Jo's Health Corner: Roman Chamomile

Essential Oils & The Nervous System

The nervous system is the body's communication network and control center. The nervous system senses changes inside and outside the body and interpretes these. It also initiates actions such as glandular secretions or muscular contractions as a response to what the nervous system interprets.

It is important to acknowledge the connection between the physical and psychological aspects of our well being. The nervous system is part of the physical make up but the psychological process also takes place in the nervous system. When there's a disease on the physical level it will affect the psychological and when there's a disease on the psychological level it will affect the physical.

Aromatherapy is unique, and Battaglia says no other holistic modality can offer such a multidimensional approach to dealing with conditions associated with the nervous system. The aromatherapy massage is very nurturing and therapeutic, the essential oils have pharmacological activity, the olfaction has powerful influence of ANS memory and emotions, and there's is a caring relationship between the therapist and the client.

According to Battaglia, the following properties of essential oils are useful when dealing with conditions associated with the nervous system:

Antidepressants
Battaglia says the following essential oils can be used to alleviate depression:
~ Sandalwood, ylang ylang, neroli, jasmine, geranium, lemon, lavender, rose otto and absolute, bergamot, basil and clary sage.

Soporifics
Battaglia says sweet marjoram, lavender, and valerian can be used to induce sleep.

Nervines
There are two types of nervines - sedative and stimulant nervines. Nervines strengthen and tone the nerves.

According to Battaglia, the stimulant nervines strengthen the nervous system and are useful in stress, shock or nervous debility. He says the following oils are useful nervines:
~ Vetiver, clary sage, basil, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, angelica root and juniper berry.

Battaglia says relaxant nervines can help alleviate tension and stress. He says some excellent nervines are:
~ Bergamot, Roman chamomile, sweet marjoram, valerian, sandalwood, neroli and lavender.

Analgesics
According to Battaglia, analgesic can be used for migraines and headaches. He says the following oils are analagesics:
~ Eucalyptus, cajuput, peppermint, sweet marjoram, spike lavender, lavender, thyme and rosemary.

Antispasmodics
According to Battaglia, antispasmodics help prevent or alleviate spasms or convulsions, and may be beneficial for treating migraines, headaches and muscular spasms caused by nervous tension. Battaglia says the following oils are antispasmodics:
~ Clary sage, Roman chamomile, yarrow, sweet marjoram and lavender.

Behavior and attitude can influence our resistance to disease and positive imagery and meditation have been used in cancer treatments for years. It is also important to consider eating a well balance diet, get enough rest and sleep, use relaxation techniques and consider other natural remedies such as flower essences and herbs.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Check out my safety page to make sure you are aware of any contrindications before you use essential oils. Some oils are not suitable when suffering from certain conditions. Also, Read this Before You Start Using Essential oils. Some oils should not be applied prior to sun exposure so make sure you check this list before spending time in the sun.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.
Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Source:

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

This post is linked to:
Wildcrafting Wednesday

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Hyperactivity

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Remember to use good judgement and don't hesitate to seek medical help when you think it is needed. This information is not meant to prescribe or diagnose, it is only for information and education purposes only.

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Essential Oils & Menopause Part 1

As I mentioned many times before, aromatherapy is considered to be one of the most effective methods of dealing with female concerns such as menstrual, pregnancy and menopausal problems. The aroma of the essential oil is very powerful, through the essential oils' molecular structure and fragrance, it can influence the limbic lobe and hypothalamus. Inhalation of essential oils is said to stimulate production of hormones from the hypothalamus.

Symptoms
Menopause affect women differently but most of the symptoms include dizziness, difficult breathing, hot flushes, depression, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and headache. The average age of menopause is 50 years but some women go through an early menopause in the 30s or early 40s while others continue to menstruate until the late 50s.

Progesterone
The level of progesterone decline as a women age and this can lead to osteoporosis and an increase risk of depressions, mood swings and uterine and breast cancer. Estrogen levels can also decrease and increase the risk of heart disease. The hormones decline to a point where menstruation ceases. The Essential Oils Desk Reference suggests that the topical application of progesterone and prenolone cream is the most effective way to replace and boost the declining hormone levels.

Dr. Dan Purser, M.D, is also promoting the use of progesterone in his new book, Progesterone The Ultimate Women's Feel Good Hormone.

Other things to consider:

Exercise is important.
Avoid stress as much as possible.
Avoid or limit, coffee, alcohol, refined food, artificial additives.
Increase water intake to 2-3 liters/quarts a day, especially if suffering from hot flashes.
Battaglia recommends to take 1,000 mg capsule of evening primrose 3 times a day if suffering from dry itching skin and dry vagina. Increase water to 2-3 liters a day.

So, what kind of essential oils can be used to make life easier during the change of life?

Battaglia recommends:

Geranium since it is a hormonal balancer
Rose since it tones the uterus and regulates the menstrual cycle
Chamomile, jasmine, neroli, and ylang ylang since they are antidepressant and calming. These can be helpful when used in a bath, massage or when diffused.

Battaglia also recommends sweet fennel, and bergamot.

The Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends the single oils clary sage, sage and geranium.

Other posts in this series:
Hot Flashes

Don't forget to check with your doctor before you start a new health program.

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johanna is an aromatherapist and she is passionate about educating people about health, essential oils, real food, natural remedies, and nutrition so they make healthier choices in their lives.

Follow Johanna on twitter and facebook for more health tips and information.

Sources:

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

The Essential Oils Desk Reference. (Fifth edition 2011). Life Science Publishing

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This post is linked to:
The Gathering Spot, Fat Tuesday, Titus 2day, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Healthy Tuesday Hop, Domestically Divine, Teach Me Tuesday, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, Encourage One Another, WFMW, Raising Homemakers, Party Wave Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Wellness Wednesday, Natural Living, Simple Lives Thursday, The Homeacre Hop, The Busy Bee, All Things Thursday, Hearts 4 Home, Fight Back Friday, Small FootPrint Fridays, Sunday School Blog Carnival, Natural Living Monday, Mop it Up Monday, The Mommy Club, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways

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Emergency Preparedness – High Blood Pressure

This is my third post in my Emergency Preparedness series where I address an important issue as lack of access to medicine and medical care in case of emergencies.

What if access to medication and medical care is denied?

In my first post, Emergency Preparedness, I was wondering how people on prescribed medications would handle an emergency situation if access to medication and medical care is denied. I won't bore you and repeat all I previously wrote so I encourage you to go back to my previous posts and read them. ( Some things on this post are a repeat but I felt some things needed to be repeated) My other posts cover a nxiety & depression, pain , diabetes and allergy.

I urge you to take charge of your own health so you're better prepared for any situation where you might not be able to fill your prescription or use any medical facilities.

Natural solutions

Below are some natural solutions to the most prescribed drugs in America today.

Why essential oils?

You can stockpile essential oils, and they have no expiration date if they are stored correctly. Herbs also lose their potency over time.
They are small enough so they can be put in a pocket if needed.
They are more potent so less amount is needed for healing. You have to drink 26 cups of peppermint tea in order to get the same healing effect as one drop of therapeutic peppermint essential oil.

Treat the body holistically
It is important to remember to take a holistic approach to healing and not only rely on natural remedies. Dietary changes, living a toxin free life, exercise, sufficient rest and sleep, and incorporating other healing therapies into your life should also be considered.

Okay, here we go:

#2 High Blood Pressure medications are some of the most prescribed drugs in our country

According to CDC, it is estimated that 68 millions of Americans high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk for stroke and heart disease, the leading causes of death in America. Instead of treating high blood pressure with dietary and lifestyle changes most Americans choose to take medication for their high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure according to Experts

Avoid all alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
According to Battaglia, use garlic, onions and ginger in your cooking. He says garlic has been shown to decrease the systolic pressure by 20-30 mm Hg, and the diastolic by 10-20 mm Hg.
According to Dr.Mercola, cut back on the fructose. "Fructose is a major promoter of hypertension - far more so than salt the connecting link between fructose consumption and hypertension lies in the uric acid produced. Uric acid is a byproduct of fructose metabolism, and increased uric acid levels drive up your blood pressure" Mercola
Cutting out fructose and grains from your diet effectively eliminates one of the underlying causes of a number of health problems, including hypertension. (Mercola)
Make sure that the carbohydrates come primarily from vegetables. (Mercola)
Normalize your omega 3-6 ratio. Most are getting way too much of the omega 6 in their diet but not enough omega 3. (Mercola)
Start an exercise regimen.

Time for the oils:

According to Battaglia, essential oils will alleviate hypertension by their:

Hypotensive effect
Sedating and calming effect
Detoxifying effect

Battaglia thinks the most important oils for lowering blood pressure are lavender, ylang ylang and sweet marjoram.

Battaglia also recommends to use a selection of sedative, uplifting and antidepressant oils such as frankincense, Roman chamomile, bergamot, and neroli.

Remember

Never quit any prescribed medication on your own since it may be dangerous. Some medications needs to be weaned of slowly. Consult with your doctor first.

Thanks for reading and come back for my 4th part in this series to find out the solutions to the other medications on the list!

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils:

Topical Application

Inhaling Essential Oils

Are You Diffusing the Oils Correctly?

How to Dilute Essential Oils

Vita Flex Technique

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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Sources:

Connie and Alan Higley, (Twelfth Edition, revised 2010). Reference Guide for Essential Oils. Abundant Health
Gary Young, ND (2006). Essential Oils, Integrative Medical Guide. Essential Science Publishing

Salvatore Battaglia (1995). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. The Perfect Potion Pty Ltd

Julie Behling (2011). Medical Preparedness for Adults E-book

The Essential Oils Desk Reference. (Fifth edition 2011). Life Science Publishing

Photo credit

This post is linked to:
Simple Lives Thursday

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Essential Oils & Allergies

The weather here in California has been lovely the last few days and I have enjoyed sitting outside soaking up some sun. Spring is the time when we feel awake and start living again after a long winter. If you suffer from allergies you probably don't enjoy the spring as much as you would like to. You probably suffer from congestion, have watery eyes, runny nose, earaches, and headaches. I know many people that have reduced their suffering by using natural remedies for their allergies. If you haven't tried natural remedies for your allergies yet, then it might be time to give it a try.

Triggers

As most of us know allergies can be triggered by many different things such as environmental chemicals, pollen, food, insect bites dander and dust. People with allergies may suffer from the following:

Cramps, diarrhea, vomiting
Dermatitis, rashes
Itching lips, swelling of the tongue or lips
Wheezing and labored breathing

Essential oils may be helpful
Essential oils may be of help when suffering from allergies but it is also important to look into what is causing the allergy. Looking into the underlying causes of your allergy is important, my post Do You Have Allergies? will give you other natural tips to consider when suffering from allergies.

What we used on our dog
We managed to get our dog's congestionunder control with the help of frankincense, but we also changed her diet. We put a couple of drops of frankincense on our hands and rubbed them together, then cupped them over her nose so that she could inhale the oil. It was an instant relief from her congestion. Our dog preferred frankincense since it also calmed her from the panic attacks she had when she couldn't breath.

"An allergy is a damaging immune system response to a substance that does not bother most people." Reference Guide for Essential Oils

Antihistamines
According to the Reference Guide for Essential Oils, Roman Chamomile, lavender and Melaleuca (tea tree) have antihistamine properties. It is important to avoid chamomile if you're allergic to the ragweed. Studies how that luteolin- 7-orutinoside in peppermint has antihistamine properties.

The Reference Guide for Essential Oils writes that patchouli, elemi (rashes), eucalyptus, melissa - Lemon Balm (skin and respiratory), and spkikenard are other single oils used for allergies.

What we do for allergies:

We apply lavender to the sinuses to work as an antihistamine.
We apply to bottom of feet.
We put 2 or more drops into the palm of our left hand, rub clockwise with the flat palm or the right hand. Cup our hands together over the nose and mouth and inhale deeply. Don't touch your eyes!
We apply oils to a cotton ball, tissue, or handkerchief and place in the air vent of the car. Make sure you don't use any synthetic materials.
Rub 2 or more drops on our wrists, chest, neck, or under the nose and ears. (Indirect inhalation)

Before you leave:

I recommend that you always perform a skin patch test when you try a new oil.

If you're new to essential oils you might want to check out my Getting Started Guide.

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Sources:

Connie and Alan Higley, (Twelfth Edition, revised 2010). Reference Guide for Essential Oils. Abundant Health

Photo credit

This post is linked to:
Titus 2sdays, Domestically Divine, Mop it Up Monday, Mostly Homemade, Thank Your Body Thursday
Seasonal Celebration Wednesday, Party Wave Wednesday, Simple Lives Thursday, Sunday School Blog Carnival, Natural Living Monday, The Gathering Spot, Teach Me Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Waste not Want Not Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, WFMW, Tuesday Greens, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways
Wildcrafting Wednesday, Whole Foods Wednesday, The Mommy Club, Natural Living Link-Up, The Homeacre Hop, Small Foot Print Fridays, Healthy Tuesday Hop, All Things Thursday Link Up, Mama Moments Monday, Wellness Wednesday

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Anti-Inflammatory Essential Oils

Inflammation can be caused by conditions such as poor diet, bacteria, physical injury, hormonal imbalance or chemicals. Certain oils have shown to be excellent for reducing inflammation. German Chamomile for example, contains the blue compound azulene, a compound with high anti-inflammatory properties.

Certain oils are better for certain types of inflammation,according to the "Essential Oils Integrative Guide":

Roman Chamomile and lavender are best suited for inflammation caused by bacterial infection.
Myrrh and helichrysum are better suited for inflammation caused by tissue/capillary damage, bruising.
Ravensara, hyssop, and thyme are best for inflammation caused by viral infection.

Some essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties:
German chamomile, Roman chamomile, clove, palo santo, peppermint, nutmeg, lavender, tea tree, basil, geranium, bay, bergamot, Dorado Azul, ginger and wintergreen.

Not sure how to apply the oils? Visit these pages to learn how to apply the oils: