What Essential Oils Can Help Ease My Fibromyalgia? Written by JC Shannon and Chris Lautischer Fibromyalgia is a terrible condition that more and more people are suffering from. It is hard to find good information on because while it has been around a long time, the condition has only recently been named and studied so not as much is written about it in aromatherapy. Also, what is probably worse, they still don’t know what causes fibromyalgia. It could be hormonal disturbances and chemical imbalances that affect nerve signaling. Other experts believe that with its deep muscle pain, it is linked to stress, illness, or trauma. Still others think it’s hereditary. There have been some studies that link fibromyalgia to sudden trauma to the brain and spinal cord. Keep in mind, though, theories about what causes it are just that. Theories. Further study is needed. Symptoms Common symptoms of fibromyalgia: • Pain — the most common one • Anxiety • Concentration and memory problems — known as “fibro fog” • Depression • Fatigue • Headaches • Irritable bowel syndrome • Morning stiffness • Painful menstrual cramps • Sleep problems • Numbness, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs • Tender points • Urinary symptoms, such as pain or frequency Muscle and tissue pain is the most common of symptoms and it has been described as tender, aching, throbbing, sore, burning, and gnawing. It is all over the body and felt in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joints. Fatigue and sleeplessness are also common. Many describe it as similar to the flu. WebMD has a full list of symptoms with more detailed explanations. Essential Oils (all of which can be found at mydoterra/underthewillow Essential oils can help in your treatment. How much we don’t really know yet. But they can help relieve the symptoms. Here is the list of oils I found: Lemongrass, Sacred Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Patchouli, Clary Sage, Melissa, Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Ginger Root, Sandalwood, Palmarosa, Tea Tree, Lavender. Points to think about • Exercise is important. According to many sources, exercise can help relieve the pain because it increases the body’s production of endorphins, natural painkillers that also boost mood. Starting slowly and gradually increasing the duration and intensity of exercise can help you enjoy the benefits of exercise without feeling more pain. • For more ideas on managing the pain, see our article on Pain Relief with Essential Oils: Sciatica, Muscles, and Joints. That can give you some good ideas. • doTerra has a few blends that can help. They also sell a Defense supplement that could be helpful. Right now, you should only take 1 capsule a day, with a full meal. Particularly if you are not used to taking herbal supplements. After a month, if you don’t have any stomach issues, you can increase to 2 capsules a day, at different times of the day. • While they are not the same, arthritis pains are very similar and you can use many of the same essential oil treatments that are found in our article on Treating Arthritis with Essential Oils. • A proper diet can help. Plenty of fresh vegetables, especially the dark leafy greens, fruits, and whole grains. What is particularly needed depends on the person so pay attention to what works for you and what doesn’t. • Massage, acupuncture, and other forms of therapy could help. Craniosacral therapy might be helpful. It involves light touches on the bones of the skull, as well as the face and mouth, to release tension and improve body movement through movement of the cerebellum fluid. • It’s fairly simple to make your own massage lotion for this. Just mix a few drops of essential oils or blend of choice into a small amount of unscented shea butter lotion and massage in. • The main thing is to try to stay as positive as you can and avoid the negative people who tell you to “snap out of it!” Just know that you are in for the long haul and you can handle it and you’ll deal with it day by day. Recipes *Please note: With any recipe’s involving bath or massage blends, always test on a small part of your skin first before using all over your body. Please be sure your skin can handle the blend before being covered in it. JC’s Pain Reliever Balm • 1 ounce Beeswax • 3 ounces Virgin Coconut oil • 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil • 1 teaspoon Avocado oil • 10 drops Peppermint • 10 drops Eucalyptus • 5 drops Clove Bud • 3 drops Ginger Root Gently heat the beeswax and coconut oil together in a double boiler until just melted. Remove from heat and mix in vitamin E oil and avocado oil. Then add essential oils and mix well. Pour into container and allow to cool completely before closing lid. Label and use on sore joints as needed. Fibromyalgia Massage #1 • 5 drops Bergamot • 9 drops Palmarosa • 3 drops Tea Tree • 3 drops Ravintsara • 1 ounce carrier oil Gently massage into affected areas daily. (1) Fibromyalgia Massage #2 • 3 drops Lemongrass • 1 drops German Chamomile • 2 drops Lavender • 2 drops Rosemary • 1 tablespoon Carrier oil Gently massage into affected areas daily. (1) Sleepy Time Balm • 1/2 cup Lemon Balm leaves • 1/3 cup dried Mugwort Leaves • 1/3 cup Chamomile flowers • 1/3 cup Lavender buds • 3 cups Almond oil or FCO (Fractionated Coconut Oil) • 2,000 IU Vitamin E oil • 3-4 tablespoons Beeswax • 40 drops Lavender oil • 20 drops Orange or Bergamot oil • 10 drops Rose Otto (or 20 drops Blend of Rose from Rocky Mountain Oils) Prepare infused oil: Put base oil in a double boiler. Crush or tear dried herbs into smaller pieces and add to oil. Stir thoroughly to blend. Bring mixture almost to simmer (125 – 135 degrees). Do not put lid on pot. Allow to heat over low heat for 4 hours. Check temperature and stir it every 30 minutes. After 4 hours, remove from heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Carefully strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter. Squeeze all oil out of herbs then discard the herbs. Add vitamin E oil and stir very thoroughly. Add to a jar, label, cap when completely cool and store in a dark cabinet. Makes 2 1/2 cups. Use within 1 year. Prepare balm: Combine 1 cup of infusion and the beeswax in a double boiler. Warm over low heat until beeswax is just melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Add the essential oils and stir thoroughly. Pour into a container, label, and set aside for 30 minutes to thicken. Makes approximately 1 1/4 cups. Use within 1 year. To apply: Gently massage a small amount into your chest, back, temples, around your ears, under your nose, and on your throat. (2) Finally, Fibromyalgia is a really tough condition to have to deal with. It takes over your entire day and it can be debilitating. But there’s hope. What do you like to do to relieve your fibromyalgia? Please share in the comment section at the bottom of the page. Give everyone else the benefit of your knowledge. References 1. Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils In Practice, 2nd edition; by Jane Buckle 2. Hands On Healing Remedies: 150 Recipes for Herbal Balms, Salves, Oils, Liniments, and other Topical Therapies, by Stephanie L. Tourles mydoterra/underthewillow
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:05:56 +0000
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