Even if the notion of well-being doesn’t have a universal definition, problems or worries affecting well-being are common to all. Inflammation in any area of the body is always unpleasant. For some individuals, this has psychological and even physical impacts. Dermatoses (e.g. scabies or herpes) are particularly difficult to live with and can lead to depression. Pruritus makes you want to scratch constantly, leading to insomnia or stress. Some essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and can help you!
WHAT IS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ESSENTIAL OIL?
An anti-inflammatory essential oil is one whose aromatic compounds directly combat inflammation at its source.
What exactly is inflammation?
Inflammation is the immune system’s response to an internal aggression, such as a tumour, or an external aggression, such as an infection (bacteria or virus). It is usually local, and is accompanied by signs such as pain or tumours.
>WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND PAIN-RELIEVING, ANTALGIC AND ANALGESIC ESSENTIAL OILS?
An “anti-inflammatory” essential oil contains “active” principles that fight inflammation directly, thereby attenuating its effects.
An antalgic essential oil aims to reduce pain, which is one of the clinical signs of inflammation.
Pain-relieving” essential oils:
It is either antalgic, i.e. it reduces the body’s sensitivity to pain, or analgesic, attenuating local pain by targeting it.
THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE SKIN
The skin forms the external envelope that protects against external aggression. It can be subject to benign, infectious or malignant diseases and lesions, causing inflammation.
There are various causes:
-an imbalance in the dermis or epidermis, such as acne.
-a virus or parasite: herpes or scabies.
-a failure of the skin tissues’ immune system: psoriasis, which is the manifestation of abnormal and rapid renewal of skin cells.
-In some cases (a minority), we are still unable to define the exact cause. Such is the case with eczema. It’s characterized by a mild inflammation or irritation that makes the skin itch.
In addition, some pathologies lead to unpleasant and unsightly growths, such as corns or warts.
The anti-inflammatory EO for the skin are:
- Ho wood EO (contains trans-oxide of linalool and linalool).
Used in case of: acne, stretch marks and burns.
- Lemon EO (contains limonene, beta-pinene and citrals)
To help with: acne and sebum excess.
- Clove EO (contains eugenol)
Used in the treatment of: scabies
- Cinnamon bark EO (contains trans-cinnamaldehyde).
Helpful in case of: warts and mycosis
- Geranium EO (contains aldehyde and monoterpene ester).
Used in the treatment of: wounds, psoriasis and burns.
- Peppermint EO (contains menthol and also 1,8-cineole)
Valuable in the: relief of localised itching, eczema and hives.
- Niaouli EO (contains sesquiterpene carbides and 1,8-cineole),
Used to help with: skin infections, mycosis, herpes, warts, carbuncle, acne, burns…
- Palmarosa EO (contains Geraniol)
Beneficial against: viral infections, eczema, acne, measles
- Ravintsara EO (contains 1,8-cineole, monoterpene alcohols and alpha-pinene).
Used to help with: cold sores, viral and bacterial infections, herpes and all skin problems such as acne.
- Tea Tree EO (contains monoterpene alcohols and carbides)
Useful in case of: warts, eczema, pruritis, mycosis, cold sores, psoriasis, sebum excess…
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The respiratory system provides the body with the oxygen it needs and rejects carbon dioxide and other unnecessary gases. Some inflammatory diseases affect the respiratory system, either acutely or chronically.
-Chest pathologies
-Benign disorders of viral or microbial origin: the pathogenic agent spreads through the air and generally settles in the lungs (e.g. tuberculosis or bronchiolitis).
-Excessive reaction of the immune system: pollen allergy.
-Intense inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles.
-Asthma: this has various causes: infection, allergens, harmful substances, etc.
The anti-inflammatory essential oils for the respiratory system are:
- Eucalyptus radiata EO (contains 1,8-cineole).
to combat colds, bronchitis and pollen allergies
- Peppermint EO (contains menthol and also 1,8-cineole)
to assist in: clearing blocked noses, respiratory tract infections
- Scotch pine (contains alpha pinene)
Soothes asthma, blocked noses and respiratory tract infections.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EO FOR PROBLEMS WITH BLOOD CIRCULATION
The circulatory system consists of the heart and the body’s blood and lymph vessels. These organs are responsible for transporting blood to all the body’s organs. A variety of disorders can lead to inflammation of the bloodstream:
– diseases affecting blood flow
– malfunctioning of the heart, such as irregular rhythms, malformations of the aorta, etc.
-problems directly affecting the arteries: varicose veins (abnormal dilation) or constriction, such as Raynaud’s disease.
– angina pectoris
The anti-inflammatory essential oils for problems with blood circulation are:
- Cypress EO (sesquiterpene)
for: relieve congestion in the veins (varicose veins, haemorrhoids or rosacea).
- Peppermint EO (contains menthol and also 1,8-cineole).
to: regulate blood circulation.
- Patchouli EO (sesquiterpenes).
For: vasodilatation problems (haemorrhoids, varicose veins, heavy legs)
- Ylang-ylang complete EO (contains monoterpene alcohols and carbides).
to: regulate heart rate and blood pressure
- Atlas cedarwood (sesquiterpene carbides)
for: haemorrhoids, varicose veins
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EO FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The human digestive system comprises 19 organs, from the tongue to the large intestine. The digestive system is a complex system, which means that it is exposed to a wide range of disorders and illnesses. Most are benign, such as diarrhoea.
The type of digestive disease varies according to the part affected, and there are many causes of inflammation:
– weakening of the stomach lining: gastroenteritis or gastritis
– harmful organisms attack the cells of the organ directly: colitis or pancolitis, inflammation of the colon.
– inflammation of the dental pulp (all the nerves and vessels around the tooth): toothache (the teeth are part of the digestive tract)
– inflammation of the pharynx: angina
The anti-inflammatory essential oils for problems with the digestive system are:
- Eucalyptus radiata (contains 1,8-cineole)
against viral or bacterial infections, sore throats and dry mouth, particularly of the ENT system.
- Basil EO (contains lilanol)
Against gastro-enteritis, indigestion, etc.
- Cinnamon EO (contains trans cinnamaldehyde)
for: gastro-enteritis, indigestion and gastritis and diarrhoea.
- Lemon EO (contains limonene, beta pinene et citrals)
for indigestion.
- Clove EO (contains eugenol)
against stomach cramps, gastritis but mostly to treat oral and dental disorders
- Ginger (contains sesquiterpenes)
against constipation
for digestion.
- Lavander EO (contains linalol, and terpinene-4-ol)
against toothache
- Peppermint EO (contains menthol).
Against gastritis and other inflammations requiring a natural anaesthetic
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EO FOR PROBLEMS WITH BONES, JOINTS AND MUSCLES
Bones are the elements of the skeleton that support the body. The bones are joined together by joints. The role of the muscles is to enable this whole to move in a coordinated and balanced way. As with other organs, bones, joints and muscles can become inflamed:
– In the case of bones, the inflammation affects either the marrow or the bone tissue itself. Osteitis is the most common bone disease. It occurs as a result of bacterial infection.
– joints: when movement causes intense pain. Arthritis results from a bacterium choosing to develop on the joint and can lead to a chronic condition (osteoarthritis). Sometimes the infection spreads to several joints (polyarthritis or polyarthrosis).
– Muscles: damage to muscle connective tissue (dystrophy). This disorder is actually caused by a lack of nutrients or a genetic problem
The most well known anti-inflammatory essential oils for problems with the bones, joints and muscles are:
- Java citronnella EO (with components such as aldehydes terpenes and esters)
against rheumatism, arthritis and arthrosis
- Lemongrass EO (citral molecules)
against rheumatism, varicose veins and heavy legs
- Lavandin >EO (monoterpene esters and sesquiterpene carbures)
soothes aches and pains, tendonitis, muscular pain, cramps and contractions.
- Eucalyptus citriodora (contains citronellal)
for all types of rheumatic disease such as tendonitis, osteoarthritis, strains, etc …
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ESSENTIAL OILS FOR WINTER ILLNESSES
A good number of viruses only really become active during winter, when the environment becomes more favourable to their development thanks to the weakening of our immune system.
There are around ten types of winter illness, all of which are infectious in origin. They fall into two categories:
Diseases affecting the respiratory tract. The pathogen contaminates the mucous membrane of the nose (colds), bronchial tubes, pharynx and trachea, causing inflammation that can be difficult to tolerate.
digestive diseases that affect the organs of the digestive system, such as gastroenteritis. However, most of these remain benign, like seasonal flu.
Inflammatory connections such as winter frostbite. These mainly affect the extremities of the body (ears, fingers or toes) and cause very painful burns. The cold causes the affected parts of the body to swell and turn red. This is due to a reduction in the calibre of the blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood flowing to them. Eventually they cool down.
The anti-inflammatory essential oils for winter illnesses are:
- >Ravintsara EO (contains 1,8-cineole, monoterpene alcohol and alpha-pinene).
For the treatment of bronchitis, otitis, nasopharyngitis, influenza, hay fever, bronchitis and various viral infections of the respiratory tract such as rhinitis.
- Eucalyptus radiata EO (contains 1,8-cineole).
against colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, allergies and dry coughs
- Clove EO (contains eugenol)
against angina.
- Wintergreen EO (contains methyl salicylate)
For
- Peppermint EO (contains menthol and also 1,8-cineole)
Against colds, flu, blocked noses, headaches and other respiratory ailments.
- Niaouli EO (contains sesquiterpene carbures and 1,8-cineole)
anti sinusitis, coughs, viral infections, otitis, bronchitis and colds.
- Tea tree EO (contains alcohols and monoterpene carbures)
against bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
- Thyme linalool EO (contains Terpinéol and linalol)
soothes laryngitis, sore throat, sinusitis and bronchitis
- Cypress EO (contains sesquiterpene carbures)
against dry cough and loss of voice.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EO LINKED TO INTIMATE DISORDERS
Most intimate problems are linked to vaginal flora and therefore particularly affect women, whose irritation and itching can be explained by a number of factors:
- hypersensitivity of the skin to a particular fabric or product. For example: a sanitary towel.
- mycoses or parasitic fungi. These multiply to abnormal proportions on the vaginal flora and create an imbalance.
- Menstruation is also a source of burning and pain when it occurs at the same time as a uterine infection.
- Sexually transmitted infections or diseases are among the most serious causes of inflammation, particularly in men
- a dermatosis: eczema (skin rash) or psoriasis (appearance of red patches on the epidermis).
The anti-inflammatory essential oils for soothing intimate disorders are:
- Cinnamon EO (trans cinnamaldehyde).
Against the proliferation of mycosis and genital infections
- >Clary sage EO (monoterpene alcohols).
against mycosis and skin inflammation in the genital area
- Ylang-ylang complete EO (contains monoterpene alcohols and carbures)
anti menstrual pain
for sexual appetite
