So you’ve heard about essential oils for Lymphedema. You’ve heard that essential oils have medicinal qualities, and can help with Lymphedema – possibly even cure you, and whatever ails you. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. I’m not here to make claims on the medicinal side.
I don’t know, frankly. I’ve never tried using essential oils for Lymphedema – I may try one of these days when I move on from being wrapped 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And I might not.
I have used essential oil for other things for years. I love the smell. I’ve been known to use an essential oil sparingly in cooking if I was out of a spice, like oregano or basil. This doesn’t mean you can drink the bottle or ingest any at all, even. You have to be careful. This goes for ALL – it doesn’t matter WHAT the brand is or what they say – essential oil.
Some can be poisonous – and this includes putting on your skin, so beware. I also use essential oils on lamps, as perfume, in laundry and cleaning products. I’ll pour some of the older oils down the sink to make it smell pretty.
I’ve also burned my skin messing around with essential oil, lol. I used to sniff my favorite oil – right out of the bottle. Didn’t touch the oil. It dried my skin around my nose something fierce. I quit that habit. At one point I was considering making my own, until I looked into it and discovered that I really couldn’t afford that press…
Buying essential oils can be expensive. There are cheaper essential oils and there are more expensive ones. Whatever you buy, make sure it says essential oil on the bottle, not fragrance oil. Pure 100% essential oil is even better:
Bonus if your bottle says where it’s from and the latin name:
There are several types of oil
Essential oils – Oils that are made from plants and herbs.
Essential oil blends – which are usually essential oils blended together – ie grapefruit and bergemot. The problem with blends is you really don’t always know what you’re getting, unless you blend them yourself, of course. I wouldn’t use these on my skin. Laundry, cleaning, air freshner, yes. Be be careful to make sure the bottle indicates essential oil.
Fragrance oils – Fragrance oils are synthetic, they can be used on the skin (though I won’t use them on my skin) and have no medicinal qualities. I would NOT use in cooking. If you’re asthmatic, you might not be able to deal with fragrance oils.
Lymphedema Essential Oils – Warning
It doesn’t matter who you are or what medical issues you might have – I happen to have Lymphedema, but this warning applies to everyone.
Be wary of anyone that tells you that essential oils will heal you. Chances are good they won’t (they might make you feel better temporarily.)
Be wary of anyone who states their oils are graded: for instance, a b, c, d or “therapeutic” or “food” grade. Ain’t no such thing. This is simply a marketing ploy (mlm to be exact) to make you think that everything else out there sucks and theirs is special, so don’t buy anyone elses. Don’t drink the koolaid, folks.
It’s special, alright. As in more expensive.
You can read up on this at both of these links:
Cropwatch write-up on Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils disinformation campaign
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
Determine the Quality of Essential Oils
http://info.achs.edu/blog/the-importance-of-quality-essential-oils
You may read things about getting across the blood brain barrier. Essential oils have a small molecular structure, so don’t let “brands” tell you theirs is the only one that can cross barrier, lol.
If you’re just starting out, and especially if you’re broke, don’t worry about using a top brand of essential oils for Lymphedema. Go a little cheaper if you’re just starting out and you’re curious. If you find that they don’t work for you, at least you only threw a little money away.
When I can buy a few at a time, I’ll buy my essential oil from Leaves and Roots. If you’re in the Orlando area, walk in. They’ve been around since the 90’s, their oils are fantastic, and reasonably priced. I have never been steered wrong.
You can buy essential oils locally
You can get quality essential oils locally – or online – for a reasonable price.
- Mall kiosks (not recommended unless they sell a brand that you like and are familiar with)
- Health food grocery stores – I’ve found some good ones, but the store doesn’t carry a particular brand consistently. Can be pricey.
- Medical Supply Stores – one near me is great, carries a great brand, it’s higher priced but downside is they only carry a few “flavors.”
- New age stores – My favorite. Generally higher quality, better priced and have a bigger selection.I prefer new age stores because they tend to have a better quality and better selection. If you want to try them out, this is what I suggest you do – run down to your local new age or health food grocery store and pick up some to try.
Whatever you decide to try on your journey with essential oils for Lymphedema, it is important to know that you have options, and should research those options. Beware of claims that you’ll be cured.