Aromatherapy That May Help Relieve Some PTSD Symptoms

[amethist]

I have been wanting to start this for months, but time, work and a lack of confidence have held me back. But no more I am off and running with it now, so lets get going with a quick introduction, how it works and safety notes.

I am not a professional by any means, but have spent hours reading books, researching on the Internet, picked peoples brains who know more than I do, plus I have done a short course at night school. As well as using it a lot at home to help my husband with his ptsd.

Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years, the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all used Aromatherapy Oils. Hippocrates was know to use them in fumigators to rid Athens of the Plague.

In the 1930's a French chemist researched the effects of different oils, after finding that lavender helped heal his burnt hand without leaving any scars. Then during world war II a French army surgeon used essential oils as antiseptics.

So how does it work on stress for starters. Smell is the only one of our major senses that bypasses the neo-cortex and get into the the oldest parts of out brain, "The Reptilian Part", those parts that have a lot to do with how we experience danger and stress. It is the intense effect they have that make them such a good choice.

Aromatherapy gets straight in there, and cuts through everything, some say it's like a slap in the face, like they used to do to snap people out of what they were thinking at the time, but a lot more pleasant. I know which one I prefer, this is surely a nicer way to de-stress.

There is an old Chinese proverb I found when I first started out with Aromatherapy, as they say in moments of real stress.

Don't pray for less stress. Pray for a stronger back.

Maybe a lot to ask when you are a sufferer of ptsd, but when put in context of some of the big tree that Oils like Pine, Cypress, Fir or Bay you can understand what the meaning is behind it.

There are some out there who will say "Yea right and how is that going to work", then try this:-

Put a Lime or lemon close by you, in a drawer or pocket, when you feel a bit of stress creeping up on you, pick it up, give it a gentle squeeze, roll it in your hands, then inhale the aroma from your hands for a short while, and see how you feel then. So if that works, imagine how good the oils will work.

This is a simple one I found on a site I use quite a lot.

Just before you go to bed at night, fill bowl or sink with hot water and a small amount of washing up liquid. Add a few drops of one of the following Oils. You could use Dill, Lemon Grass, Orange, Rose or Bergamot. 3 to 4 drops will be enough, the liquid is to help the oil mix in the water. Then close the kitchen door behind you and let the majic work while you sleep. These oils are all uplifting in different ways and are wonderful to wake up to.

This is just to give you an idea of what they can be used for and how they can work, but there are well over a 100 different essential oils which may help different symptoms of ptsd and other connected illnesses. Many of which can be used together or on their own to help relieve various ptsd symptoms.

Next time I will post up the basic safety guide lines and which essential oils not to use when pregnant or out in the sun.

 

[ISupportHer]

Thanks so much for this Amethist. Personally, I think that anything that helps is a positive resource. This certainly includes alternative therapies! I look forward to learning from you and your experince with aroma therapy.

ISH

 

[Tija]

Very nice post, Amethist. I l-o-v-e lime and am naturally attracted to that scent! It is ideal for stress... Other ones that work well for me are Vanilla and Lavender .

Skinbiology has a Lavender scent with plant pheromones in it, and it is supposed to attract people to you and make them friendlier towards you. It really does work, but the phenomenon that is even stranger is that it also makes me like myself better too!!? It's a definite mood lifter!!

Take care Tija

 

[Marlene]

I would love to be able to find a scent that helped my anxiety when it spikes. I could carry a small sachet bag in my purse for when it happens at work. That way I could just enhale a good scent and get my mind unclouded and not ruled by fear. THAT I would love.

Lisa

 

[amethist]

Please read all the safety notes before you use any of the essential oils and blends I post on here.

I cannot be held responsible for anyone using them incorrectly, so please follow the instructions carefully. You can by all means try different ones out for your selves, but again check if it is safe for the use intended.

If you are unsure about any of the oils, then feel free to ask me, as I do have a lot of information available, but there is too much to post everything on here.

All Essential Oils are highly concentrated and should only be used in a carrier unless otherwise stated.

Because they are so powerful, they can be toxic if used incorrectly. So as long as you follow the safety tips, guide lines and handle them in the carefully you should have no problems as all.

Never at any time should you take essential oils orally. Contact with the delicate mouth area and your eyes, should be avoided at all times. If you do accidentally slash a drop of essential oil into you eye, use a small amount of base oil to dilute it, then absorb this with a soft cloth before rinsing your eye with plenty of cold water. If it more than a drop, or a bad reaction then please seek medical attention, taking the bottle of essential oil with you.

There are a few oils that can be used undiluted on the skin, but only occasionally and for specific circumstances with selected oils.

A few of the Essential Oil's are Photo Toxic, such as Bergamot and some of the Citrus oils. The meaning of this is that they may cause skin discolouration in bright sunlight, even when diluted. so maybe avoid using these if you are going out in the sun with exposed skin. I will let you know which ones are Photo Toxic as we a go along.

When using the oils, please remember to put the top back on the bottle and try not to spill them on anything. They can damage polished wood and metal's, they can even put holes in space age plastic which is supposed to be indestructible.

There are a few oils that should not be used in pregnancy, with high blood pressure as well as some that are Hazardous and should be avoided at all times.

That will do for now, next time I will start with the simpler ones to use for Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression and to aid Sleep.

Have fun but take care.

Amethist

 

[amethist]

Hi Lisa

The next Blog I post up will be about some of the different Essential Oils you can use for different symptoms of ptsd, not sure which way to go with this just yet. I will maybe start by listing various ptsd symptoms and the oils that can work best for each one, and in what dilution of essential oil to carrier oil to use.

There are so many variations and combinations that there will be one among'st them that you like and will work well for you.

If you let me know which type of aroma's you like to start with, then I can find some for you to try. It could be flowery, sweet or even citrus, as I said above there are so many to choose from, there will be something that will be what you are looking for, or even a blend of 2 or 3 oils mixed in a carrier oil that you can use like a perfume. I will explain all that as I get to how to also blend combinations of oils to get what you need for whatever symptom.

Amethist

 

[Jimmy]

Hey Amethist, love the blog. Am looking forward to your posts regarding oils for Anxiety and Sleep.

Jimmy

 

[amethist]

When you have decide which oils you would like to use, choose carefully where you buy them from. There are some which are very cheap so possibly have been diluted to the point of being no use at all.

Good quality oils should have the Latin name as well as the common name on the bottle or advertisement if you are buying them from a shop or on line. (I will give you some reliable on line shops for the U.S and U.K later). If they don,t then it might just be a chemical substitute, so these will again be of no use as they will not work. OK the will smell the same but that's it.

Some plants have nicknames, so again look for the Latin name as some are sold under different names, but should still carry the Latin on the label. If it does not then don't buy it.

Always buy your oils that are packaged in brown bottles, and make sure they are still sealed. Look to see if where they are on display is not in direct sunlight, as this will effect them. They do need to be kept in a cool dark place if possible, I have wooden boxes for mine with little compartments for each bottle.

You don,t have to pay a fortune for your oils either, some of them start at a few pounds per 10ml bottle, but when you think you only use a few drops at a time, how far will 10mls go. You can even buy some of them in 5ml bottles, which some of the more expensive ones are sold in such as Sandalwood.

When you start buying you oils you may also like to buy a burner at the same time. If you do try and buy one with a deep bowl that sits loose above the candle. The reason for a deep bowl is so you have enough depth for the water you put in the bowl before you put in the oil you wish to use. You will see many different ones on sale in good new age shops or health food shops, you will also need tea lights too. These again do not have to cost very much, I have a lovely one I bought just a few months ago, it looked expensive but cost me less than £4.

Next Time Carrier Oils And Other Alternatives

 

[ISupportHer]

In the States, health food stores are probably the best place without ordering online. At least where I live. These stores usually have extensive alternative therapy products.

ISH

 

[amethist]

By Carrier Oils we mean a base for which to dilute your Essential Oils into for use. These are used for massage, which can be very relaxing for the anxiety of ptsd. This does not mean you cannot use them yourself, though it is nice if someone can massage your back and shoulders when needed. As the massage effect helps in the first stages of relaxation, some say it also has the Reiki effect too, meaning an intention of healing from the person giving the massage.

There are many ways to do this including different kinds of what are sometimes called base oils, but this is not essential as you can use basic moisturising creams, shower gels, baby lotion and shampoos too. Always choose the ones that have no perfumes added to them, or you will not get the benefit of the Aromatherapy you were trying for.

Having said that some of the carrier oils used in Aromatherapy have their own therapeutic properties, which could be an added benefit.

There are many Base Oils to choose from, the most well known being Sweet Almond Oil. This one though is not advisable to use if you have a nut allergy. This is very good to soften dry skin, sunburn and can help relieve skin inflammation.

Apricot Kernel Oil is very similar to Sweet Almond Oil and is good for mature skin and is a nice oil to use on sensitive skin too. again be aware of nut allergies if using this one.

You can also use sunflower oil, even the cooking variety, as it is light enough to use if you want to and as long as you use fresh oil it would be OK. This is good for bruises, Skin diseases and asthma.

Rather than use any of the above base oils you can used other types of carrier instead. A basic moisturising cream such as aqueous is really good as it has no perfume added and is widely use for skin conditions, and will soak into the skin easily.

If you want add essential oils to shower gels or shampoo, then again buy the ones with no added perfume. You could splash out and buy them from good health food shops, but they can be expensive, but a a mild baby shampoo or simple shower gel allows you to add oils of your choice without an existing perfume spoiling the intended effect you are looking for.

Baby lotion will work just as well as some of the others already mentioned above, as it has a lightness about it, so it will not feel heavy or oily. Being specially formulated for babies, they should contain very little in the way of added perfumes, so the aroma of the essential oils comes through above anything else.

Next time: The different ways of using your oils.

 

[amethist]

There are several ways you can use essential oils, depending on which ways suits you best. From making your own massage oils to just using them in a diffuser or burner.

The simplest way of all is to just put 2 or 3 drops, no more, of your chosen oil onto a clean tissue or handkerchief. This way is good when away from home. It is also a good way for asthmatics who cannot use steam inhalation, yes it can be used for Asthma, as long as the directions are followed correctly. It is an instant relief method for those who need it.

For massage oils, choose you carrier or base oil and add your essential oil to this. A guide to the amount of essential oil per amount of carrier is usually 2 -3 drops of essential oil per tablespoon or 20 mls of carrier, depending on its intended use and recipe.

For use in a warm bath, not too hot, though as this could over stimulate if you are using this method to relax before bed. As you al know Oil does not mix in water very well, so a good way to do this is to mix 5 -10 drops of your chosen oil to a few spoons of full fat milk or cream if you want to splash out. Pour this mixture under the running water and it should mix in well as you fill the tub.

Moisturising creams for you hands, face and body. You can mix small amounts of these and store them in small glass jars, like the individual jam pots. Put 2 -3 tablespoons of your cream into the jar and add the oil or oils of your choice, mix it well then label the jar carefully. Again 2 -3 drops of essential oil to each 20mls of carrier.

A good one to keep handy is a Lavender one, especially if you are prone to burning yourself when cooking. For small burns, after cooling it under running cold water, gently rub a small amount of the cream onto the it. This will help the healing process, keep applying for a few days until it is no longer sore and has healed enough to be left.

Please remember though for all serious burns or ones that become infected please seek medical attention.

It should keep for 3 months with out any problems, as long as the lid is kept on when not in use and you have cleaned the jars properly before using them.

In a burner. Put a few tablespoons of warm water in the bowl of your burner, then add 2 - 3 drops of your chosen essential oil to the water. Carefully light the tea light under the bowl and let the heat do the work. Please be especially careful with this method if you have children, animals or even older people about. Take care yourself if you are not feeling too good, so as not to tip it over accidentally. Remember not to let it burn dry and to blow out the tea light when finished.

Shower Gels. If you want to make your own aromatherapy shower gels, just buy the un-perfumed ones and add 2 -3 drops of essential oil to each 10mls of shower gel in the bottle you buy. when you have added the oil to the gel, gently turn it in your hands until it is throughly mixed in. Try not to shake the bottle as this will cause bubbles to form where oils could sit, which if you get onto your skin it could cause an adverse reaction. Then just use the gel as you would normally, but you may have to check there is no pockets of oils sitting in the bottle. If this does happen, just roll it around again, though this will only happen if you have not used it for quite a long time.

Next Time. Which oils To use For Some PTSD Symptoms.

 

[ISupportHer]

We have primarily used only the burner in our household. I learned the hard way to go easy on the number of drops added to the water. About 3 is good, more can deffinately be overpowering.

ISH