It has been a running joke in my family that I am such a lightweight regarding drugs and alcohol. Being teased as the cheap date was mostly funny, but I wanted to find a natural solution when it came to needing relief from back pain, sciatic nerve problems, and other stress-related aches and pain. You have seen countless commercials where the actor assimilates pain from daily activities, and only one or two pills will make it better. Well, that was not the case for me.
I wondered what else I could do when I took two and three pills or cried as I waited in pain to take the next set of OTC medicines. When my injuries worsened, I was prescribed heavy-duty painkillers that stopped the pain and kept me in a brain fog or asleep for days. I could not function this way and did not care for the trade-off of pain relief with liver damage.
I cut pills in half, iced, and scheduled as many massages as possible. Then I asked my husband for rub downs of my back in exchange for massaging the stress from his neck and shoulders. That is when I started buying massage oils and studying the quality and ingredients. Some smelled like medicine and worked reasonably well. Others smelled fragrant and did not work as well as expected.
I found a combination of massage techniques that introduced me to healing essential oils through Ayurvedic massage. My curiosity grew, and I found an essential oil for most issues I was dealing with. While researching different forms of Dementia, I also came across additional benefits for mental health from essential oil use.
Before too long, I was buying more oils and experimenting with mixing scents in my bedside diffuser and one for Mom during the day. Restorative rest was finally possible. This routine helped me boost my immune system with oils such as Citrus, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Frankincense, and Lavender. I also found a mixed response from others about the acceptance and use of these oils. These are natural and simple to use, so why are medications and doctors still writing prescriptions and doing procedures that can be helped without surgery, in most cases?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. These oils are derived from plants and contain natural compounds that can have therapeutic effects on the body and mind.
One of the most well-known benefits of aromatherapy is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and bergamot have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to reduce feelings of stress and tension.
Aromatherapy can also be used to help with sleep. Essential oils such as lavender, valerian, and ylang-ylang have sedative properties that can help to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
In addition to its emotional benefits, aromatherapy can also have physical benefits. Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as headaches, muscle aches, and arthritis.
I combined Lemongrass, Lavender, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Eucalyptus with a base oil to take the pain away from my ruptured thoracic spine (disc C6 & C7) rather than take any more nerve blockers. My husband massaged this blend into the middle of my shoulder blades and up my neck. There is a reason Frankincense and Myrrh were given to Jesus at birth. I received deep tissue relief from this mixture that prescription Gabapentin (100 or 300 mg) could not provide.
Aromatherapy can also be used to improve skin health. Essential oils such as Frankincense, Lavender, Geranium, and rose have moisturizing and rejuvenating properties that can help to improve the appearance of the skin. My mosquito repellent includes
Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways, including through massage, inhalation, and topical application. To use essential oils for aromatherapy, it is important to use high-quality, pure oils and to dilute them properly with a base oil such as avocado or refined coconut oil before use.
There is such a wide range of benefits that can improve physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils can be used to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, alleviate pain, and improve skin health. If you're interested in trying aromatherapy, be sure to use high-quality, pure essential oils and consult with a qualified aromatherapist to ensure safe and effective use.
Here are the top 11 essential oils and their benefits:
Lavender: Calming, relaxing, reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep, and helps with minor burns and skin irritations.
Peppermint: Energizing, and invigorating, helps with headaches and nausea, relieves muscle pain, and improves respiratory function.
Eucalyptus: Decongestant, improves respiratory function, helps with muscle pain and stiffness, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Tea Tree: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, helps with skin conditions such as acne, dandruff and fungal infections, helps with wound healing.
Rosemary: Stimulating, improves concentration and memory, relieves muscle pain and stiffness, helps with hair growth and scalp conditions.
Bergamot: Calming, relaxing, improves mood, and helps with minor skin irritations and infections.
Frankincense: Calming, relaxing, improves mood, helps with skin conditions such as wrinkles and age spots, and supports the immune system with natural antiseptic and disinfectant qualities.
Lemon: Energizing, refreshing, improves mood, helps with digestion, supports the immune system, helps with minor skin irritations.
Geranium: Balancing, improves mood, helps with minor skin irritations and infections, helps with PMS symptoms.
Chamomile: Calming, relaxing, improves sleep, helps with minor skin irritations and infections, helps with stomach upset.
Lemongrass: Helps relieve muscle pain and aches while killing harmful bacteria.
It's important to note that essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with care. Read and ask plenty of question. Let your curiosity grow and find healing sooner than later. I must state that as you learn then use in combination with therapy and not in place of because these are intended to enhance or heal not replace.
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