My Fleep:
New Age
New Age
Practical Aromatherapy: Helichrysum Essential Oil for Sports
Injuries, Bruises and Tissue Repair
Most dedicated athletes are willing to try anything within
reason to overcome injury so that they may resume training
and/or competition. 'Rest' is never what they want to hear
- they want to get right back into the swing of things. The
more common injuries - tendonitis, strains and sprains, and
variations of these conditions are found in many sports;
they typically include inflammation and some sort of tissue
damage. Programs for relief are fairly well-known; they
each have their plusses and minuses. Rarely, however, do
athletes or trainers consider the possibilities of
'aroma'-therapy. The name itself presents a very
'touchy-feel' type of medicine, not considered strong
enough or truly effective enough for practical application.
However, what aromatherapy is really working with are
complex phytochemical compounds with a broad spectrum of
interaction with human biochemistry. It is under these
auspices that athletes and trainers may investigate the
usefulness of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil.
Medical aromatherapists understand the efficacy of
essential oils for particular conditions; the oils are not
considered a natural cure-all, but each plant offers
chemical compounds with clear specificity of effects.
Beyond the effects of each chemical compound within an oil,
some oils efficacy is a clear synergy of the particular
chemical makeup. Individual chemicals within essential oils
are well-known antivirals, antimicrobials,
anti-inflammatories, expectorants, mucolytics,
anti-tumorials...and the list goes on. Some essential oils
will contain synergies of these compounds; oils suggested
for colds will contain components that are antibacterial,
antiviral, and mucolytic (cleanses breathing passages) all
in one essential oil. And what does this offer for the
injured athlete? The possibility of speedier return to
training and competition with Helichrysum italicum
essential oil, which contains a synergy of compounds which
can act to support healing of a great variety of common
injuries.
The physiological basis of many sports injuries, both
chronic - from overuse - and acute, from impacts, twists
and strains, have many similarities. There is usually some
cells that have suffered structural damage - some enough
that the cells will die and need to be re-grown. There is
typically inflammation, which can be a means of the cells
protecting themselves, or a result of fluid leakage into
the intracellular space. This fluid can be blood from
damaged capillaries, and appear as bruising; either way
swelling will prevent proper perfusion - or nutrient and
waste exchange - at the damaged site. This can lead to
secondary damage - where cells around the originally
damaged tendon, ligament or muscle cells are also becoming
damaged by lack of oxygenation or nutrient supply. Further
damage can occur through the over-production of
free-radicals under such conditions. One can imagine the
phenomenon of ice being applied immediately after an injury
leading to a significantly shorter (and less painful)
recovery - a long wait increases the possibility of
secondary damage. The ice prevents the secondary damage
associated with swelling and oxidation from occurring.
Now for a look at the synergistic actions of Helichrysum
Italicum essential oil (there are several types of
Helichrysum essential oil available - it is the Italicum,
also known as Everlasting or Immortele, that has these
particular properties. It is more rare, and more costly
than other types of Helichrysum, but worth the extra cost).
Helichrysum has a high percentage of anti-inflammatory
sesquiterpenes - nearly 50% of it's makeup. Another 40% is
made up of Esters with marked relaxing effects on tissues -
relieving tension in injured areas and allowing natural
perfusion to take place. The third major component is a
di-ketone, which signals tissues to regenerate. These
di-ketones are rare, and Helichrysum Italicum contains the
highest known percentage.
It is the synergistic activity of these components working
together on an injured area that can have a pronounced
effect on healing common sports-related injuries. One
professional athlete recently relayed an account of his use
of the oil - after lack of success in treating achilles
tendonitis, he was sure he was going to have to drop out of
an important upcoming event. He had been taking MSM, using
topical Dimethylsulfoxide, consuming oral anti-inflamates,
and attempting to address the imbalance which had caused
the injury in the first place - all to no avail. After
learning about Helichrysum, he decided it was worth a try,
and after three days of regular application to the tendon,
the pain was gone and he was able to continue his training
at maximum capacity!
While this is only one case, it is interesting that relief
was found so quickly, and to a chronic injury that was
otherwise difficult to treat. The scientific medical
aromatherapy literature describes usage for acute injuries
(such as recently twisted ankles, wrists, or areas bruised
from impact) more frequently. According to Dr. Kurt
Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, "Everlasting oil is
certainly one of the most astounding essential oils. Its
very unique chemical composition along with (all) essential
oil's ability to penetrate into tissue and the circulatory
system permit some spectacular treatments. Used for
bruises, sprains, and twisted ankles - usually accompanied
by swelling and subsequent hemorrhages - this oil proves
practically to be a wonder cure." He goes on to mention
that the earlier the application of the oil following an
acute injury, the more pronounced the heaing effect.
If you decide to try the oil for yourself, be sure of your
source, and that the variety is correct one discussed here.
The oil is appropriate for range of injuries - minor to
major - though of course it is not a substitute for proper
medical attention in any way. Using the oil in conduction
with a prescribed therapy should be discussed with your
doctor. The literature does state that the oil is very well
tolerated, and can be applied directly to the skin
undiluted. An application of a thin film a few times a day,
as soon as chronic pain is noted, or an acute injury
occurs, is best. The oil can be used on broken or damaged
skin - in fact, it is included in formulas to reduce scar
formation along with Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils (a 5%
dilution of Helichrysum in a 50/50 blend of these two base
oils can be used to support wound healing). As with any
therapy, be aware of how you're body is responding to
treatment, and consult a medical professional with any
questions or concerns about it's use. In summary,
Helichrysum italicum essential oil is a gentle, topical
treatment which may speed healing for many common
sport-related injuries. It is regarded as a very safe oil
and is worth a try if you are in need of such support.
----------------------------------------------------
The author is a natural health professional with a private
practice specializing in educating her clients to best
support their own health and healing. She is the owner of
Ananda Integrative Wellness, found online at
http://www.anandaapothecary.com
Injuries, Bruises and Tissue Repair
Most dedicated athletes are willing to try anything within
reason to overcome injury so that they may resume training
and/or competition. 'Rest' is never what they want to hear
- they want to get right back into the swing of things. The
more common injuries - tendonitis, strains and sprains, and
variations of these conditions are found in many sports;
they typically include inflammation and some sort of tissue
damage. Programs for relief are fairly well-known; they
each have their plusses and minuses. Rarely, however, do
athletes or trainers consider the possibilities of
'aroma'-therapy. The name itself presents a very
'touchy-feel' type of medicine, not considered strong
enough or truly effective enough for practical application.
However, what aromatherapy is really working with are
complex phytochemical compounds with a broad spectrum of
interaction with human biochemistry. It is under these
auspices that athletes and trainers may investigate the
usefulness of Helichrysum Italicum essential oil.
Medical aromatherapists understand the efficacy of
essential oils for particular conditions; the oils are not
considered a natural cure-all, but each plant offers
chemical compounds with clear specificity of effects.
Beyond the effects of each chemical compound within an oil,
some oils efficacy is a clear synergy of the particular
chemical makeup. Individual chemicals within essential oils
are well-known antivirals, antimicrobials,
anti-inflammatories, expectorants, mucolytics,
anti-tumorials...and the list goes on. Some essential oils
will contain synergies of these compounds; oils suggested
for colds will contain components that are antibacterial,
antiviral, and mucolytic (cleanses breathing passages) all
in one essential oil. And what does this offer for the
injured athlete? The possibility of speedier return to
training and competition with Helichrysum italicum
essential oil, which contains a synergy of compounds which
can act to support healing of a great variety of common
injuries.
The physiological basis of many sports injuries, both
chronic - from overuse - and acute, from impacts, twists
and strains, have many similarities. There is usually some
cells that have suffered structural damage - some enough
that the cells will die and need to be re-grown. There is
typically inflammation, which can be a means of the cells
protecting themselves, or a result of fluid leakage into
the intracellular space. This fluid can be blood from
damaged capillaries, and appear as bruising; either way
swelling will prevent proper perfusion - or nutrient and
waste exchange - at the damaged site. This can lead to
secondary damage - where cells around the originally
damaged tendon, ligament or muscle cells are also becoming
damaged by lack of oxygenation or nutrient supply. Further
damage can occur through the over-production of
free-radicals under such conditions. One can imagine the
phenomenon of ice being applied immediately after an injury
leading to a significantly shorter (and less painful)
recovery - a long wait increases the possibility of
secondary damage. The ice prevents the secondary damage
associated with swelling and oxidation from occurring.
Now for a look at the synergistic actions of Helichrysum
Italicum essential oil (there are several types of
Helichrysum essential oil available - it is the Italicum,
also known as Everlasting or Immortele, that has these
particular properties. It is more rare, and more costly
than other types of Helichrysum, but worth the extra cost).
Helichrysum has a high percentage of anti-inflammatory
sesquiterpenes - nearly 50% of it's makeup. Another 40% is
made up of Esters with marked relaxing effects on tissues -
relieving tension in injured areas and allowing natural
perfusion to take place. The third major component is a
di-ketone, which signals tissues to regenerate. These
di-ketones are rare, and Helichrysum Italicum contains the
highest known percentage.
It is the synergistic activity of these components working
together on an injured area that can have a pronounced
effect on healing common sports-related injuries. One
professional athlete recently relayed an account of his use
of the oil - after lack of success in treating achilles
tendonitis, he was sure he was going to have to drop out of
an important upcoming event. He had been taking MSM, using
topical Dimethylsulfoxide, consuming oral anti-inflamates,
and attempting to address the imbalance which had caused
the injury in the first place - all to no avail. After
learning about Helichrysum, he decided it was worth a try,
and after three days of regular application to the tendon,
the pain was gone and he was able to continue his training
at maximum capacity!
While this is only one case, it is interesting that relief
was found so quickly, and to a chronic injury that was
otherwise difficult to treat. The scientific medical
aromatherapy literature describes usage for acute injuries
(such as recently twisted ankles, wrists, or areas bruised
from impact) more frequently. According to Dr. Kurt
Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, "Everlasting oil is
certainly one of the most astounding essential oils. Its
very unique chemical composition along with (all) essential
oil's ability to penetrate into tissue and the circulatory
system permit some spectacular treatments. Used for
bruises, sprains, and twisted ankles - usually accompanied
by swelling and subsequent hemorrhages - this oil proves
practically to be a wonder cure." He goes on to mention
that the earlier the application of the oil following an
acute injury, the more pronounced the heaing effect.
If you decide to try the oil for yourself, be sure of your
source, and that the variety is correct one discussed here.
The oil is appropriate for range of injuries - minor to
major - though of course it is not a substitute for proper
medical attention in any way. Using the oil in conduction
with a prescribed therapy should be discussed with your
doctor. The literature does state that the oil is very well
tolerated, and can be applied directly to the skin
undiluted. An application of a thin film a few times a day,
as soon as chronic pain is noted, or an acute injury
occurs, is best. The oil can be used on broken or damaged
skin - in fact, it is included in formulas to reduce scar
formation along with Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils (a 5%
dilution of Helichrysum in a 50/50 blend of these two base
oils can be used to support wound healing). As with any
therapy, be aware of how you're body is responding to
treatment, and consult a medical professional with any
questions or concerns about it's use. In summary,
Helichrysum italicum essential oil is a gentle, topical
treatment which may speed healing for many common
sport-related injuries. It is regarded as a very safe oil
and is worth a try if you are in need of such support.
----------------------------------------------------
The author is a natural health professional with a private
practice specializing in educating her clients to best
support their own health and healing. She is the owner of
Ananda Integrative Wellness, found online at
http://www.anandaapothecary.com