gigimac
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33353
posted
I have become interested in essential oils. Which ones are good for Lyme and General health? So far I have just bought ones for their pleasant scent, like rose, vanilla, lavender, and thieves oil.
I have an ultrasonic cool diffuser. Do u guys diffuse or apply topically?
I mostly have the now brand of oils. Should I go with a better brand?
Posts: 1534 | From Greensboro NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I've found that Thyme is quite active against Lyme and cos. I use it topically in a 1:1 mixture with Lavender Fine, as they seem to be synergistic. I actually applied 4 drops of each in a Jojoba carrier oil a few days ago, and am currently herxing pretty hard.
I have a diffuser but I mostly use it with oils for their calming effect similar to burning incense.
Posts: 131 | From CO | Registered: Jul 2015
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Reason for that being that a peppermint oil roll-on (by a Canadian company called Saje) has been the only thing that has reduced my Babesia headaches. This has worked much better than heavy-duty drugs.
According to Buhner (and, I believe, a study), the terpene Nerolidol inhibits babesia. Nerolidol is found in the following oils: neroli, ginger, jasmine, lavender, tee tree and lemongrass.
I've Googled that others have used Thieves oil and frankincense with success.
Oh, and it's important to buy GOOD quality oils. While I've used other NOW products before, I don't think they specialize in essential oils. So I'd be wary ...
I just found a US company called Well Scent (well-scent.com), which is supposedly endorsed by Dr. K.
I just ordered a few oils from them. We'll see.
[ 12-30-2015, 03:54 AM: Message edited by: Nula ]
-------------------- I appreciate all your replies. If it takes me a while to respond, it is either because I'm too sick or because I am unable to log in. From European servers, Lymenet is very frequently inaccessible for days at a time ... Posts: 235 | From Europe | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Whoa those Well Scent oils are crazy expensive, $35 for 15ml of Tea Tree?! I agree that it's important to try to look for high quality oils but at a certain point I think companies can take advantage of this fear of impure oils that has been instilled in consumers (oftentimes by YL marketing).
I've been ordering mine for a few years from originalswissaromatics.com which is owned by Kurt Schnaubelt who has written a few books on essential oils. I took a course he gave once and he seems legit.
But I consider their oils on the expensive side as well. I ordered some Sun Essentials cinnamon bark oil from Amazon recently for a lot less.
I think for certain oils like Tea Tree and Cinnamon there is little to no risk of adulteration unlike with more expensive difficult to source oils.
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(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
posted
I use Well Scent's Balance formula SusanK and I use one drop a day topically.
I use this in addition to antibiotics and herbs prescribed by my llmd.
I take oregano oil in either capsule form or topically on and off too.
-------------------- unsure445 Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Unsure- How do you "use" the oils? Above mention of 1 drop per day and such, for example.
Is that internally? Or transdermal? Or diffuser?
`````````````````````````````````````` Nula- I have a combo oil (roll-on)- just geranium and peppermint- that does wonders for my babesia headaches too. Interesting.
I apply it to my forehead and jaw bones at night and it really helps. Good to see the combo you are using.
One of those studies mentions an oil working synergistically with Levaquin to kill Brucella. I figure if there are legit studies on the oils that maybe there's something to them...
I'm starting to try oregano and a thieves blend. I'm taking abx too. Too early to give any reports though.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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Oils are often antimicrobial as they are able to easily penetrate bacterial and viral membranes and disrupt them (most viruses have a lipid envelop). This is also why soap is naturally antimicrobial (it's made from fat).
Posts: 131 | From CO | Registered: Jul 2015
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
What oils are recomended in that book?... what is antispirochette....,
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
I don't think that textbook looked at treating spirochetal infections with essential oils. It was more about providing the scientific framework on why oils are antimicrobial in general.
posted
Thank you project and Sicksam for your excellent essential oil links-- I will include them on my Spirochaeticidal and antibiofilm compounds list.
Essential oils are amazing!!
One caveat though-- don't ingest them internally without major research. They can kill, blind or maim if used in too large a dose internally.
That said, I personally use about one or two drops of pure organic 100% lemon oil (Young Living- food grade ONLY) in my iced tea, and it is delicious!!
Posts: 696 | From New York | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
She said further on in her write up that she used them both orally and topically at first, and then later just topically on her entire body.. She gives her mixture ratios and such further down too.
That's one link I've been referring to quite often in trying to figure these things out! Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
"Nula- I have a combo oil (roll-on)- just geranium and peppermint- that does wonders for my babesia headaches too. Interesting."
Wow, Tincup, that IS, indeed, interesting! Glad to have found someone else with the same experience :-)
When I first tried it out, I was thinking, "Whatever. Another one of those things that won't work ..."
But it is working much better than anything else I've tried. And I've tried a lot!
-------------------- I appreciate all your replies. If it takes me a while to respond, it is either because I'm too sick or because I am unable to log in. From European servers, Lymenet is very frequently inaccessible for days at a time ... Posts: 235 | From Europe | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I haven't read through, so someone may have already suggested this. If so, sorry.
There used to be a poster here called Farrah (I think that's the spelling) who was quite expert in using these oils and made many informative posts. She was very kind and patient and helpful with me when I had questions. I think at the time she had recovered using these oils, or had gotten very close. I think it was also her vocation, but not sure.
You could try doing a search using her name and "essential oils."
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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The spelling is Farah and here is a formula she used and info:
I am an acupuncturist, and I was lucky enough to be treating some patients with Lyme disease when I contracted it myself, so it didn't take me too long to figure out what I had. Doctors have still not figured out what I have, of course.
First I got doxycycline off the internet to treat myself. That helped a lot, but then I started having gastrointestinal problems from the antibiotics.
Since I am really someone who prefers a holistic approach to conventional medicine anyway, I stopped the antibiotics and I am doing other things now-primarily aromatherapy.
The essential oils are anti-bacterial and immune stimulating. I take hot baths with the oils, since heat helps my body to kill off the bacteria. I have an infrared heat lamp that I use on parts of my body that are acting up.
And the thing that I do that has helped me the most is a massage oil that I made up for myself with the essential oils.
In a base of one ounce grapeseed oil I put in the following amounts of essential oil: 20 drops patchouli 20 drops frankincense 25 drops lemon 7 drops thyme 5 drops geranium 35 drops eucalyptus
I rub this oil into whatever part of the body I am having symptoms (except eyes and genitals), and they go away pretty quickly, sometimes within five minutes, sometimes after repeated application through the day.
I use it on my head when I feel like I am getting brain symptoms and the brain symptoms go away. The essential oils cross the blood brain barrier.
My leg got really painful and weak one day, and I applied the oil to my leg and the pain and weakness went away.
When I have ear pain or hearing problems I stick a drop down my ear and the problem goes away.
This has been working so well that I am getting close to feeling normal after a month of use. I carry it around and use it whenever I need to.
People notice you smell nice, and I can get a bit oily by the end of the day, but it has been quite empowering to know I can venture out of my house now because I won't get sick and go crazy all of a sudden.
I use it all over my body at night before I go to bed, so it soaks into my skin all night long.
I wouldn't use this oil if I was pregnant or prone to seizures, and I would use it much more sparingly if I was on other medication, because I don't know how it would interact, but if anyone is interested in trying it out, I would be interested in knowing if it helped them, also.
The only side effects I have had are better looking skin, an increase in energy, and I am not catching colds or flus that are going around.
Sincerely, krfarah
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
[ 01-07-2016, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posts: 705 | From WA state | Registered: Jul 2011
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Lula said... "When I first tried it out, I was thinking, "Whatever. Another one of those things that won't work ..."
HA! We are both on the same page with that thought!
I actually got mine free as a gift from a store the first time around. ALMOST tossed it as it sounded rather "dumb".
Now I refill it by mixing the oils myself as they've stopped making it. And to note- the one matching ingredient in both our roll-ons is the peppermint oil.
Wonder if it (peppermint) would work by itself?
But, interesting as you said, that we both got good results.
posted
I grew up using essential oils for just about everything so incorporating them into my Lyme protocol became kind of second nature. Close friends are aromatherapists and I enjoy preparing salves and oils from herbs grown in my garden.
The following are some of my favorites which can be added to a 'carrier oil' like cosmetic grade Grapeseed oil, Olive oil, Sweet Almond Oil - or for dry skin, Jojoba oil or Carrot oil. The essential oils can also be used in a diffuser but I don't recommend burning the oils. Facial and body steaming in the shower, sauna or simply adding to a bowl of hot water (that you stick your head over, covered by a towel) is also a wonderfulway to use the oils. Some essential oils are fine to be used 'neat' or directly on the skin - but check first, as some can cause irritation.
A couple of places to get essential oils - LuckyVitamin.com or MountainRoseHerbs.com
There are lots of great books out there on essential oils. Valerie Wormwood or Rosemary Gladstar have good introductory books with helpful info.
My favorite essential oils to use...
Lavender - A staple to have around the house! It's antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antispasmodic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and more. Good for skin detoxing (steam or use topically) and useful for a number of skin ailments from burns and rashes to acne. Helpful for insomnia and anxiety attacks.
Ravinsara - similar to Eucalyptus but softer scent & more encompassing therapeutically. It's antidepressant, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiallergenic and more. Really amazing for any lung related conditions (amazing for Mycoplasma, colds, allergies, etc.,..) and for depression. Can be used via steamed or used topically.
Frankincense - This is found under the name Boswellia in powdered capsule form also. As an essential oil it can run a little expensive but does wonders for pain, inflammation & the immune system in general. It's anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial and has digestive, diuretic and expectorant properties and more. Used best topically but use in a diffuser has a calming affect on the body/nerves/mind.
Clove - It's antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral and has digestive and blood purifying properties. It's great for toothaches, digestive issues, wounds, fungal infections and headaches. This oil can be used (sparingly) internally, topically or via facial/body steaming.
Cinnamon - A great blood purifier and digestive, also antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic and antimicrobial. Great for pain & inflammation. Can use topically (though use care near mucus membranes) and via steam or diffuser.
Peppermint - a great pick-me-up, digestive and antispasmodic. It works well for headaches, fatigue, upset stomach and for relaxing your muscles.
I love a blend of Neroli, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-Ylang and/or Sandalwood for stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalances and things of an 'imbalanced psychiatric nature'
I use a blend of Frankincense, Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger, St Johns Wort and Arnica (the later two as herbal diffusions) for my neuralgias, mialgias and arthalgias.
Theives oil is a blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils. A recipe is easy to find online. This combo is great for most things that may ail you Lyme-wise.
Hope the info helps. Also I'd say trust what essential oils appeal best to you - it's a curious thing, but I've always found that it's a great way to know what you're body will respond to best. Sense of smell usually becomes heightened/sensitive under physical or emotional stress and so you tend to be drawn to the essential oils that are most healing for you individually.
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