Health Concern ~ Asthma

Asthma is a complex bronchial disorder with a wide variety of root causes.  Simply described an asthma attack occurs as the air passageways become inflamed and muscles may contract both of which limit the air being taken into the lungs.  As the body tries to compensate for this loss wheezing, coughing, excess mucus or other signs of shortness of breath occur.  Symptoms can also be complicated by previous medications used to treat the problem.

Asthma varies in severity.  Most suffering will have attacks of shortness of breath interspersed with longer periods of normal breathing.  Some will have more severe attacks and others suffer milder shortness of breath continuously.  With more severe attacks immediate medical attention should be sought.  There are a number of types of asthma and sometimes it appears to run in families.  The various types include: Allergic Asthma, Exercise-Induced Asthma, Cough-Variant Asthma, Work-Related Asthma, and Nocturnal Asthma.

Allergic asthma attacks (or even other forms) may be triggered by common allergens or everyday situations.  Some of the most common are:

·    Animals (pet hair or dander)

·    Dust

·    Changes in weather (most often cold weather)

·    Chemicals in the air or in food

·    Exercise

·    Mold

·    Pollen

·    Respiratory infections, such as the common cold

·    Stress

·    Tobacco smoke

Inhalers or other techniques to quickly open air passageways are helpful to some but in other cases tend to exacerbate the problem.  Therefore using them should be carefully tested to be assured they provide positive results.  Most experts in essential oils advise a slow and metered approach to using oils with attention to what the root cause and triggers for attacks might be.

Special Precautions: With potential life threatening diseases, it is always recommended to progress with treatment under the care of a licensed medical practitioner.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends: Bergamot, Breathe, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

Essential oils based products: Life Long Vitality supplements

Also consider: Helichrysum, Lime, Marjoram, On Guard, Oregano, Thyme

Health Concern ~ Acid reflux (heart burn) and GERD

Acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) are very closely related.  Food we eat enters the stomach from the esophagus through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).  This valve, made up of muscles around the esophagus, may not close completely allowing acids (bile) and/or food to move back from the stomach into the esophagus.  With that there may be a bitter taste, the taste of some foods, or a burning sensation in the chest (heart burn).  If this progresses and happens frequently it has become GERD.

The reasons for the lower esophageal sphincter to not close properly may be mechanical.  This can happen with a hiatal hernia (part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm), pregnancy, severe weight gain, over eating, or lying down right after a meal.  Certain prescription medications including sedatives, antidepressants, high blood pressure, motion sickness, and asthma to mention a few can bring on or worsen acid reflux.  Aspirin and ibuprofens can also contribute.  Diet can also be a factor.  Items to avoid include alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, chocolate, garlic, onions, citrus, tomato, spicy, fatty foods, or tobacco.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends:  DigestZen, Ginger, Lemon, Peppermint, Sandalwood

Essential oils based products:

Also consider: Basil, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile, Wild Orange

Suggested protocols:

For adults:

• DigestZen taken internally in a capsule, add Ginger, Peppermint, or Wild Orange to strengthen.

• or ... Frankincense topically on the throat and chest

• or ... Lemon, 3 -5 drops in the back of the mouth. Follow with water.

Note: some find Peppermint helpful but others find it makes acid reflux worse.

For infants:

•  DigestZen rubbed on the feet, stomach, or chest.  (protect from the baby touching the area and rubbing their eyes)

Pregnancy:

•  Maggie Tisserand, Aromatherapy for Women speaks very highly of Sandalwood for heartburn during pregnancy. Her personal use was taking one drop internally. Our recommendation would be to seek professional confirmation of such a self-help procedure.