Читать книгу Aromatherapy for Women: How to use essential oils for health, beauty and your emotions - Maggie Tisserand - Страница 8

Chapter Two

GYNAECOLOGICAL REMEDIES

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

A close friend of mine was in a distraught state because she had embarked upon a sexual encounter while on holiday, and was now suffering as a result. Her symptoms resembled those of gonorrhoea, but could have been any one of several sexually transmitted diseases. The vaginal discharge was very heavy and offensive; passing water was painful and burning; she had lost her appetite and had a higher than normal temperature. She also had a pain in her lower abdomen.

She was feeling so ill and so ashamed of herself that she stayed in bed, and asked me for my help until she felt like going out to the STD clinic. Not knowing what was wrong with her, but knowing that sandalwood oil is used in India for the treatment of gonorrhoea (and that it is completely harmless when taken orally), I recommended that she take 6 drops of pure sandalwood each day, until she was able to have a diagnosis at the clinic. Time passed and when I next spoke to her, she told me that the sandalwood had cleared up most of the symptoms, leaving her with only an irritating discharge.

A visit to her local clinic, and subsequent tests, had shown that she had a trichomonas infection, and she was given antibiotics. The antibiotics prescribed cleared up the trichomonas but within a few days of finishing the course, my friend recognized the onset of thrush, which she described as ‘a painless secretion of cottage cheese’. Not wishing to accept another course of antibiotics from the clinic, she once again came to seek my advice.

She is an intelligent woman, used to making her own decisions as to the way in which her body is treated, and when I told her that there were two oils which looked extremely likely to clear up the problem, she readily accepted, quite happy to be a human ‘guinea pig’. Niaouli, reputed to be excellent for urinary infections, and which I had recently started using at home, was chosen, as I felt it would be powerful enough to take care of Candida. Organically grown lemon oil, (which had cured a wart in just over a week) was mixed with the niaouli. I chose these two oils because Dr Valnet ascribes to them the properties which I felt were needed to combat thrush: niaouli is recommended internally for urinary infections, and lemon oil, Valnet says, ‘activates the white corpuscles in the defence of the organism’. Also, intuitively, I felt that out of all the antiseptic, anti-fungal oils, these two would work well together.

I asked my friend to take three drops of each, in the morning and at night, knowing that it would either be helpful in clearing up the condition, or that it would have no effect, but that either way, it would cause no harm. Before taking the oils, the colour of her urine was a dark yellowish-orange and had an unpleasantly strong odour. Within days of taking the oils the urine became paler while, at the same time, the odour became less unpleasant. The oils were taken each day for two weeks at the end of which the thrush had gone completely, and the urine was a pale yellow colour with no unpleasant odour. Both my friend and I were overjoyed that the experiment had worked so well, and in such a short space of time.

Almost a year has passed since this treatment took place, my friend has not had a recurrence of thrush, and she feels that genitally she has a ‘clean bill of health’.

I have spoken to many women who have suffered from thrush. Not only is it physically uncomfortable, but also emotionally disturbing. A woman may feel ‘unclean’ and her sex life is probably not enjoyable, or even nonexistent. This will put a strain upon a relationship if the situation continues for a long period of time. Clinical diagnosis of Candida albicans is only the primary concern, since a woman with thrush is also likely to suffer from depression. It is interesting to note that researchers are now saying that depression is one of the contributing factors to a lowering of the immune system. It has also been proven that a weakened immune system is a contributing factor in the onset of Candida albicans. We can see, then, that women are often caught in a vicious circle. In my opinion, essential oils can break that circle; first by fighting the fungal infection on a physical level, and then by lifting depression on an emotional level.

Note: Sandalwood oil has been shown in laboratory ‘challenge tests’ to be as powerful in its anti-bacterial action, as many of the broad spectrum antibiotics. Those French doctors who have also studied aromatherapy have perfected a system of testing which they call the ‘aromatagram’. A culture is made from the patient’s discharge and placed in petri dishes. One drop of essential oil (whichever essence is deemed to be the most appropriate) is added to each petri dish of culture and left for 24 hours. The effectiveness of the essential oil is measured by the size of the ‘zone of inhibition’. This is the area of bacteria which has been killed by the essential oil within the time period.

Essences which have destroyed the largest areas of bacteria are then used to treat the patient. I find this method quite fascinating because there is no necessity to analyse and name the bacteria or fungus, but simply to find the essence or essences which will, quickly and effectively, kill the pathogen. (See ‘Aromatherapy and the immune system’ for more details on Candida albicans.)

PERIOD PAINS

Menstruation is not an ailment to be cured, as women are destined to bleed every month for a large part of their lives. However, the accompanying pain and discomfort can be alleviated with aromatherapy.

Sometimes the pain is only discernible on the first day of a period, and at other times it can drag on for several days, interfering with the enjoyment of everyday life. Occasionally the discomfort is so great that sufferers can only crawl off to bed and wait for a day or two until the worst of the pain has gone.

Over the years I have taken the recommended homoeopathic remedies, and although I experienced some relief from pain I still dreaded the ‘monthly curse’. It was not until I became involved with aromatherapy that I truly could say ‘I have found the solution to the monthly period pain.’

Clary sage oil was the essential oil which brought almost instant relief from pain and discomfort. There are two ways of using clary sage – internally or externally. My preferred method is to take two drops of clary sage oil in a teaspoon of honey with a little hot water – sipping the aromatic liquid at the beginning of the period when the pain is at its worst. Sometimes I would take a second dose a few hours later, but usually one dose was all that was required. For those who prefer to use essential oils only externally, clary sage can be used to cure menstrual pain by mixing a teaspoon of fatty oil with two drops of clary sage oil and massaging the lower abdomen, directly above the pubic hair-line. If aches and pains in the lower back are an accompaniment to the abdominal pain, then massage this area also. A third option is to make a hot compress (known as a fomentation) by adding a few drops of clary sage to a bowl of hot water (about 1 litre). Emerse a small towel in the liquid, wring it out, and apply to the lower abdomen. This obviously necessitates baring the skin and lying down for 15 minutes or so until pain relief is obtained.

Clary sage is a hormone regulator, which means that over a period of time the monthly periods may become completely painless, as mine did, so that pain relief is no longer needed. An added bonus is that clary sage, being a euphoric oil, lifts the heavy, depressed feeling which often accompanies ‘the curse’.

As a teenager, I suffered badly from abdominal cramps and backache during every period, and only had recourse to codeine tablets and hot water bottles. If only I had known about clary sage when I was a teenager, I might have been more bearable to live with!

PREMENSTRUAL TENSION

Many women become tense and irritable a few days prior to the monthly ‘curse’. Occasionally, women suffering with premenstrual tension have even committed murder, and because the concept of PMT is now medically accepted, some of these women were given lighter sentences due to ‘diminished responsibility’. I experience a sort of insanity which can make me behave in completely irrational ways, and I can feel extremely vulnerable and cry at the slightest provocation. The oils of clary sage, ylang-ylang and lavender will be beneficial, whether used in the bath, or infused into the atmosphere of your room by placing a few drops on a source of heat. Lemongrass oil is strong and tangy, and I find that a lemongrass bath strengthens my emotions on those days when I am feeling emotionally wobbly. If bathing is not practical, I would put a few drops onto a tissue and carry it with me, keeping it within sniffing distance. Rose oil is calming and emotionally healing and this could be worn as a perfume for a few days, or it may be massaged into the solar plexus. Rose is excellent for soothing fraught emotions, and when used for controlling premenstrual tension, its uplifting aroma and powers of healing can bring immediate relief, making Rose a true ‘woman’s’ remedy.

WATER RETENTION

Our body’s ability to eliminate waste liquids is largely determined by the healthy functioning of our kidneys and lymphatic system. On those days of the month when water retention becomes apparent – when you can’t get your jeans done up, or your skirt button has to be unfastened – a diuretic can be employed to help you feel comfortable again. Many foods (vegetables in particular) have diuretic properties and it is wise to eat healthily at this time. The essence which seems to work best as a diuretic is juniper oil, which may be used in the bath or a drop taken in honey water. Taken in small doses on the odd occasion (once a month) will not cause harm, but essential oils should not be ingested on a regular basis. Someone with chronic water retention has a systematic problem and should seek treatment from a qualified aromatherapist. A serious problem of fluid retention could indicate congestion of the lymphatic system.

CYSTITIS

This annoying and distressing problem is caused by an infection of the bladder or kidneys. Urinating is an unpleasant, often painful experience and the burning sensation when passing water is often accompanied by pain further up inside the abdomen. Juniper oil may be taken in honey water, or sandalwood oil rubbed into the kidney region of the lower back. If the discomfort is very bad, I recommend a sitz bath with lavender oil – after each visit to the toilet if this is practical. If you still have to go to work, then you could make up a bottle of lavender water to take with you (see here). A cotton wool pad soaked with lavender water applied after going to the toilet will give temporary relief and help you to maintain your sanity. All strong food and drinks should be avoided (tea, coffee, alcohol, spices), as should sugar and any foods containing sugar.

A friend of mine rang me in tears one Boxing Day, in agony with her cystitis. She had been treating it for some while, and had thought it was under control. However, Christmas temptations had lured her into drinking alcohol, and she was really suffering once again. Sex was out of the question, which was causing problems with her husband, and she was at her wit’s end. I gave her a bottle of juniper oil with instructions to take one or two drops on a tiny amount of sugar, or in honey water, twice a day. After only two days she rang to say that it had worked miraculously, and everything was back to normal in her household.

VAGINAL DOUCHES

Candida albicans is the most common cause of vaginal irritation, and although candida is mentioned in more detail in another chapter, there are many people who prefer to douche rather than take essential oils orally.

Thrush is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes of the vagina, and can seem almost to drive you insane. In my early twenties I suffered recurrent bouts of thrush, and each time I visited my doctor I was given medicated pessaries which brought temporary relief only. I was never cured, and thought that perhaps I was destined to have thrush for the rest of my life. It was not until much later, after incorporating aromatherapy into my life, that I treated and cured myself of thrush. My choice of essences was rose, lavender and bergamot (see recipe chapter). I bought an enema pot from a chemist (or you may be able to buy a douche) and to 1 litre of warm water I added the essences, and douched twice a day. To ensure that the essences disperse, place them into a 100ml bottle of water and shake well. Transfer to the douche and top up with warm-hot water – a comfortable temperature for you. The relief from itching was apparent even from the first treatment, and I was pleased to know that the problem was diminishing. After a week of twice-daily douching, I reduced treatment to once a week for a further month. Douching should not be routinely employed as it will destroy the natural acid balance inside the vagina, but when used for periodic treatment of a particular complaint it is very beneficial.

HERPES

Herpes, being a virus, cannot be treated with antibiotics, and by and large it is thought to be permanent once it has caused infection through sexual intercourse. The virus is the same as that which produces cold sores. Lavender, tea tree, lemon, sandalwood and other essential oils which stimulate the immune system will aid your body to fight the virus. Eucalyptus sitz baths helped a friend of mine when the irritation became too great to bear. She was also given a rose blend to rub into the glands at the tops of her legs, and reported a marked improvement in her energy levels, together with a lessening of the pain. Tea tree oil could be applied directly to any blisters, as tea tree is very powerful in its action but will not irritate or harm the delicate skin of the vulva. As herpes tends to rear its ugly head when the body is under par – whether physically or emotionally – steps should be taken to enhance the immune system, thereby helping your body to keep the virus under control.

LEUCORRHOEA

A light vaginal discharge is quite normal, but prolonged, excessive discharge indicates that something is wrong. A tampon impregnated with tea tree oil may be inserted each night for a few days, or the discharge could be treated with a douche containing lavender, bergamot and tea tree. The vaginal discharge may be an indication of a food allergy, and suspect foods should be eliminated from the diet, at the rate of one per week. I have problems if I inadvertently eat dairy products while away from home, and as a preventive measure I regularly take two echinacea tablets each day. Echinacea is a herbal blood purifier.

PRURITIS

Pruritis means itching, and can pertain to the anus or the vagina. The saying ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ could be translated as ‘where there’s an itch there’s a problem’. An external irritant could be causing the irritation, and it is never advisable to spray perfumes or toilet waters near the vagina. Nor should you enter a bath to which essential oils have been added without first ensuring that they are thoroughly dispersed by agitating the water.

If the itching is very troublesome, a lavender sitz bath will bring relief. As with cystitis, washing the vulva after each visit to the toilet will soothe the skin and make you feel more comfortable. Sometimes the heat accompanying vaginal pruritis may cause the mucous membranes to be dry, thereby making sexual intercourse a little uncomfortable or painful. Jojoba oil makes a wonderful lubricant if sexual intercourse is uncomfortable due to the mucous membranes being dry.

CONDOMS

With increasing promotion towards safer sex the use of condoms is increasing. Many women find that the spermicidal covering causes irritation to the vagina. Although most condoms contain spermicide, there are some manufactured without, and if you experience this form of vaginal irritation it is advisable to use spermicide-free condoms. (Ask your pharmacist for advice.) Douching with bergamot, lavender or tea tree will help to remove traces of spermicide and help the vagina to return to normal. If preferred, a tea tree tampon may be inserted each night for two or three nights, until the vagina has healed, Tea tree is a powerful antiseptic, promoting the growth of new skin cells while being gentle on the skin; it is therefore the ideal oil to use for vaginal irritation. Condoms are disliked by many couples because they are too ‘dry’ and have an obviously ‘rubbery’ smell. Water-based lubricants are available in chemists, or use a little honey – one of nature’s spermicides. Choose one which is delicately fragranced, if you are one of those people who finds the smell of rubber off-putting.