#FibromylagiaDiaries: Aromatherapy Support
There's no cure for fibromyalgia. And the medicines (which are basically painkillers) make us dopey and listless. That's why, people battling fibromyalgia are always on the lookout for alternative therapies, and the one that seems to work the best is aromatherapy. Mind you, the therapy does not cure. It stimulates the senses to ease the pain, boost the mood and make you feel good, an essential aspect of self-care.
Decoding aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses scents from pure oils extracted from nature, i.e. flowers, plants, seeds, bark etc. to heal. According to experts, there are about 150 essential oils, nearly all of which have medicinal benefits if used correctly. The idea of using essential oils to treat ailments is not new - it has been used in Ayurveda, is an integral part of Chinese traditional medicines and has found mention in ancient Egyptian scriptures. It did, however, gain prominence in the Western world only in the 1930s, courtesy of French chemist René-Maurice Gattefosse who is credited with minting the term ‘aromatherapy.’
Aromatherapy for fibromyalgia
Studies state that aromatherapy works by stimulating a patient's olfactory senses. Our brain can detect over 10,000 scents, and it also reacts to each scent differently. When a particular scent reaches our brain, it affects the limbic system, which releases hormones that can affect our moods and emotions. It's the way a whiff of coffee wakes you up in the morning, or the smell of baking bread makes you feel hugged.
In the case of fibromyalgia, specific scents can have a positive impact on blood pressure, pulse and brain activity which in turn could help with physical, emotional and mental symptoms like
- Easing the constant pain
- Increased pain tolerance
- Better blood circulation
- Soothing anxiety
- Relaxed nerves that can support restorative sleep
Although that list looks small, if you've read the previous articles here,here and here, you'll know how important all of the above is for individuals with fibromyalgia.
For individuals who've made aromatherapy an essential part of their daily routine in the fight against fibromyalgia, some oils work wonders for specific issues.
- A combination of lavender with peppermint or rosemary helps with inflammation pain
- Lavender, jasmine, and chamomile are the go-to sleep inducers for some
- Some use jasmine, sweet orange, bergamot and lavender as great anxiety busters
- Frankincense, lavender, and rose are said to help boost confidence
Things to remember
For fibromyalgia warriors who may be using aromatherapy for the first-time, you must understand a few basic things before exploring what works for you and what doesn't.
- Always (and we can't stress this enough) use oils from reputed, reliable brands
- Applying an essential oil on your skin after a bath or on the pulse points may be beneficial, but only after you've combined it with a carrier oil from one of these. For example, you can add rosemary and lavender essneetial oils to Moringa cold pressed oil for pain relief.
- A gentle massage with the mixed oil before slipping into bed will help you sleep better
- Add a few drops to warm bath water
- You can inhale the essential oil and carrier oil blend directly from a bottle to soothe your nerves. Be aware the sometimes directly being in contact or inhaling the pure essential oil can be a trigger to some due to the intensity
- Disperse in your room using an oil dispenser
- Never ever eat/drink essential oil! They are highly concentrated and can cause serious side effects
- Do a patch test to check for allergies and sensitivity reactions
- Some essential oils do react with drugs, so if you have a prescription drug you take regularly, ask your doctor
CAUTIONARY NOTE:
There are a few who may suffer from sensitivity to fragrances and scents and may aggravate a few symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is also possible that at first you may notice any effects, but after continued long use you may develop an intolerance. It is best to use aromatherapy in small quantities and be watchful of reactions. Those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity should be more cautious.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the bones and muscles. The medical community finds the condition difficult to diagnose due to its similarity with other chronic pain illnesses like osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. The difference between these conditions and fibromyalgia is in the areas of pain – in the former, you are racked with pain in specific areas, but in fibromyalgia, the pain is widespread. That's why diagnosis is made by the process of elimination. Here's an interesting fact: records show over 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women.
DISCLAIMER: All opinions and suggestions shared are from our Founder’s detailed research and experiences in managing symptoms in her own battle with fibromyalgia
PRODUCT LINKS BELOW:
ROSE AFTER BATH + FACE OIL / ROSE SOY CANDLE / ROSE BATH SOAP
Rose is known to help boost confidence and feel positive, which is why we call this blend the beautifying oil
JASMINE AFTER BATH + HAIR OIL / ARDOUR SOY CANDLE
Jasmine helps to release tension, calms the nerves and also considered an aphrodisiac scent. Jasmine Sambac is used in the oil blend and Jasmine Grandi Flora in ARDOUR SOY CANDLE
RELIEF / SLEEP BATH + FOOT SALT SOAK
Both have essential oils that help achieve the name of the product! Read the benefits of each of them here and here.