Posted on 03/19/2019 5:52:42 PM PDT by little jeremiah
Many FReepers have knowledge to share about improving and maintaining health and would like to share it and learn from others; and others may not know much yet but want to learn. Some of us don't have much money for good insurance or doctors, some want to try other methods besides prescription meds, and some have experience in treating and solving health problems.
More and more "regular" doctors have accepted treatment methods such as the benefits of acupuncture, massage for many conditions, better diet, use of herbs and so on. There are limits, and often side effects, to some standard medical efforts.
My field is Ayurvedic herbalism and related measures, and have a lot of information I can post when I have time. I have seen herbs and sometimes dietary changes help people (including myself) with issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, high BP, gallstones, kidneystones, repeated boils, UTIs, prostate problems, insomnia, allergies, urinary incontinence, and many more. I hope to learn a lot from others with their knowledge and experience.
There are many "old fashioned" home care methods that were in common use a few generations ago that actually work and are cheap, such as castor oil packs, fomentations using alternating hot and cold water, and the like, which are easy to do. I am sure there is a lot of knowledge here on Free Republic that can be shared.
I would like this thread to stay civil without distruption, so my request is that people who think natural health methods are bunkum, make your own thread.
Essential oil stories keep popping up in my life. A woman I know was able to give up the CPAP she was using for sleep apnea once she started using an oil. A 75-year-old man abandoned his viagra habit after he started drinking an EO-infused energy drink. A friend was having blurred vision due to excessive computer use. She exposes her eyes to frankincense vapors for two minutes every day or two and the problem has gone away.
It’s mind-boggling what these things do — with none of the side-effects of pharmaceuticals. If I wasn’t so busy learning about oils, I’d follow LJ’s lead and learn about herbs. I’ll just have to lean on your expertise, LJ. How could I have lived to retirement age without having a clue about EOs and herbs?
I forget to mention the older gentleman I met today who had been suffering from atrial fibrillation. At random times his heart would start beating super-fast, and he would just have to wait for several hours until it calmed down — usually in the ER, in case something bad happened. One he learned about EOs he was inspired to try something different. When the rapid heartbeat hit, he rubbed a few drops of an oil blend on his chest and inhaled a couple drops that he rubbed on his palms. Within 10 minutes his heartbeat was back to normal and he avoided an ER visit. Now he uses the oils daily, and hasn’t had a recurrence.
A couple of months ago I would have said “Placebo effect!” or “Coincidence!”, but I’m beginning to believe. Because the oil molecules are so small (much smaller than drug molecules) they can cross the blood-brain barrier. Within two minutes, inhaled oils reach deep into the brain and within 20 minutes oils reach every part of the body.
I have been neglecting this thread, and I need to start posting and reading on this again. Too much bad news/crazy stuff is getting to me!
I wonder what EO blend helped the man’s heart.
I use EOs to help my breathing fairly often and now I hardly ever have to use an inhaler. I also have to avoid a lot of stuff too.
Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Jasmine, Palmarosa, Rose, Bergamot, Lemon, and Tangerine
Jasmine is very potent (and expensive) but just needs to be in a tiny quantity. Palmarosa is calming, all grass EOs are, some of my favorites, and very reasonable. Citrus also cheap, more uplifting generally but EOs can be both calming and uplifting, so good for either anxiety or depression, stress, etc. Rose is ultra calming, only a few drops needed in a blend like Jasmine. I bet it smells great.
Sandalwood is extremely calming and good for heart too, I used some during my most recent heart episode which included tachycardia, arrhythmia and wild BP swings. Not fun!
PS - maybe I’ll try making a blend similar to that one above except I may not have any Jasmine left, it’s gotten out of my league price wise.
Nice to know there's a blender in our midst.
... except I may not have any Jasmine left, it’s gotten out of my league price wise.
And rose is more than twice as expensive as jasmine.
Do you subscribe to the "frequency" theory of oils, that each oil has a particular frequency associated with it, with rose one of the highest?
I got a very small amount of rose, I think 1 dram, quite a few years ago. I had some Jasmine from way longer, I have to check.
I don’t worry about frequencies, too complex for me. I primarily use Jeanne Rose for my information, and have a couple of other useful books. I can post titles if you or anyone is interested.
I obtained a copy of The Aromatherapy Book by Jeanne Rose. Are there any other books of hers that you recommend? Other authors?
I’m having computer/browser problems today, hope to be back on with more info for this thread. I need another focus than weird news!
I have another book by Rose, 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, which I use. Next to Rose’s Aromatherapy Book I like Ayurveda and Aromatherapy by Light Miller and Bryan Miller which I like a lot. And The Aromatherapy Companion by Victoria H. Edwards (not fond of some of the commentary but what the heck), and Aromatherapy Workbook by Marcel Lavabre which I find more useful than Victoria Edwards’ book.
First, lavender. Unless you just want a pretty scent, use pure, real lavender oil for anything having to do with your body. Lavender is called The Swiss Army Knife of oils because it’s so versatile. If you only have one oil, let it be lavender.
Lavender is so calming and at the same time helps uplift the mood, and a lot of EOs do that. Dual purpose. Lavender EO is a great first aid tool for burns of any kind. A small burn will get healed with just a few applications, in a couple of hours. A bad burn will need cooling in ice water, then lavender and a clay compress. With those three methods I healed overnight an unbearable painful burn that covered the whole top of my R hand. Since then I make sure I am NEVER without lavender and clay.
Great you are doing this, thank you. I will chime in if I have any ideas.
An additional point about Lavender EOs is the cheaper vareity (probably NOW brand, and definitely some of the cheap ones on Amazon) use Lavender EO blended with Lavendin EO which is a close relative and still useful in its way but with not as nice a smell and probably not quite as effective. Labels should say what variey of the plant and place of origin if possible. It really depends on usage - if strictly therapeutic, the real all Lavender is best; for things like adding to calming salves or blends using other EOs too, soap, just for room aroma use, etc the cheaper varities are probably fin.
Thanks, LJ, for sharing your deeper knowledge and broader experience.
I tried lavender on some long-lasting bruises on my shins, and it seemed to speed up the return to normal.
Lavender oil mixed with coconut oil, or aloe vera gel, for sunburn.
Rub peppermint oil over your abdomen, to relieve nausea and stomach cramps.
Oh bruises too, that’s good to know. Also works for sunburn; if a bad sunburn can be applied neat (one of the few EOs that it is safe to do so) or make a blend as I recently did when DH was working in the direct sun for many hours over the course of a week. I made a spray bottle with water, Lavender, Rose and Sandalwood EOs - just a few drops of the expensive ones - and add a lot of Rosewater (I get that at Indian or Middle Eastern groceries, very cheap, food grade). It helped speed the healing plus gave instant relief (which Lavender EO on burns does often).
Now I’m reminded of other EOs that are good for the skin and some could be added to a sunburn/heat relieving spray. I’ll think about it and add later. This EO info plan is a really good idea and later I will the list once a few more EOs are up.
Please add e to this list. I benefit greatly from the use of high-grade/certified-therapeutic-grade essential oils. One blend has enabled me to completely get off Spirava and now I’m on 1/2 doses of my other COPD/asthma medicines.
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