Essential
Oil Therapy/Aromatherapy
for Bowel Problems
Digestive problems plague a sizable portion of the
population. Many people
are reluctant to talk about it, however, if you take a walk down the
digestive aide aisle in a drugstore, it will be apparent that it is
a large problem. A
healthy digestive system is vital for optimal health.
Digestive
enzymes can help the stomach breakdown food.
The stomach juices are loaded with enzymes that facilitate
the digestion of the food we eat.
As we age, we produce less of these.
Supplementation can support the stomach.
Bromelain and papain come from pineapple and papaya, and are
useful in aiding protein digestion.
Constipation is commonly caused by poor diet, either
inadequate fiber or fluid intake, or a severely restricted diet.
Poor bowel habits are another common cause of constipation,
due to poor toilet training, a change in daily routine (i.e.,
travel), ignoring the urge to defecate.
A common treatment for constipation is to increase bulk or
fiber in the diet. Fruits
and vegetables as well as Psyllium and bran can increase stool bulk
and promote peristalsis. Commonly
people turn to harsher means for relief.
Laxatives increase transit of stool through the intestinal
tract. They can
interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients and drugs.
Wetting agents make the stool softer, by allowing water to be
absorbed into it, thus increasing bulk, which increases peristalsis.
Osmotic agents and saline cathartics keep fluid in the
intestine, increasing the volume of matter in the bowels and
promoting elimination. These
may interfere with the patient’s electrolyte and fluid balance.
Most commonly used
treatments of constipation are harmful when used over the long term.
Essential oil therapy is a more natural way to restore normal
bowel function.
Treating bowel problems with essential oils is an effective
way to restore normal bowel function.
Essential oils for
bowel problems. The best way to apply essential oils for any
sort of bowel problems is by massage to the lower abdomen over the
colon. Once the
appropriate oils are chosen, they can be applied in a carrier such
as Grape seed or
St. John's
Wort oil and particularly Calendula infused oil which is very
nourishing to the skin, or in a cream.
Application should be twice a day, once in the evening and
then first thing in the morning.
Each session should last 5 to 7 minutes.
Massage should follow the direction of peristalsis following
the movement of food - clockwise start and the lower right part of
the lower abdomen where the appendix might me and up the ascending
colon, across the transverse colon and down the descending colon
ending at the top of the pubis.
Massage Treatments with essential oils (EO),
herbs and hydrosols:
Black
Pepper (Piper nigrum).
The EO is a tonic and rubefacient, stimulates circulation,
atonic muscles. It
balances digestive functions, treating constipation, sluggish
bowels, diarrhea and flatulence. The herb/pepper is irritating to
the bowel while the essential oil applied by massage is not.
Cinnamon
Leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
A muscular and circulatory stimulant, digestive, carminative,
stomachic. Best for
constipation due to debility, nervous exhaustion and stress-related
conditions.
Sweet
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).
A circulatory stimulant, tonic and stomachic, depurative.
It treats constipation, anorexia, colic and dyspepsia.
It should be avoided in pregnancy.
Ginger
(Zingiber officinalis) a
digestive and circulatory stimulant and tonic, laxative and
carminative. Can be used
for loss of appetite.
Grapefruit
(Citrus paradisi).
A lymphatic and digestive stimulant, tonic.
It treats muscle fatigue, nervous exhaustion and performance
stress.
Hyssop
(Hyssopus officinalis) A
digestive and circulatory tonic, treats colic and indigestion.
Can be used for emotional factors like, anxiety, fatigue and
nervous tension. It
should be avoided during pregnancy.
Lemon
Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) A
digestive tonic, specific for colitis.
The essential oil is expensive and should be reserved for
inhalation or application by massage, the hydrosol can be taken
internally as a tonic, several times a day from
4 p.m.
on to bedtime. It is
also relaxing.
Sweet
Marjoram (Origanum majorana).
A laxative, stomachic, tonic, hypotensive.
It can treat constipation, colic, and flatulence.
It is also a sedative, and can reduce anxiety, tension, and
panic and childhood hyperactivity.
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
stimulates circulation, a digestive, and stomachic and general
tonic. It can treat
debility and nervous exhaustion.
Sage (Salvia
officinalis). A laxative, stomachic, tonic and digestive.
Avoid during
pregnancy.
Essential
oils and Hydrosols for Gastro-duodenal ulcer
or Bowel Problems:
Name
|
Properties
|
Specific
compounds
|
Route
|
Notes:
|
Anethum
graveolens
Dill weed/seed
|
Stimulant,
antispasmodic properties
|
Monoterpenes,
monoterpenoid oxides, ketones
|
Oral & Massage
|
Tea and hydrosol
can be taken in conjunction with e.o.
*Children
|
Artemisia
dracunculus
Tarragon
|
Antispasmodic
|
Ethers (methyl
chavicol), coumarin, monoterpenes
|
Oral & Massage
|
Tea and hydrosol
can be taken in conjunction with e.o.
|
Cinnamomum
zeylanicum
Cinnamon bark
|
Anti-infective
|
Aldehydes (cinnamic
aldehyde), monoterpenes
|
Oral & Massage
|
Always use in
combo with a hepatic-protective EO (i.e. Rosmarinus off.)
|
Cistus
ladanifer
Labdanum
|
Anti-hemorrhagic,
healing agent
|
Monoterpenes,
ketones, monoterpenols
|
Oral & Massage
|
Best used with
citrus or seed oils.
|
Citrus
aurantium
Orange peel
|
Anti-inflammatory,
healing agent
|
Esters (linalyl
acetate), monoterpenol (linaloöl)
|
Oral & Massage
|
Aromatic tonic for
the digestive system.
*Children
|
Coriandrum
sativum
Coriander seed
|
Anti-inflammatory,
intestinal antiseptic
|
Aldehydes
|
Oral & Massage
|
Tea and hydrosol
can be taken in
conjunction with
e.o.
*Children
|
Cuminum
cyminum
Cumin
seed
|
Calming, strong
anti-spasmodic, stimulating digestive
|
Monoterpenes and
aldehydes
|
Oral & Massage
|
Recommended also
as massage oil for
dyspepsia, gas and spasms in the gut.
*Children
|
Cupressus
sempervirens
Cypress
|
Healing agent,
anti-inflammatory, astringent
|
Monoterpenes,
sesquiterpenes, ester, sesquiterpenol
|
Oral & Massage
|
Tea and hydrosol
can be taken in
conjunction with
e.o.
|
Syzygium
aromatica
Clove buds
|
Powerful
anti-infective, bactericide
|
Phenols (eugenol),
esters (eugenyl acetates)
|
Oral & Massage
|
Always use in
combo with a hepatic-protective EO (i.e. Rosmarinus off.)
|
Hyssopus
officinalis
Hyssop
|
Analgesic, healing
agent
|
Ketones (isopinocamphone),
oxide (1.8-cineole), monoterpenes (B-pinene)
|
Oral & Massage
|
Caution: use low
dose (5-15%, it is hepatic-toxic and neurotoxic at a high
dose)
|
Illicium
verum
Star
Anise
|
Healing agent and
anti-spasmodic
|
Ethers (trans
anethole?)
|
Oral & Massage
|
For colitis and
spasms
|
Juniperus
communis
Juniper berry
|
Healing agent,
anti-degeneration
|
Monoterpenes (a-pinene),
sesquiterpenes
|
Oral & Massage
|
Antiseptic
tonic for the digestive system. Hydrosol is very useful.
|
Laurus
nobilis
Mediterranean
Bay leaf
|
Anti-infective,
anti-degeneration (bad), anti-putrescence
|
Oxide (1.8
cineole), monoterpenes, esters, ether
|
Oral & Massage
|
Restructures,
reorganizes the epithelial tissue. Hydrosol in addition to the
e.o.
|
Matricaria
recutita
Blue Chamomile oil
|
Duodenal
anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic
|
Sesquiterpenes and
azulene, sesquiterpenol, sesquiterpenol oxide
|
Oral & Massage
|
Indicated for
woman who have stomachaches when they are feeling stressed
*children
|
Excerpted from
Aromatherapy Quarterly, Spring 1995, # 44, by Alan Barker and Linda
Stowers
In addition, other
pertinent material including articles in French as well as
information gathered from Jeanne Rose classes in Aromatherapy - www.jeannerose.net/articles.
Encopresis
is the correct word and other spellings as listed below are probably
incorrect. Encopresis is the
soiling of the underwear with stool by children who are past the age
of toilet training. ...
www.aboutencopresis.com
Bibliography:
Bellman,
M (1966) Studies on Ecopresis. Acta
Paediatrica Scandinavica. Supplement No. 70.
Bucco,
G. Coping
with Digestive Distress. Health
Products Business. June
1999.
Doleys,
D.M., Schwarx, M.S., Ciminero, A. R. (1981) Elimination
Problems: Enuresis & Enopresis in Mash E.J. &
Terdahl L.G. (Eds.) Behavioral Assessment of Childhood Disorders.
2nd Edition.
New
York
,
Guildford
Press.
Fritz,
G.K & Armbrust, J. (1982) Enuresis & Encopresis. Psychiatric Clinics of
North
America
. Vol. 5, No. 2 August.
Grosjean,
N. L'Aromatherapie Sante at
Bien-etre par les Huiles Essentielles.
Prichard/Davies,
Royal
Marsden
Hospital
,
Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures.
Rose,
Jeanne. 375Essential Oils and
Hydrosols. Frog Ltd.
Berkeley
,
CA
1999.
Rutter,
M, Tizard, J & Whitmore, K. (eds.) 1970. Education,
Health & Behavior.
London
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Longman.
Shelton
,
H. La Sante par les
Combinasons Alimentaries. Nizt. 1955.
The
Merck Manual.
Valnet,
Aromatherapie, 1971 (Fayard).
All rights reserved 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. No part of this article may
be used without prior permission from Jeanne Rose.
© Authors Copyright Jeanne Rose,
info@jeannerose.net
|