Ulcerative Colitis Relief: Exploring the Benefits of Essential Oils

Using Essential Oils to Reduce Inflammation

Essential oils have been used for centuries to help treat various ailments. Many oils impart antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties when inhaled or applied topically. Using specific essential oils can aid in reducing swelling, pain, and redness associated with inflammatory conditions.

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation refers to the body's protective immunological response to harmful stimuli like injury or infection. Damaged cells release chemicals triggering localized swelling, heat, redness, and pain as fluids and healing factors rush to the area.

While acute inflammation tackles damage short-term, ongoing chronic inflammation can negatively impact health. Long term, this can increase risks for certain cancers, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression and dementia according to research.

Essential Oil Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Many essential oils impart biochemical effects that inhibit inflammatory triggers, reduce swelling, improve circulation, and ease discomfort.

Compounds within the aromatic oils called terpenes activate healing receptors in the brain, nerves, tissues, and blood vessels. This helps restart balanced function in the body instead of getting stuck churning out inflammatory cytokines.

Pain Relief

Spicy, minty, and floral essential oil components interact with pain nerve receptors to numb distress signals sent to the brain. They also relax tense muscles that exacerbate chronic neck, back and joint discomfort.

Inhibiting Swelling

Citrus and pine oils help prevent inflammatory white blood cells from accumulating excessively and causing puffy edema fluid build up. This brings fast relief to swollen arthritic hands or tender infected cuts.

Anti-Oxidant Protection

Compounds in basil, thyme, oregano, clove and tree oils prevent harmful free radical damage to cells and tissues. This helps restore healthy tissue function instead of inflammatory dysfunction.

Best Essential Oils to Reduce Inflammation

Essential oil blends make it easy to reap combined anti-inflammatory benefits in one application. But knowing which individual oils to use in custom blends also helps target specific complaints.

Frankincense Oil

This ancient aromatic balsamic oil contains boswellic acid to switch off inflammatory genes and leukotriene production. Studies confirm frankincense oil reduces rheumatoid arthritis swelling, pain, morning stiffness within 7-14 applications.

Chamomile Oil

The sweet floral aroma of chamomile oil instills immediately relaxing effects. The potent antioxidant apigenin it contains dials back swelling reactions. Gentle chamomile mixed into creams or baths soothes angry inflamed eczema, wounds, hemorrhoids, and rashes.

Lavender Oil

This extremely versatile oil tackles inflammation on multiple fronts - increasing circulation, reducing stress chemicals, blocking pain signals, inducing sleep, and protecting cell health. Ease sunburn, bites, tension headache, and sore muscles with gentle lavender.

Tea Tree Oil

The sharp, medicinal smelling eucalyptol content fights infections which spark inflammations. Rubbing diluted tea tree oil on acne spots, toenail fungus, oral thrush lesions or dandruff outbreaks helps calm these inflammatory conditions without needing harsh prescription medications.

Rosemary Oil

Stimulating rosemary oil improves blood flow to optimize circulation of healing factors into damaged tissue sites. Carnosol and carnosic acid compounds further check runaway inflammatory responses. Use in hair products also fights itchy, inflamed scalps.

Eucalyptus Oil

The main compound cineole supports healthy respiration, clears chest congestion, and stops virus particles that incite inflammation. Eucalyptus further cools away fever and skin eruptions from chickenpox, measles, poison plants when added to bath water or lotions.

Using Essential Oils to Treat Inflammatory Conditions

Tailoring specific essential oil blends helps target different inflammatory diseases for optimal effect.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The autoimmune condition triggers painful joint erosion and swelling. Create a roll on formula mixing 5 drops frankincense, 5 drops lavender, and 5 drops peppermint into a 10ml roller bottle. Fill remainder with carrier oil and massage onto affected areas 2-3 times daily.

Colitis & IBS

Intestinal inflammation disrupts gut function causing diarrhea, cramping and poor nutrient absorption. Rub 2 drops lavender, 2 drops chamomile and 2 drops clary sage diluted in 2 teaspoons coconut oil over the abdomen twice a day to relax spasms.

Sore Throat & Laryngitis

Viral and bacterial invaders spark throat tissue inflammation compromising voice and swallow function. Add 5 drops frankincense, 5 drops spearmint, and 5 drops clove oils to an ultrasonic cool mist diffuser. Deeply inhale the antimicrobial vapors 2-3 times daily until swelling resolves.

Sunburn Relief

Soothe angry inflamed and painful sun kissed skin by blending 4 drops lavender oil, 4 drops peppermint oil and 4 drops tea tree oil into 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. Shake vigourously and smooth over burns for fast cooling relief and healing promotion.

Precautions When Using Essential Oils

Despite their natural origins, essential oils can cause reactions in those with sensitivity. Observe the following safety measures:

• Always dilute oils in a carrier fat like coconut, jojoba or olive oil before applying directly to skin
• Test oil mixtures on a small patch of skin first to check for reaction
• Avoid getting oils near eyes, inner ears or sensitive genital areas
• If rashes, wheezing, dizziness or other concerning symptoms emerge, wash off oils and seek medical care promptly
• Keep oils out of reach from children and pets to avoid accidental poisoning

Who Should Avoid Oils

Those with the following conditions require extra safety precautions or should refrain from using essential oils:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Young children under age 5
• Those taking medication - oils may interact
• People with epilepsy or seizure disorders
• Individuals with liver or kidney disease
• Those with skin conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis

For highest safety, consult your doctor before trying essential oils if you have medical concerns.

Other Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Inflammation

While essential oils serve as excellent symptom-fighting complements, core everyday lifestyle measures establish full body health.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Limiting intake of fried foods, processed carbs, and sweets avoids blood sugar spikes. Emphasize lean proteins, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, and omega-3 rich seafood instead.

Stress Management Routines

Unmanaged high stress long term churns out inflammatory stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Scheduling relaxing downtime every day counters tension build up through yoga, meditation, walks in nature, or listening to favorite music.

Sufficient Sleep Cycles

Chronic sleep deprivation prevents tissue repair and taxes the adrenals. Turn off electronics an hour before bed, keep the bedroom pitch dark and temperature cool for deeper slumber supporting inflammation regulation.

Using essential oils as part of holistic self care and healthy routines equips the body to best resolve inflammatory conditions for improved wellness.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.