Essential oils for treatment of gastro intestinal disorders

Transcription

1 Essential oils for treatment of gastro intestinal disorders By, Kamyar M. Hedayat, MD, FAAC President, Chief Medical Officer, Aroma MD, INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are among the most common disorders that patients complain of throughout their lives. One reason GI complaints are so prevalent is that the GI system is intimately tied to the brain and one s emotional state. The GI system is the storehouse of health and the gateway to illness. Proper GI functioning, thus, is essential to good health and a happy mood. ANATOMY The GI system starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, and includes all the digestive and supportive organs along the way: Table 1: GI physiology and anatomy ORGAN ROLE ESSENTIAL OIL Appetite Starts secretions and GI activity before food is consumed, relaxes muscles in GI tract to facilitate easier digestion ( ) Roman chamomile, ginger, peppermint ( ) Grapefruit, Pines, Smoketree Mouth Breaks down food for digestion Salivary glands Starts to break down foods for easier digestion Parotid before entering stomach Lemon, lime glands Throat Passage way for food, prevents entry of food into airways Peppermint 1 Esophagus Actively moves food down into stomach Black Pepper 2 Stomach R. chamomile, ginger, basil, Holding chamber; acids start to break down foods peppermint, Frankincense, for easier digestion Galbanum, Cardamom, 3 Sage Gall bladder Secretes bile to absorb and break down fats Peppermint, Caraway 4 7 Small intestines Absorbs nutrients Peppermint, Caraway, Tarragon, Fennel, Sage Liver Helps break down carbohydrates and stores sugars and fats Peppermint, Caraway Pancreas Helps break down fats and proteins Peppermint, Caraway Large intestines Rectum Anus Absorbs water back into body, affects consistency of stool and frequency of evacuation of stool Holds stool until ready for defecation Opens to release stool Diarrhea: Pines, G. R. Chamomile, Tea tree Constipation: Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, R. Chamomile 2008, Aroma MD Page 1

2 PHYSIOLOGY There are three main nervous systems in the body: Sympathetic (SNS): Fight or Flight Parasympathetic (PNS): Rest and digest Enteric (ENS): GI activity (also called the second brain) SNS: impaired digestion, ulcers, prolonged feelings of fullness, constipation, dry stools, etc. PNS: same symptoms as too much SNS (because the SNS has nothing to balance it out). PNS: poor digestion, burping, bloating, high cholesterol, weight gain, etc.. A diet high in fats, fried foods, sugars, white wheat and red meat can lead to too much PNS and weight gain. It can also result in sinusitis, stuffy noses, chronic immune related problems in the head and chest. The ENS works very closely with the brain, the SNS and the PNS and is strongly affected by emotions. Chronic stress, such as emotional abuse, depression, denigrating marital or family dynamics, undesirable jobs, war, poverty, chronic illnesses, cause ENS to amplify sensation of pain. Scent is an important aspect of digestion which is largely overlooked in allopathic medicine. Scent, of course, plays an important role in the enjoyment of food. Odors have a strong emotional/memory relationship based on the olfactory nerve s connection to the amygdale (emotions) and hippocampus (memory) in the limbic system. However, the olfactory nerve also synapses with the hypothalamus the master hormone gland starting a cascade of events that involve the ANS, the PNS and the ENS within a fraction of one second. BRAIN GUT CONNECTION Brain gut connection starts during fetal life. Brain and GI tract are formed from the same group of cells in the developing fetus and this relationship remains throughout life. Sense of smell is active from around 28 weeks gestation (2 nd trimester) and fetuses develop scent memory wherein they recognize the scent of the food their mother s ate or smelled during pregnancy. They prefer these scents after birth and they can increase appetite (when they are pro digestive PNS essential oils). Smell is one of the strongest scents and birth and newborns recognize their mother by their scent and can distinguish their mother s breast milk from other s breast milk by the scent. Growing up, there are only two things that a child can control in their lives what goes into their mouth, and what comes out of their anus. This is the origin of food and digestion s complex relationship to emotions. The mind rules the body, and when a person cannot express their emotions, the body expresses it for them psycho somaticization. For example, in our daily speech we say, I can t stomach the thought. We get butterflies in our stomach when we are nervous, we say that when we have extreme fear we soil our pants and we express extreme displeasure with something by saying that it makes us want to vomit. In many cultures, an angry person is described as having a hot or full liver and a depressed person as having a hot spleen. When evaluating GI problems, it is important to understand the psycho somatic role of GI disease. Sometimes, the key to helping your patient find relief is not in improving digestion (PNS) but in decreasing tension and stress (ANS) or a combination of both. Again, when dealing with altered food intake, over or under eating, it is important to address the patient s emotional relationship to food and when they eat. 2008, Aroma MD Page 2

3 DISORDERS BY AGE INFANTS Colic: A disorder affecting children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months, crying 3 hours a day or more, 3 days a week or more. Colic has many causes and it is important to consider the various causes in order to see if we need to decrease stress, increase digestion, or both. Table 2: Colic CAUSES OF COLIC Gas, distention Spasm Verbal abuse Poor gut flora Formula intolerance Maternal diet ESSENTIAL OIL Cardamom, Ginger, Galbanum, Fennel, Dill, Peppermint* Roman Chamomile, Clary sage, Roman Chamomile, Fennel, Caraway, Thyme,** Lavender, Frankincense 8 Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Cedar, Frankincense, Galbanum Lavender, Tea tree, 9 Rose Geranium; probiotics Change formula Change diet, use oils listed under gas *Do not use peppermint topically under 2 years of age to avoid skin sensitivity and rashes; Peppermint and eucalyptus can case vocal cord spasms in premature infants leading to low oxygen levels and a potential life threatening emergency of respiratory arrest **Thymus vulgaris, ct. linalool should be used on the skin METHODS INTERNAL: 10, 11 Essential oils have been shown to be safe and effective for infants taken internally. 1 3% dilution for infants for short term use 1 3 drops up to 4 times per day Internal usage can be added to formula, rubbed on gums of infant, or applied in larger doses to mother s nipple and areola before breast feeding. TOPICAL Topical applications are faster acting for intestinal problems than oral route. Gastric emptying time can be as long as 4 hours with a liquid diet, and up to 8 hours when taking a full meal Gentle, repetitive, circular massage motions: o relieve spasm o calm infant o help increase local blood flow, improving transdermal absorption 2008, Aroma MD Page 3

4 TODDLERS Constipation: infrequent passage of stool (can be hard or soft) or hard stool every time. Constipation has a strong psycho social component to it. However, important to make sure it is not a sign of a more serious disorder, such as low thyroid activity, tumors, cystic fibrosis or mild Hirschsprung disease. More common reasons for constipation in toddlers is lack of adequate fluid intake and a diet low in dietary fiber (lack of fruit, whole grains). Encourage a positive change in diet Psycho social: potty training can be a source of stress and a battle of the wills between the caretaker and the child, resulting in a child s refusal to stool on command. By holding stool, it becomes hard and painful to pass. This causes the child to hold the stool even longer in fear of pain. This expands the rectum, which means even more stool has to pile up before a child has the urge to go, which worsens the constipation The toilet becomes clogged at least once a week, leading to expensive plumber bills, leading to punishment and verbal abuse and loss of self esteem Treatment: Reduce muscle tension (c.f. table 2: Colic, under spasms ) Reduce tension among the mother and child emotionally: INTERNAL Table 3: Constipation EMOTION ESSENTIAL OIL Anger Frankincense, Cedar Fear Cedar, Roman Chamomile Depression Grapefruit, 12 Basil, 13 Holy Basil, Lavender 14 Tension Clary Sage, 15 Lavender Low self esteem Clove, Bergamot, Grapefruit Grudges Sweet marjoram, Galbanum, Frankincense Use a low concentration (0.5 %=1 drop in 2 teaspoons) in order to give 1/2 1 tablespoon of oil twice per day to lubricate and moisten the stool and deliver the anti spasmodic oils (see Table 2) TOPICAL 3 7% concentration topically 15 minutes after meals 2008, Aroma MD Page 4

5 SCHOOL AGE Stomach flu (gastro enteritis): usually a viral infection causing an inflammation and irritation of the stomach lining leading to discomfort, nausea and/or vomiting, and destruction of the bowel lining leading to cramping and/or diarrhea. Treatment Table 4: Stomach Flu SYMPTOM ESSENTIAL OIL HYDROLAT Nausea Ginger, Peppermint Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Rose Cramping Roman Chamomile, Peppermint, Fennel, Roman Chamomile, Caraway, Cardamom, Savory, Taragon Peppermint, Cumin Diarrhea Pine, Balsam Fir, German Chamomile, Pine, Balsam Fir, Cinnamon, Savory, 16 Tarragon German Chamomile Infection Clove, German Chamomile, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, 17 Peppermint Rosemary INHALED Ginger, peppermint work the fastest when inhaled for nausea and vomiting TOPICAL Works well for cramping INTERNAL Most effective in treating diarrhea and infections. For younger children who cannot swallow capsules, hydrolats (10 15 ml per 4 oz of water, sweetened with unfiltered raw honey) are a convenient and palatable way to treat infections and support diarrhea 1 drop of an essential oil of choice in 5 10 drops of olive oil every 6 to 8 hours. Use for 24 hours after symptoms are gone. TEENAGERS Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Erratic changes in stool patterns, between diarrhea and constipation, bloating, burping, food intolerance. Strong psycho social component, repressed emotions, type A personality teenagers, often pretty girls, with strong maternal child or sibling sibling conflicts. Most successful allopathic treatment is tricyclic anti depressants. TREATMENT INTERNAL: Peppermint essential oil (187 mg) twice per day effective in a randomized control trial for symptoms of IBS. 18 Treatment can be irritating to the stomach unless enteric coated capsules are uses. Can burn anus on expulsion as well, although in general, well tolerated. I like to combine Peppermint, Caraway, Tarragon, and Lavender to address bowel spasms, constipation, gas/bloating and depression. Lower dose of peppermint is less irritating on the stomach o 3 drops of total mixture in olive oil twice per day for 3 months o Use topical or inhaled preparations for acute relief 2008, Aroma MD Page 5

6 TOPICAL/INHALED Most teenagers do not like to smell different from their peers. Inhaled preparations are more discreet. Inhaler blanks filled with the same combination at a more aesthetically proportioned blend can be effective. ADULTS Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Includes Crohn s and Ulcerative Colitis. Can affect mouth to anus including mouth sores, anal tears and bleeds, and inflammation throughout the small and large intestines. Can also result in symptoms throughout the body due to the unregulated inflammation. IBD has been shown to worsen with stressful life events, although it is not clear if it is caused by them. Often, these patients are on large doses of steroids, which suppress natural adrenal function and natural steroid production. TREATMENT Table 5: IBD SYMPTOM ESSENTIAL OIL Mouth Ulcers Myrtle, Peppermint (0.25% suspension in water) + Honey applied to lesions Pain Peppermint, lavender, clove, 19 black seed (Nigella sativa) fixed oil Spasm Cf. spasm, table 1 Inflammation German chamomile, Frankincense, Lavender, Savory, Tarragon, Ginger Anal tears Peppermint hydrolat, Honey Adrenal failure Ginger INTERNAL Most effective treatment will be long term internal usage, for a minimum of 3 6 months depending on severity of illness and duration of illness. TOPICAL Raw, unfiltered honey helpful for mouth ulcers as an anti viral, anti inflammatory and mild anesthetic. 0.25% topical suspension of myrtle + peppermint can be soothing and help heal the ulcers more quickly according to clinical studies conducted in Iran. 20 INHALED For emotional stress, inhaled essential oils (c.f. table 4: constipation) can help prevent a flare up or reduce the severity of it DISCLAIMER: This lecture is not intended as medical advice for the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. Only qualified healthcare professionals, properly trained and licensed may make a diagnosis of illness or examine patients. This lecture is intended solely for educational purposes in order to further the understanding of the role of essential oils in human suffering. The content of this material is copyrighted by Aroma MD, LLC and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Aroma MD or its responsible officers. 2008, Aroma MD Page 6

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