Hammering your body with antibiotics is not the only way to
treat Lyme disease and coinfections.
Essential oils are a great alternative or even a supplemental for your
treatment. There are many
different essential oils with various properties; essential oils have been
around since the biblical era (the 3 wise men brought Jesus frankinsense and
myrrh). People have been using
essential oils for years. It
started with the Egyptians who used essential oils for medical practice, beauty
treatment, food preparation, and religious ceremonies. After the Egyptians started using essential
oils, the Greeks began incorporating them for massages and aromatherapy. Then it was the Romans who started
using oils to promote health and wellness so this is by no means a new practice of medicine.
So what are essential oils exactly? Essential oils are natural aromatic
compounds usually found in stems, seeds, roots, flowers, and other parts of
plants. These essential oils not
only help plants smell beautifully, they help protect the plants from
predators, and even play a role in pollination. Essential oils have various different appearances; they are
composed of non-water based phytochemicals which are collection of unstable organic
compounds. Essential oils can
appear clear or they can appear as dark as a deep blue.
There are 3 different ways to administer essential oils. The three different methods include aromatically, topically, or ingested. For aromatic uses: our sense of smell
influences many of our pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other
metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is used in a wide facet of settings; certain
oils when diffused in the air can be stimulating while others can have a
calming effect. Diffusing essential oils
also helps to promote pure air, free from unwanted pathogens. Some people even add essential oils to their
cleaning regiments such as adding a few drops onto a paper towel and using it as a dryer sheets or cleaning surfaces throughout the house.
As I mentioned previously, essential oils can be used
topically. To begin it is
important to know yourself, like if you have super sensitive skin you should
not apply the essential oil directly on to your skin. In that case, just dilute the oil. Essential oils can be
applied directly to the skin or diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut
oil. Certain oils must be diluted
with a carrier oil, usually a 1:3 ratio.
There are definitely things to remember when applying oils directly to
your skin: citrus oils can cause sensitivity to sunlight, some need to be
diluted, your body can react differently every time you apply oils, and it’s
been said to layer oils vs. blending them. We dilute oils with a carrier oil when the oil is deemed a
warm oil and feels too hot to be applied directly to the skin because it creates a burning sensation. It is often recommended for essential oils to be applied to the bottom of the feet because the feet possesses more than 800 pores per square inch. Additionally the foot has places on it that correspond to all the parts of the body, this practice is known as reflexology. Other
places to apply essential oils topically are the wrists, neck, behind the ears,
stomach and the forehead. You can even incorporate essential oils into your bath or into massages.
Another way essential oils can be useful is via a
diffuser. Diffusing rosemary,
citronella, tea tree, lemon, and cinnamon can help with deodorizing your
home. Diffusing eucalyptus,
cinnamon, and/or frankincense can also help with boosting your immune
system. One of the greatest
powers of essential oils is that they can cross the blood-brain barrier which
in turn allows them to improve your mood.
When you are feeling stressed and anxious, try diffusing lavender,
ylang-ylang, and/or bergamot.
Additionally diffusing oils can help with sleep. One study said that, “the inhalation of
essential oils with hypnotic properties may provide a safe and effect therapy
for some sleep disturbances, (Lillehei, A., and Halcon, L., 2014). In another study from 2012, showed that
lavender lowers blood sugar while decreasing the production of cortisol, (Kim,
I., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M., Lim, H, & Lee, M., 2012). For at night, I recommend diffusing
lavender, roman chamomile, and/or clary sage. Another benefit to diffusing essential oils is it eases
congestion; the best oils for that purpose is peppermint, rosmary, lemon,
and/or eucalyptus. Lastly another
plus to diffusing oils is it can help set the mood; the oil ylang-ylang is
known for its ability to increase libido, (“Ylang-ylang.” Essential Oils for
Beginners: The Guide to Get Started with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.
Berkeley: Athena, 2013. 201. Print.).
Other oils known for setting the mood are jasmine, allspice, or clary
sage.
Lastly when it comes to ingesting oils, you must be very
careful. I would consult a trained
aromatherapist that is trained in ingesting oils. It is also important to consideration the quality
of oils you are using before you consider ingesting. Some people put essential oils into gel capsules in order to make ingesting easier. In the lyme community there are a few blends people use for various symptom relief and management of infection. For example, someone created a blend called Lyme bullets which includes 12 drops of thieves, 6 drops of oregano and 2 drops of frankincense.
So after my rant on essential oils, let me tell you how
useful it can be for Lyme patients. Here are a few of my favorite essential oils and a little bit about the properties they possess.
1.
Clove oil- one of the most potent antimicrobial
substance, analgesic and antiseptic properties; also has a very high capacity
in terms of oxygen radical absorbance and is capable of fighting borrelia and bartonella infections
2.
Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano- all of these are
antibacterial and are effective against Lyme disease
3.
Frankincense- muscle relaxant, antiseptic, anti
inflammatory, and immune stimulant all in one; can help modulate immune
reactions and reduce inflammation throughout the body; helps with thyroid issues too
4.
Cinnamon- great for relaxing the mind;
also a powerful antimicrobial that has been cited to cure Lyme disease;
additionally posesses antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal
properties
a. It has been found that viruses, bacteria,
and fungus cannot live in this oil.
5. Tea
tree oil- very effective in liquefying and removing biofilms, the thin bacteria
that settles on a surface; also a good antibacterial
6.
Rosemary, Lavender, Rose, Geranium- are known
for their ability to stop the infectious borrelia from communicating with each
other… therefore they are helpful in preventing a relapse
7.
Copaiba- very powerful anti inflammatory,
anti-bacterial, disinfectant, and diuretic; helps with colds and coughs; aids
in lymphatic flow; and eases vomiting
8.
Lemon- strong antimicrobial properties;
stimulates the lymphatic system; assists with digestive problems; stimulating to
the brain; aids concentration; fever reduction; aids in ridding intestinal
parasites
9. Lavendar- known as being a calming oil; great for reducing anxiety, reducing depression; and aiding in restful sleep
10. Peppermint- great to use topically for pain because it is a cooling oil; helps with acid reflux, fevers and digestive issues like nausea;
There are tons of other oils that have great properties and benefits, but my list included the top 10 essential oils I use the most.
"Where there is a will, there is a way."
Sources:
https://thetickslayer.com/thieving-well-powerful-lyme-disease-oil/
http://www.lyme-treatment.com/2014/05/working-with-essential-oils.html
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/eleven-essential-oils-that-help-fight-lyme-disease
http://www.healthytherapeuticoils.com/lymediseasetreatment.htm
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