Archive for July, 2009
Profound Pain Relief With Essential Oil of Helichrysum
The essential oil distilled from the small yellow flowers of the Helichrysum plant is quickly becoming one of the most popular essential oils used in aroma-medicine (perhaps the more appropriate term than ‘aromatherapy’ for the growing medicinal use of volatile plant extracts in the United States). Other monikers for this important oil include Everlasting and Immortelle — they all refer specifically to Helichrysum italicum — one of more than 500 known Helichrysum species. What’s making this oil so popular? It’s not due to its somewhat medicinal aroma — Rose or Jasmine it is not (though many people do love the scent). It has to do with its fantastic healing potential. Helichrysum has an array of therapeutic effects, all supported by the science in its natural chemical makeup. Here’s a look at the marvel of healing found in the chemistry of Helichrysum…
Healing The Body’s Structure
Reducing pain and healing of the tissues of the body require several concurrent actions for the best results. No other oil manages to do so much all at once: Reduce inflammation, loosen stiff muscles and connective tissue, relieve pain and stimulate healing. Helichrysum italicum does it all; and while proponents of conventional medicine still claim the oil to be unproven, this doesn’t prevent one from experimenting, and reaching their own conclusions about its efficacy. The oil is considered one of the safest in aromatherapy — it is listed as ‘non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing’. The only known contraindication for the oil is refraining from use if one is using wafarin or similar blood thinners, as Helichrysum has anti-coagulant properties. Now here’s a review of what the aroma-scientists know about this exceptional essential oil.
Cooling Inflammation
A great many drugs today, including the most popular over-the-counter pharmaceutical medicines, are made to specifically reduce inflammation. Swollen, irritated tissue will tend to both HURT, and cause MORE INFLAMMATION — which of course HURTS MORE! And that’s just the surface of it — inflammation not only causes pain, but ages our body more quickly. Inflammation has been targeted by pain relieving drugs as well as anti-aging medicines. Curcumin, the extract of the spice Turmeric, has become a very popular dietary supplement to treat inflammation. Helichrysum essential oil is high in a related compounds also with strong anti-inflammatory activity: alpha-, beta- and gamma- curcumene. The essential oil can be made up of 10-25% curcumenes, depending on the region where the plant is grown (Serbian and Croatian varieties may have the highest values of curcumenes). One of the oil’s most important uses is the application during the initial stages of physical trauma, greatly reducing slow-healing hematomas from forming.
Muscle Relaxant
Where Helichrysum distilled from plants grown in coastal regions of the Mediterranean really stand out is in its ability to release muscle tension. In particular, Helichrysum italicum spp. (sub species) ’serotinum’ has the highest levels of neryl acetate. This is of a group of compounds known as ‘esters’ which are particularly good at acting as ‘anti-spasmodics’. Just like the word says, these compounds relieve muscle spasms — a condition that is often found in our necks and backs where the musculature has ‘locked up’ in a stiff and painful condition. This spasming can be the result of old injuries (where the body is trying to protect itself by holding together weak joints), from stress, or simple poor posture or ergonomics (like hunching over a computer all day!)
The ’serotinum’ sub-species is nearly all grown on the island of Corsica (the island is well-known for its bounty of many high quality, therapeutic essential oils). The Corsican variety has the highest neryl acetate levels of all, in the range of 25-50%. Some aromatherapists believe this makes this Helichrysum type the most valuable for its more esoteric applications, that of relieving deep emotional wounds. And this may have a solid foundation, in that many therapies, such as yoga and massage, acknowledge that emotional trauma is often ‘held’ in the physical body. Releasing muscle and connective tissue tension (which can happen even on the smallest, cellular levels) is crucial to the healing process, as it allows the movement of damaged material OUT, and new healthy material IN.
Cellular Regeneration
Helichrysum contains molecules regarded for their ability to signal our cells to heal and regenerate. These compound are called ‘di-ketones’, of which Helichrysum specifically contains several Italidiones. You’ll find the essential oil an ingredient in nearly every wound healing and scar reducing formula in aromatherapy. (It should not be used on open wounds due to its anticoagulant effects, but is suitable once an injury is no longer likely to bleed). These same regenerative di-ketones make the oil an excellent choice for all sorts of skin-care recipes; the regenerative action can be complemented by a carrier oil like Rosehip seed, whose carotene content also supports skin healing — these two oils together form the foundation of many anti-aging skin care blends.
Anti-Hematoma, Bruise Preventative
A wonderful effect for all us accident prone folks is the bruise prevention offered by Helichrysum. Keeping a little of the oil on hand at all times is a smart way to keep ourselves injury-free. An application or two of the oil on any part of the body experiencing physical trauma can profoundly speed healing by preventing the formation of a hematoma, a bruised area where blood flow almost comes to a halt. For athletes twisting an ankle, for example, the oil can significantly reduce the swelling that occurs in the minutes after the injury, speeding healing by quickening the nutrient/waste exchange in the area. ANY blunt injury (walking into furniture in the middle of the night, or hitting your head on an open kitchen cabinet are but two common examples) will greatly benefit both in terms of healing time AND immediate pain reduction. (An important safety note: it is due to this anti-coagulant action that folks taking blood-thinning medication should check with their physician before use. It is likely that small topical applications of the oil should not pose a problem).
Anecdotal Experiences Count!
The use of Helichrysum essential oil on the world stage of medicine has been very brief. While use in aromatherapy has been significant, the cross over into the greater world of natural health is only just happening. As a result, formal testing of its efficacy is limited. However, because the oil is so safe, its really worth a try to see if it works for you. The critics of natural health say over and over that so many plant medicines are ‘unproven’ — we counter that so many ‘proven’ medicines are actually dangerous, lack truly unbiased scientific backing, and don’t actually result in healing, but rather a temporary cessation of symptoms. A fairly small amount of Helichrysum essential oil will either give you the results you’re looking for or it won’t. MANY users HAVE reported excellent results: profound relief from back pain, neck pain, joint pain scar tissue tightness. Extreme sports enthusiasts have called it ‘the magic oil’ for its quick pain relief. If Helichrysum sounds like it may help you, there’s every reason to give this wonderful, effective, organic natural medicine a try!
Health is wealth
A healthy person enjoys life to the fullest. A sick person on the other hand is deprived of all life’s glamor in spite of being rich. Health insurances can assure you that all your health problems will be sorted out in a jiffy. Yet you will have to play a pivotal role in keeping yourself healthy.
In a family, it is the woman who plays the role of a doctor. She willingly looks after her children and spouse. She shields them from diseases. Unfortunately her health is neglected in the bargain. She has no fitness routine. Her diet is not a balanced one.
Women have so many things to do around the house that they hardly have time even get out of the kitchen. They have no time to go for a walk or do some cardiovascular workouts because they have so much to do like washing the dishes, laundry or cleaning up after the kids. Although these are good exercises, they are not good enough.
Most of the women end up having backaches before they go to bed and 90 % of them ignore it thinking, if they go to bed, they will be fine!
The complaint of backache is rampant among women. Few are aware of its consequences. The neglect it. They feel a good nights sleep will eradicate their problem.
The fat deposition around their waistline is attributed to pregnancy and over eating. The real reason is their indifference to exercise. Imbibing a 30 minute walk in their fitness routine can be of immense help.
Some women believe that a home remedy is the best treatment for them when they are sick and an appointment with the doctor is unnecessary. It has happened that they have had to regret their decision.
Women often are the victims of obesity caused either due to overeating or due to hereditary factors. However the problem of obesity can be undermined by taking adequate care of your health.
A few insights are being given which will act as a guide and help you to remain hale and hearty throughout your life:
It is also important that you don’t skip meals. Eat your breakfast, lunch and Dinner at the right time and at moderation. Don’t think that skipping meals helps weight loss. Your metabolism becomes slow and your body starts retaining the fat rather than burning it.
It is a very wrong notion that skipping meals leads to weight loss. On the contrary body accumulates fat, as the basic metabolic rate gets slowed down.
Drinking about 8 to 10 glasses of water will work wonders for your health.
A Healthy & a Natural diet consisting of grains, rice, vegetables, fruits and Dairy products is the most important requirement for a better health. Avoid oily and Greasy foods in your everyday food. Artificial diets such as protein shakes, diet foods may give you instant results for weight loss, but it is also fast for weight gain. Natural diet is the best fitness diet for a successful and a long-term weight loss.
Perseverance and a little of your time will give you a healthy life. Health is your wealth. The sooner you realize it, the better it is for your health!
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