Using essential oils to support you through the side effects of chemo & radiation therapy
Essential oils have long been used to help improve our health and emotional well-being. Now, a growing number of studies are starting to suggest that using essential oils may also support you through the side effects of chemo and radiation therapy.
How does aromatherapy work?
The scent inhaled from an essential oil is captured by the scent receptors in your nose, sending chemical messages via the olfactory nerve to the limbic region of your brain. Once received, potential positive effects can be felt on your emotional responses, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.
Aromatherapy therefore has the potential to help alleviate a number of health and well-being concerns.
How can using essential oils support you through the side effects of chemo and radiation therapy?
Essential oils have been used by cancer patients as a complimentary therapy to increase their general well-being. Although research is limited at the moment, patients have reported an increased ability to cope with some of the emotional and psychological effects of living with cancer.
Certain oils (which we’ll cover in a moment) are attributed to helping reduce anxiety, pain, stress, tiredness, nausea and helping you to sleep better. There is also some research to suggest the use of essential oils may help relieve bacterial infections and stimulate the immune system.
Additionally, they can help you feel like you’re helping yourself through this difficult time.
Which essential oils should you use?
There is some literature to suggest smelling any scent you find pleasurable will help regardless of it’s intent. So if you’d like to boost your mood in particular, pick scents which evoke positive feelings for you.
Alternatively, here are some essential oils to try:
Ginger: reduce nausea.
Chamomile: promote calm.
Basil: antibacterial, help to increase energy.
It’s important any essential oils you use are as pure as possible, without any chemicals or pollutants. OYL’E essential oil blends are 100% pure and non-adulterated. They’re also sustainably sourced, many of the ingredients can be traced back to their originating climates.
How should I use essential oils?
Essential oils can be applied topically (when mixed with a carrier oil) through skin massage, inhaled or diffused.
However, when undergoing treatment for cancer, it’s really important to check with an expert which essential oils can be massaged into your skin as some treatments can make the skin far more sensitive.
Instead, inhalation of your chosen essential oil is often the better method in this situation. You can inhale directly from the vial or decant some on to a tissue. Aromatherapy diffuser necklaces and bracelets are also a great solution here too.
Just remember to always seek advice from a qualified aromatherapist.
Essentially, aromatherapy and essential oils may help to make things a little easier.
When used properly essential oils are a simple and enjoyable way to complement your treatment, potentially reducing your anxiety, boosting your energy, lifting your mood and helping to improve the quality of your sleep.
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