Looking for a Natural Anti-Inflammatory for your Back, Lungs or Joints? Use Essential Oils!

Are you looking for a natural anti-inflammatory? Would you like natural remedies to reduce or prevent inflammation?

If your answer is yes, then essential oils are for you.

Essential oils have been documented to reduce inflammation for various conditions in the body. This includes inflammation from physical injury, infection, burns, hormones, food and so much more!

Today modern medicine believes that chronic inflammation is behind the nation's leading diseases including heart disease and cancer. Arthritis, Alzheimer's, and diabetes are also now linked to the inflammatory process gone wrong! (See Nitric oxide below).

So, it is becoming very obvious that we need to start minimizing and preventing inflammation in our body. And there is a natural anti-inflammatory that we can use on a daily basis that can help us tackle this.

But first, let us take a look at inflammation.

What is Inflammation? What creates It?

Inflammation is actually part of the body’s defense system. It is an immune response to rid the body of harmful stimuli so the body can begin the healing process.

The body increases blood to the injured tissues or affected area for healing. This is why you see redness, and swelling, or feel pain and heat. This is called acute inflammation.

Inflammation becomes chronic inflammation when the system does not turn off and the immune system response actually begins to damage the body. This chronic inflammation leads to more progressive medical conditions such as heart disease.

How do Essential Oils reduce and prevent Inflammation?

Essential oils contain many different medicinal properties that are documented to help the physical and emotional body. They easily penetrate the skin and can be carried throughout the blood and tissues within minutes.

Oils that are high in carvacrol, a phenol, can be very effective as a natural anti-inflammatory. Examples are Oregano, Thyme and Mountain Savory Essential Oils.

Did you know that a study published in the January 2010 in the Journal of Lipid Research found that six essential oils reduce inflammation very effectively?

In this Japanese study, it was found that the oils suppressed the COX-2 enzyme by as much as 75 percent!

Thyme essential oil ranked number one out of six different oils tested. But there are over 50 different oils that show natural anti-inflammatory properties! Wow!

What are COX enzymes?

COX enzymes are responsible for the inflammatory process in the body. COX inhibitors suppress this process and relieve pain and inflammation.

Sound familiar? It should.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen work in this exact same manor! Additionally, prescription drugs such as Celebrix (and the former Vioxx) are COX-2 inhibitors!

So, I must ask then, why are we so addicted to synthetic pain killers and anti-inflammatories, when there is a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving substance) available?

How do Essential Oils work as a Natural Anti-Inflammatory?

Essential oils can help reduce inflammation in several different ways. We can use them to help us combat acute and chronic inflammation. And help us on a daily basis reduce inflammation.

How do we reduce Inflammation on a Daily Basis?

Studies have shown that there are many lifestyle choices that contribute to inflammation on a daily basis.

• Sleep deprivation – reduced sleep and insomnia does not allow the body time enough to repair and heal during the night. Essential oils can help us sleep better.

• Stress and anxiety – reducing your stress or anxiety also helps reduce the inflammatory response in your body. Essential oils help us manage anxiety.

• Diet – eating a healthy diet with plenty of water, fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates reduces inflammation. Adding healthy fats such as omega 3s and olive oil to your diet will also help.

• Detoxification – detoxing the lymphatic system of pollutants and chemicals.

• Exercise – Exercise removes toxins from the lymph system and reduces inflammation.

• Supplements/Vitamins – Choose a whole food vitamin and mineral supplement, not one that is synthetically made. Folic acid, B vitamins, and vitamins C, D and E have anti-inflammatory effects for the body.

• Immune system – support your immune system with probiotic and enzyme supplements for a healthy intestinal tract.

Essential oils can help us cope and make changes in these areas!

So, my advice is, in addition to using the oils, make sure you are making the lifestyle changes that will support your body.

What Essential Oils are documented to be COX inhibitors?

These are the top COX inhibitors! Click on each oil to learn more about the oil and how to use it.

• Thyme Essential Oil

• Fennel Essential Oil

• Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

• Clove Essential Oil

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil

• Bergamot Essential Oil

• Rose Essential Oil

Note: The study did not specify what eucalyptus oil was used. There are over 600 species of the genus and it is important to know what species was used. Eucalyptus polybractea and Eucalyptus radiata have anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious properties, so that would be my guess.

What Essential Oils are Documented to reduce Inflammation created by Nitric Oxide?

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in blood flow and is produced by numerous cells in the body. But when abnormal production of NO occurs, it greatly affects blood flow and other vascular functions of the body.

And, you guessed it, creates inflammation that is attributed to heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Once more, essential oil, a natural anti-inflammatory comes to the rescue again!

Here are the essential oils documented to inhibit NO:

• Peppermint Essential Oil

• Oregano Essential Oil

• Lemongrass Essential Oil

• Melaleuca ericifolia Essential Oil

• Nutmeg Essential Oil

• Dill Essential Oil

• Ledum Essential Oil

What Oils do I use for Muscles that have Inflammation?

Inflammation usually indicates that there is some tissue damage. This may also occur if we exercise to the point where we have strained or pulled a muscle.

Click on Essential Oils for Muscles Section to learn what essential oils are best for this application.

Are there any other Essential Oils I can use as a Natural Anti-Inflammatory?

Yes, there are over 50 different oils with anti-inflammatory properties. And some oils may be better for certain types of inflammation or conditions. Also, everyone’s body chemistry is different. So it is best to

• Click on the individual oil and learn more about it

• Select one or two oils (or a blend) to use and find out what oils are right for you

• Write down your experiences so you can remember and recognize any changes

Here are some others that may help with an inflammatory condition in the body:

• Basil Essential Oil (anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant).

• Geranium Essential Oil (edema, menstrual, skin and viral infection).

• Wintergreen Essential Oil (heart inflammation, injuries, bursitis. A teaspoon of wintergreen is the equivalent of almost twenty-two adult aspirin).

• Balsam Fir, Helichrysum, White Fir and PanAway Essential Oils (injuries, bursitis, inflammation of joint and muscle conditions, tendon inflammation).

• Elemi Essential Oil (breast and uterus, bursitis, muscles).

• German Chamomile and Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oils (bacterial infections; skin).

• Lavender and Myrrh Essential Oils (tissue and capillary damage and bruising, burns). ClaraDerm Spray for itchy skin has both for this reason!

• Ravensara, Hyssop and Thyme Essential Oils (viral infection and sinus inflammation).

• Copaiba Essential Oil (contains very high levels of beta caryophyllene that inhibits the inflammatory process! Used for internal and external inflammation. Referred to as Copal Oil).

• Ocotea Essential Oil (contains very high levels of alpha-humulene that limits the body's response to irritation! For best results use it along with Copaibla. Great for joints, injuries and more!)

• Frankincense and Palo Santo essential oils(respiratory infections, cancer and immune stimulating).

• And more!

A note about German Chamomile, Helichrysum, Yarrow and Blue Tansy Essential Oils. These oils contain chamazulene a deep blue compound that is produced during the correct distillation process. These are known as artifacts.

Chamazulene has been extensively researched for its anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also very beneficial to the skin and the cells of the body, as well as a natural muscle relaxer.

The highest concentration of chamazulene can be found in German Chamomile. There are others artifacts in the azulene family that are also beneficial, but more often than not, artifacts are something we want to keep to a minimum.

Want to try an Essential Oil Supplement for Inflammation?

Two essential oil supplements combat inflammation: Omega Blue with fish oil and BLM with MSM and Glucosamine. Sulfurzyme also contains MSM, FOS and Ninxgia wolfberry.

I hope you have enjoyed this section on how essential oil can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory. And you will try some oils to help manage inflammation from the start!

Nan's Final Thought - Inflammation in the back or neck? Try a natural anti-inflammatory technique! Raindrop Technique was designed to align the spine using essential oils and combat inflammation.

Check out the related sections on essential oils for pain and muscles!

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