AROMATHERAPY ANSWERS
Your Practical Guide to Common Ailments
by
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“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.”
Galileo Galilei
And yet, that’s exactly how we may feel when we do something that causes pain. Of course, not every pain is caused because we have forgotten to use our sense, reason, and intellect; but lack of judgment and good sense is at the root of many injuries.
Pain serves as an alert to potential or actual damage to the body. The definition for damage is quite broad; pain can arise from injury as well as disease. Once the brain has received and processed the pain message and coordinated an appropriate response, pain has served its purpose. The body uses natural painkillers, called endorphins, to derail further pain messages.
Pain is generally divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is associated with injury, headaches, disease, and other conditions. It usually goes away once the condition that precipitated it is resolved. The time limit used to define chronic pain typically ranges from three to six months, although some healthcare professionals prefer a more flexible definition and consider chronic pain any pain that lasts beyond a normal healing time.
Pain can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health and impede recovery from illness or injury. Unrelieved pain can become a syndrome in its own right and cause a downward spiral in a person’s health and outlook. Managing pain properly facilitates recovery, prevents additional health complications, and improves an individual’s quality of life.
To control chronic pain, try relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation. Participating in normal activities and exercising can also help control pain levels by producing endorphins.
Consult your physician if you cannot identify the cause of the pain, the pain seems to intensify, or if you have other symptoms such as nausea, fever, or rash.
Pain responds well to essential oils including Chamomile, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender, Marjoram, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, and Vetiver. Refer to the “Essential Oil Chart” for contraindications, warnings, or cautions about using essential oils.
When you first experience pain, the Pain Relief blend is great for reducing the pain. However, keep in mind that pain reminds you not to overdo or shorten the healing process, so use this blend just enough to relieve the significant pain.
Nobody wants to experience pain of any kind, but pain can be viewed as a positive message from your body, because it warns you that you are doing something that is damaging, and needs to be addressed. Don’t think that because you are in pain, you are a wimp (like my brothers so ruthlessly teased me); realize that pain may be telling you something important.
To treat bruises, muscle aches, or sprains anywhere on your body, apply the essential oil blends in a straight upward motion; see the “Aches & Pains” section for details.
Pain Relief
- 5 drops Chamomile
- 5 drops Lavender
- 5 drops Lemon
- 5 drops Peppermint
- 10 drops Rosemary
Mix all oils together. Add the essential oils to 2 tablespoons olive oil. Gently massage the blend into painful muscles.
When the pain has eased, you may want to switch to the Pain Soother blend because it also contains oils that can draw deep-seated pain out.
- 10 drops Chamomile
- 5 drops Clove
- 8 drops
- 8 drops Ginger
- 8 drops Nutmeg
Add all the to 2 ounces of base lotion or 2 tablespoons carrier oil (any oil listed in the “Carrier Oils” chapter). Apply a small amount of the blend to the area of injury and the areas immediately above and below the site of injury. Apply the blend 4 to 6 times a day for the first 5 – 7 days until the pain subsides.
You may want to continue to use the blend once daily simply to avoid the recurrence of pain.
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About the Book
From acne to wrinkles, from diaper rash to stress, “Aromatherapy Answers” gives you easy-to-understand information and instructions on how to make and use aromatherapy blends for specific ailments.
This book is simple enough for the beginner and yet comprehensive enough for the expert. It provides the core foundations needed for working with essential oils. Additionally, for each ailment you can first read more about the characteristics of the condition to assure you are choosing the right blend. Then, select from the numerous proven blends and follow the simple steps to respond to the everyday ailments in life.
Time after time, you’ll find the aromatherapy answers you need. This book will become a well-used reference in your library.
About the Author
Judith Fitzsimmons, the author of “Seasons of Aromatherapy” has over 15 years experience as a certified aromatherapist helping people at all stages of life through “Aromatherapy Solutions”, an aromatherapy blending business found on the web at www.aromatherapysolutions.com.
She balances her life as a businesswoman, author, and speaker with being the mother of a beautiful and active 12-year-old daughter, Chelsea. These activities enhance her life and her work. Over the years Judith has focused her work on formulating and developing blends for the common ailments that people of all ages deal with. Judith’s second book, “Aromatherapy Answers” provides the answers to the ailments.
Along with
About the Coauthor
Paula M. Bousquet, coauthor of “Seasons of Aromatherapy” has been a writer and editor for over 20 years. An avid herb gardener, her day job is as a medical writer for Pfizer, Inc.