Aromatherapy: Getting My Act Together...

American tourist (that's moi, of course) discovering the beauty of essential oils while in England back in the late-1980's...

"And so I've been putting off something that has been a silly economy and a hugely effective tool in what has been part of my arsenal to seriously fight my severe Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (unfortunately, AKA "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome") as well as my fibromyalgia."

Since my traumatic hospitalization, I've been on a mission to reexamine past medications, past diets (as in "way of eating," though losing weight is always an issue), past physical activity that I could/can handle and so forth.  However, the other day it occurred to me that somehow I'd dropped a ball.  (There are, after all, so many balls to juggle.)  Worse, this was a hugely successful ball in my arsenal - for me, I hasten to add. It's the world of essential oils and aromatherapy meeting and treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (a less palpable term than CFIDS or ME) and fibromyalgia.  

I "discovered" aromatherapy quite by accident when going to a contemporary museums, i.e., to British grocery stores, department stores, book stores, drugstores (oh how I love to look at what personal items another country has) and so forth. (Don't you just love the term "contemporary museums"?)  

As I added the oils to my daily life, eventually I was able to graduate from a wheelchair to walking - not far, mind you, but enough that life was made so much easier.  I could walk in my bedroom area and if, need be, I was able to go down to the kitchen, although basically, the only thing that would come out of it was the newest disaster.  Talk about getting into a bad mood!   

My sleep (which I consider to be akin to labor although minus the great, miraculous result - a baby!) substantially improved. It was such a downright miracle that good ol' "Miss Irene" in her usual fashion of studying everything about a topic that tickles her/my fancy took it upon herself to learn all she could about aromatherapy - most of which has been forgotten by now.  Fibro-brain strikes again! ;)  But that's what books and the Internet are there for: we can do so much while still in bed.

Today I should be in a fantastic mood for quite a bit of the day.  (If this family could just stay out of the hospital for a while, I'd be on cloud nine!  Don't ask me where I was Tuesday night!)

Here are a few truisms about me:

• on the whole, it really takes so little to make me happy (Goodbye, pain! Please go down some sewer!)
• I am one of those female "weirdos" (as my middle child would put it) who hates to shop 
• nine times out of ten, I'll pick out a few basics at one of my "favorite" online stores, but then I am way too exhausted to actually place the order.  My brain is simply too fried.  Pain has its way with me. (Get your mind out of the gutter please, my dears!)
• there are just too many steps to placing an order.  You know that you have CFIDS/ME/CFS and/or fibro if this truism applies to you as well.  I have to wonder, what happened to my love of shopping, "window" as well as otherwise, which I had before this DD hit me?
• worse, with my short-term memory problems, my "attention" to how much things cost. My brain that is just soo fatigued once it comes to credit cards, filling out addresses, filling out passwords (searching for a piece of paper or the notebook that has SOME of them) is just more than I can handle.  Yes, I know: tell you something you didn't already know! (But it's validation, no?)

And so I've been putting off something that has been a silly economy and a hugely effective tool in what has been part of my arsenal to seriously fight my severe Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (unfortunately aka "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome") as well as my fibromyalgia.  Somehow nature's "gift" of essential oils, which has worked so well in the past, has fallen by the wayside.  

However, in the midst of writing this post, I finally shopped and then actually bought quite a few essential oils. (See the power of a blog? I'm actually able to cross an item off an old mile-long list for shame!)  I used to be a regular customer and would even foist the oils onto my kids for various things when they were growing up.  LOL: one friend's daughter of about 30 years ago, after not seeing me in ages, asked "are you still using that witchy stuff?"  Out of the mouth of babes.

AND NOTE: Did I mention that the "company," Aromathyme, from which I most frequently buy my  essential oils is having a sale of 10% though May 27, code word SUMMERTIME? 

Looks like it's time to bite the bullet and attack the things that essential oils can address. 

I've long wanted to start a series on essential oils, especially since the first post I wrote about my three most favorite essential oils had such a high readership.

Four Hours Later:  Oh how I wish I were joking when I say that this post was started well over four hours ago. It's taken me that time alone to go through the web site I was ordering from.  I've picked those oils which were so useful to me in the past.  I've picked a few new ones that look promising. I've taken advantage of the discount and free shipping.  I've picked according to conditions, many which I've discussed (harped?) about for ages: insomnia, mood, clear thinking, memory and so forth.  I'm absolutely thrilled that I'm going back to essential oils.  And I can't wait to get them in the mail as soon as possible. 

After a bit of experimentation, I'll let you know which are (still) successful.  And I'll let you know how it's going.  

Teaser: three of the essential oils ordered were ravensara, neroli, ylang ylang.  Heaven.

In the meantime, I hope all are feeling their best, only better!  Ciao and paka.


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My Favorite 3 Aromatherapy Essential Oils

One of the most successful "natural" or "alternative" routes that I've discovered in my adventure of trying to "heal" myself of the CFIDS/ME/CFS and fibromyalgia nightmare has been that of aromatherapy.  It was on a trip to England one year that I discovered the beauty of aromatherapy.  It was the late 80's and we who lived in the States hadn't heard of aromatherapy at all.   Having been raised by a mom who had some miraculous things happen in her life when conventional medicines were not available during drastic times, I always believed in alternative medicine in addition to western medicine: I am my mother's daughter, after all.

I suppose I was most influenced by one of my mom's worst life-altering episodes.  It happened when she came down with some sort of leg infection that became so dire that it called for an amputation but the doctors were understandably too busy with wounded soldiers.  As my grandmother carried my mom back to their home, an old woman called out to my grandmother and asked what the problem was. (Oh those old Russian/Ukrainian babushkas always had to be in on any action going on!)  Upon hearing what had happened, the old woman nodded sagely and after my grandmother swore to carry out the instructions to a T,  she was given a secret recipe of herbs to pull out all the gory stuff from my mom's leg. Within a certain amount of time (weeks, months, this my mom doesn't remember, as other problems were taking their attention away  from the leg crisis) all the tissue was rejuvenated and my mom was left with only a scar that showed where the puss and rot had come out.

Likewise, I doubt that there is a Russian or Ukrainian, here in the States or back in the "old country" who doesn't know that if one gets a wound of any sort, they simply need to find some "podorozhnik," a weed that grows "by the side of the road" (plantain, I believe it's called) and stick it on.  There's no scar left if it's used until the healing is over.  Even a "new" Russian arrival, a doctor at the "major medical center," swore by podorozhnik - that made me really laugh!  The only thing that keeps me away from podorozhnik these days is that I know that there's none that hasn't tons of pesticides drowning it.

So, when I first heard about aromatherapy, I was fascinated.  Plus, there's that tiny thing of having a nose that's infamous for its sense of smell.  To me aromatherapy and my nose seemed to be a match made in heaven and I became almost obsessed with aromatherapy.  I discovered it in an English pharmacy.  I love to visit  pharmacies and grocery stores when I travel. Why?  Because to me they are what I call "contemporary museums."  How better to get a good view of what a country and its people are like?

According to history, it was WWll that brought essential oils to the fore.  A medical doctor began his own research on the properties of essential oils, taking over the work a previous doctor who had started experimenting with essential oils during WWI when there was a shortage of supplies and medicines.  During the second World War, when supplies and medicines, including the new antibiotics, had run out near battlefields and in field hospitals he tried essential oils and the wounds healed rapidly, infection was reduced and often completely arrested - much like what happened to my mom, though through different "old world" means.  It's said that many soldiers were saved because of his treatment with essential oils.

"Dr. Jean Valnet has written extensively about essential oil therapy and  in 1964 published The Art of Aromatherapy and the movement in Europe had rebirth.  Around the same time, a Frenchman, Albert Couvreur, published a book on the medicinal uses of essential oils and Madame Marguerite Maury, a French biochemist, developed a unique method of applying essential oils to the skin with massage and established the first aromatherapy clinics in Paris, Great Britain, and Switzerland, and studied the rejuvenating properties of essential oils.  Her research was published in English as The Secret of Life and Youth (1964).  Micheline Arcier studied and worked with Maury and Valnet and their combined techniques created a form of aromatherapy that is used around the world."  ~From AromatherapyNaturalHealing.com

                                     
I've had some dramatic results with aromatherapy.  I was lucky enough to go back to London a few times and get work done at Micheline Arcier's aromatherapy center in Knightsbridge.  For a few years I had a local massage therapist use blends I made up myself.  I would also use the essential oils for various symptoms and health problems that came up, with great results.

Although I could go on and on about many oils that I love, these are my favorite three, aside from the obvious ones such as lavender and tea tree oils.  And just to state the obvious, please remember to only go for organic and well-established sources for essential oils.  Can you imagine the concentrations of toxins in a single drop if you're using an oil that's been grown under non-organic conditions?  (Yikes!)  And please keep in mind that I'm not a doctor, nor a professional aromatherapist.  Finally, bear in mind that if you're on any medications, they need to be cross-checked with a physician of some sort.  I've not had problems, but I've also done "my research" before using any oils and run them by my doctor, who is quite open-minded about these sorts of things if I bring him my research.  At any rate, these are just three of my favorites that have worked wonders for me.

• Clary Sage: I think of this oil as the one that lifts you up when you are down but brings you down if you're too up and running on jittery nerves.  I absolutely love this oil.  Its properties are that of an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, deodorant; it decreases gas and indigestion, brings on menstruation, relaxes muscles and nerves and lowers blood pressure.

Clary sage uses: added to a massage oil or used as a compress, it eases muscle and nervous tension and pain. Its relaxing action can reduce muscle spasms and asthma attacks and lowers blood pressure. It's great for "female ailments": coping better with menstrual cramps, PMS and is the first go-to for menopausal hot flashes.  It may be a gentle hormonal stimulant.  As if that's not enough, it's great for improving the complexion, so you can add some to a cream if you have acne, thin, wrinkled or inflamed skin.  In Europe, a tea prepared from clary sage leaf soothes a sore throat. (I didn't remember these last few things: darn it!  I could have used it a while back!)

HOWEVER, WARNING: Large amounts can make one giddy, cause headaches and raise blood pressure. Never use it with alcohol or if you are pregnant, suffer from breast cysts uterine fibroids or other estrogen-related disorders!

• Neroli:  Oh, I love the smell of this oil and it is my choice for falling asleep if the stars happen to line up in the sky correctly. (I'm kidding about the stars: sort of!)

This oil is derived from orange blossoms, a most wonderful smell.  The best, rivaling my beloved roses.  Because of the delicate nature of the blossoms the method of extraction is by steam, making this oil one of the pricier ones.  It has a sweet, floral smell, and I think it's a rather refreshing smell as well.  It blends well with jasmine, ylang-ylang (another favorite, especially for depression) and sandlewood.  A little bit goes a long way, so if you should order it, go with a very tiny amount.  I also like it because it's a mild oil and thus skin sensitivity is rarely a problem.  Allergic reactions are also quite rare.

Neroli Oil uses: this is an oil that produces relaxation and is although it is often compared to lavender, this is by far the preferred choice.  It's calming properties allow it to to alleviate anxiety, depression and stress.  It helps promote sleep and relieve restlessness.

• Pink Grapefruit: Oh, my.  If you're exhausted, this will pep you up, but in a calm way, not as jerky and hyper as peppermint (IMHO).

It has a brightness to it that gives you energy and uplifts the spirit.  (I really don't mean to sound too much like a hippie: but other language evades me!)  I once surprised my son by arriving in Australia unannounced (oh yeah, there goes all my credibility!) and was absolutely dead from the long trip.  In order to make it to the surprise "Hi, how are you doing?" as he almost dropped dead from a heart attack, ("Mom, what are you doing out of bed?") I used this oil and suddenly freshened up, despite the shower that was supposed to give me a boost, but suddenly started putting me to sleep instead.  I've been in love with this oil since!

It's said that the oil enhances self-esteem and I agree!  Dare I say that it also gives one "a sense of empowerment"?

Here's another tidbit: it supposedly diminishes people's appetites.  (I'm ordering this very soon - I can't find any of my oils in the house since the remodeling began.  Oh well, they were all past expiry dates anyway!)

Pink grapefruit uses: applied topically, it can benefit toning and have astringent effects.  It's also known to stimulate the lymphatic system and helps the body remove toxins.  Furthermore, it's said that it stimulates liver and gallbladder function (well, that boat has sailed: too late!).  It's an excellent body tonic in that it increases circulation and tones skin cells.  Ancient medicine says that the sour taste of grapefruit was used to balance and regulate conditions such as constipation, anxiety, worry, restlessness, PMS and insomnia.  The sour taste is also known to improve a sluggish digestive system. (Does anyone remember the grapefruit diets?)

One "how-to" use of pink grapefruit oil tip which I came across: place one to three drops in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together vigorously.  (Adjust the amount to your satisfaction, less or more, according to what appeals to you.)  Breath in the scent 5-20 minutes before a meal.  Important: drink 8 oz. of  "real" water after inhaling the oil.

It's said that if one blends a wild patchouli essential oil with the pink grapefruit essential oil,  the grapefruit oil's properties will be enhanced in the appetite suppressant category.  (I've not tried this, but I may well do so!)

A beauty tip: add a drop or two into a shampoo bottle to enhance the shine to your hair.  It's also been shown to eliminate oily scalps and other skin and hair conditions.

Finally, my favorite thing to do is to use it as a room freshener and deodorizer.  I've also used it to mist the air.  It has a "delicious" smell that just makes one feel as light and fresh as a sweet-smelling child who's been out in the fresh air.  And what a feat!  I'm not a fan of grapefruit, so it says a lot that I turned my opinion in its favor.

There you have it: a bit of history along with a bit of hope and optimism which comes naturally, encased in little delightfully fragrant bottles which, believe it or not, our sensitive noses can actually benefit from.  It certainly works for MY wacko system!

As always, I hope everyone's feeling their best, only better.  Ciao and paka!