Neuralgia means a pain originating in a nerve. It can apply to any  part of the peripheral nervous system (for example, sciatica, which is pain originating in the sciatic nerve, is a  form of Neuralgia) but the word is most commonly used to mean facial neuralgia. The pain from this can be very intense, and orthodox medicine sometimes employs drastic measures, such as severing the affected nerve, to give relief.

Powerfully analgesic (i.e. pain-killing) essential oils offer a better alternative, and the most effective way of using them is in hot compresses over the affected part of the body. Camomile, Clary Sage, Lavender, Marjoram and Rosemary are the most effective, and can be alternated or blended with each other to give the maximum pain relief.