization and limiting the formation and lifespan of osteoclasts, cells which break down bone) reduces pain within a few days): Take 200 micrograms a day for four to five days for two to three months.

6. Aloe Vera (high in the anti-inflammatory allantoin):
Oral Aloe Vera Juice (help with joint swelling from the inside): Take one to two tablespoons of aloe vera a day for four to five days a week (with each meals).
Topical Aloe Vera Gel (can provide immediate joint mobility and some pain relief): Apply aloe vera to swollen and painful joints) as needed.

7. Oral Hyaluronic Acid (sodium hyaluronate): Mix 500 milligrams of hyaluronic acid powder and two teaspoons of sea salt in two cups of water. Store this formula in the refrigerator. Take eight capfuls (using the cap from the bottle you are storing the mixture in) three times a day on an empty stomach for four to five days a week for a few months.

8. Topical Iodine Foot Painting (anti-inflammatory properties): Paint a three to four inch square of iodine on bottom of both feet weekly (no more than four days in a row and then three days off).

9. Oral Zinc (e.g. zinc acetate) (the serum zinc levels of rheumatoid arthritis patients are often low): Take 50 milligrams of zinc once a week while the ailment persists.

For additional rheumatoid arthritis remedies, refer to the source links below.

Overall, the effects of essential oils may be divided into two basic groups. Some essential oils have actual physical effects. For example, eucalyptus oil can be inhaled to help clear sinuses and the respiratory tract. This would obviously relieve some symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (URI). Some oils may be used topically (directly on the skin, where they would usually be absorbed by the body, or on a wound) to possibly relieve swelling or fight certain infections.

You can read more about various oils here:
http://www.aromatherapy-blends.net/aromatherapy-essential-oils.htm