Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Essential Oils by M. Nicole Sarji

Transcription

1 Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Essential Oils by M. Nicole Sarji

2 Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in the USA. It affects women approximately 2:1 compared to men. The main symptoms of IBS are: abdominal pain, discomfort, and constipation or diarrhea. Other common symptoms involved in IBS are bloating, cramps, nausea and, excess gas. While IBS does not worsen over time, the symptoms and signs that occur with the disorder may vary from mild to severe from person to person and within the same person as well. (Heitkemper & Jarrett, 2005) (A reporter s guide to Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Over 1 billion dollars is spent yearly managing symptoms associated with IBS. While IBS s underlying etiology is not completely known making it difficult to treat the underlying cause, most physicians view several factors such as emotional, genetic, physiological, cognitive and behavioral factors as contributing to an individual s suffering from IBS. Symptom management is the most common way doctors treat IBS. Symptom management may include treatments such as pharmacological, dietary, physical exercise, stress reduction and natural approaches. (Heitkemper & Jarrett, 2005) (Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a lifestyle guide.) Essential Oils targeting IBS Aromatherapy using essential oils that target symptoms such as stress, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea and, cramps is a natural approach to treating IBS. The following are a list of essential oils targeting each symptom: (Dechen, 2002) (Sellar, 2001).

3 Stress Top Notes: Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lemon, Mandarin, Myrtle, Orange, Palma Rosa, Petitgrain, Tea Tree, Thyme Middle Notes: Celery, Chamomile, Fir, Geranium, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood, Spearmint Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Cedarwood, Clove, Frankincense, Jasmine, Myrrh, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Valerian, Vetivert, Ylang Ylang Abdominal pain Top Notes: Angelica, Anise-Star, Basil, Bay, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Pimento Middle Notes: Chamomile, Melissa, Origanum, Pine, Rosemary Base Notes: Benzoin, Linden Blossom Constipation Top notes: Basil, Clary Sage, Coriander, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Tangerine Middle notes: Black Pepper, Carrot Seed, Chamomile, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood Base Notes: Benzoin, Clove, Ginger, Neroli, Rose, Tarragon, Sandalwood Diarrhea Top notes: Caraway, Dill, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Myrtle, Orange, Oregano, Pimento Middle notes: Black Pepper, Carrot Seed, Chamomile, Cypress, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary Base notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Ginger, Myrrh, Neroli, Sandalwood, Tarragon, Ylang Ylang

4 Gas Top Notes: Angelica, Aniseed, Basil, Bergamot, Caraway, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Lemon, Myrtle, Orange Middle Notes: Black Pepper, Chamomile, Carrot Seed, Clary Sage, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary Base Notes: Benzoin, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Tarragon Nausea Top Notes: Aniseed, Coriander, Basil, Bergamot, Lemon, Myrtle, Orange, Mandarin, Palma Rosa, Tea Tree, Thyme, Angelica Middle Notes: Black Pepper, Chamomile, Cypress, Fennel, Fir, Lavender, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood, Spearmint Base Notes: Cinnamon, Clove, Frankincense, Ginger, Neroli, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood Cramps Top Notes: Angelica, Basil, Caraway, Cardamom, Cajuput. Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Laurus Nobilis, Lemon, Myrtle, Orange, Tangerine, Tea Tree, Thyme, Yarrow Middle Notes: Black Pepper, Chamomile, Cypress, Fennel, Fir, Geranium, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary, Rosewood Base Notes: Benzoin, Clove, Frankincense, Ginger, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Neroli, Rose, Sage, Tarragon, Vitex

5 First Blend: All of the chosen essential oils for this blend are listed as beneficial for cramps, nausea, gas, diarrhea and, constipation. The top note is beneficial for the additional target of abdominal pain and stress. The middle note and base note also target stress as well. Top Note: Orange Middle Note: Peppermint Base Note: Ginger This blend would is a nice combination that would be appropriate for both men and women. The blend could be done in a spray, diffusion blend and, lotion to allow for ease of daily use. The spray would be made with a water base and vegetable glycerin then 12 drops of orange, 9 drops of peppermint and, 6 drops of ginger. The lotion would be done with the same amount of essential oils mentioned above added to white unscented lotion or Aloe Vera gel. The diffusion blend would be a mix of the above to be placed on a diffuser in the car or/and home. Second Blend The second blend made into a face spray, salve and, diffusion blend would target cramps, diarrhea, gas, constipation and, stress. Top Note: Lemon Middle Note: Chamomile Base Note: Benzoin

6 This blend would is would also be appropriate for both men and women. The spray would be made with a water base, witch hazel and, vegetable glycerin then 12 drops of lemon, 9 drops of chamomile and, 6 drops of benzoin. The salve would be done with the same amount of essential oils mentioned above added to jojoba and beeswax. The diffusion blend would be a mix of the above. Rather than making one of the two blends mentioned above, a personalized blend done with a person s preferred scents or targeted complaints could be made with the listed essential oils.

7 References Dechen, S. (2011). Clinical Aromatherapy Level 1. Aroma Apothecary Healing Arts Academy. Crestone, CO. Heitkemper, M. & Jarrett, M. (2005). Overlapping conditions in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Urologic Nursing. Vol 25(1): p Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a lifestyle guide. P & G Health Sciences Institute. January A reporter s guide to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Found at at: Sellar, W. (2001). The directory of Essential Oils: includes more than 80 essential oils. Vermillion publishing. London.