Essential Oil Blend

Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation

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What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is an immune response and is the body’s way of dealing with an injury or infection. It is a very natural process. Your body is constantly exposed to toxins, in the air, food, water, chemical reactions in the body ie emotional or physical and of course injury to the body’s tissues and food intolerances. When the body is overloaded with toxins and the liver is under too much pressure, they can leak through the mucous membranes resulting in catarrh or inflammation of the mucous membranes. These toxins or free radicals can also build up elsewhere in the body causing pain and infection and digestive problems.

Pain and inflammation almost always goes hand in hand. Inflammation is caused by injury or acidity and always causes degeneration and or pain. The fundamental key to reducing pain and inflammation is almost always to reduce acidity in your body. Our normal healthy pH levels internally are around pH 7.

What happens during acute inflammation?

When the body’s tissue has been damaged, the inflammation process begins within seconds. The damage may be from a physical injury, or caused by an immune response. Histamine is released causing blood vessels to dilate and become more porous allowing in more fluid and blood proteins into the interstitial spaces. White blood cells ie neutrophil, macrophages and lymphocytes, attack and ingest the foreign body. The inflamed area becomes painful as the nerve endings are stimulated to further protect the area. The area becomes red and hot to touch.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation is a long term inflammation which can last for several months. This occurs as a result of a failure to eliminate the root cause, stress or an auto immune response where the immune system is attacking it’s own healthy tissues. Examples are asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, crohn’s disease, psoriases and fibromyalgia.

Essential oils for pain and inflammation

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils encourage a process known as phagocytosis which stimulates white blood cells to ingest and clean up micro-organisims. They are the highest know anti-oxidants substances which are vital to help soak up the free radicals and balance the acid/alkaline balance. The body can handle free radicals with anti-oxidants, however, excess free radicals can cause damage to cells and contribute to aging.

Essential oils for pain and inflammation are increasingly being used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as allergy, rheumatism and arthritis. They also support the body’s first line of defence. The skin acts as a protective barrier and essential oils future support this action. When treating inflammation with essential oils, we also need to help detoxify the body, eliminating free radicals and also to help relieve pain. Essential oils with diuretic properties help to accelerate the detoxification process by stimulating the kidneys. Ie lemon, grapefruit, fennel and juniper berry. These oils will also stimulate the body’s ability to make more white blood cells.

Essential oils for anti-oxidant, analgesic and anti-Inflammatory properties

Eucalyptus has been traditionally used to clear congestion with symptoms associated with colds and flus. Diffusing eucalyptus can purify the air of harmful microorganisms.

Ginger can be used for arthritis, fatigue, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation and strains and sprains. It has a similar action to rosemary in that it stimulates the blood flow and warms the skin, bringing relief from pain and stiffness associated with inflammation.

Roman Chamomille helps sooth painful joints, muscular aches and pains, sprains, rheumatism and neuralgia. German chamomile contains chamazulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and cooling agent.

Rosemary is effective for muscular pain and rheumatism and stimulates the circulation. Do no use if you suffer with epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Peppermint is used to relieve irritated skin conditions and has a cooling effect on the skin and is an effective analgesic. Used for muscle aches and pains, respiratory and sinus congestion.

Tea tree is antiviral and antibiotic, it is a good oil to use when the skin is inflamed.

Thyme has probably the strongest anti-oxidant properties. It helps boost the immune system, has a warming effect and stimulates poor circulation.

Essential Oil Blend for Pain and Inflammation

 

How To Use Essential Oils with Carrier Oils

Carrier oils or base oils are used to dilute and to carry the essential oils into the body. Examples of carrier oils are almond, grapeseed or sunflower. Mix 6 drops of essential oil(s) to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and rub into the body (3% blend for adults).

Safety

Always do a skin test before using an essential oil. Keep vegetable oil nearby in the case of sensitivity occurring on the skin. Never use water because oil and water do not mix. Children generally use about 1/3 of the adult blends.

Leah Whipped Shea Butter

The Powerful Moisturising Properties of Shea Butter

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100% natural unrefined & organic Shea Butter is an off- white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African tree. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa. Our Shea Butter is produced by a women’s fair trade project in Ghana.  The Organic Shea Butter that Therapeutic Healing gets from Ghana, go through an initial filtering process with a fine cloth to remove any impurities, an then goes through a final cleansing process in Holland.

LEAH Whipped Shea Butter has moisturising properties &amp anti-aging properties, full of nutrients and has exceptional healing properties for the skin. Shea butter is also packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as polyphenols (anti-oxidants) and phytonutrients (protect from disease). It is high in vitamin A and oleic acid which help to maintain youthful, supple skin. Vitamin A is responsible for improving dry skin, scars, blemishes, stretch marks and wrinkles. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found naturally in many plant sources. Oleic acid’s high lipid count makes it highly compatible with the sebum naturally produced by our skin. It is able to penetrate past the outer skin layer, to deeper layers, which leads to a more intense moisture and helping with the absorption of other active ingredients. While some standard creams may simply sit on the top of the skin, those made with omega-9 fatty acids typically go much deeper, producing more profound results.

Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for ointments as it has medicinal wound healing properties which are anti-inflammatory, emollient, and humectants. It contains 5-10% phytosterol, which stimulates cell growth and repair. It can also be massaged into and around the joints where pain is experienced. It is an aid for muscle pain, swelling and arthritis.

Shea butter was a valuable commodity during the reign of Cleopatra, and it is still widely used because it is very nourishing, as well as being gentle and easily absorbed.

In summary, the powerful moisturising properties of Shea Butter is a gentle and effective and may be used to treat a number of skin conditions. Good for protecting and healing the skin, especially dry and damaged skin.  It can also be used as a conditioner to moisturise the hair and protect from dryness and it even has some natural protection from the sun’s UV rays. It can be used effectively on facial skin and won’t clog pores.

Shea Butter Uses/Treatments:

  • protects dry chapped lips
  • treats eczema and burns
  • aids skin blemishes, stretch marks and dry irritated skin
  • helps restore skin elasticity
  • natural sunscreen
  • Vitamins A & E for skin balance & normalisation
  • provides collagen for anti-aging benefits
  • pain reliever for inflammation and arthritis
  • massage aid for muscles and stiffness
  • deep nourishing hair conditioner
  • nappy rash treatment