|  | Alternative Medicine | Aromatherapy

Essential Oils for Cushings Disease

Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, massage and cooking throughout the world to reduce stress and fatigue, and to improve sex drive, all of which are concerns for Cushing's Disease sufferers.

  1. Causes and symptoms of Cushing's Disease

    • Stress is the main cause of Cushing's Disease

      The main cause of Cushing's Disease is prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, which the body produces in response to stress. Some symptoms of Cushing's Disease are fatigue, depression and reduced sex drive.

    Essential oils

    • Essential oils are extracted from plant, flower or fruit materials, such as lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang, and many have been reported to reduce some symptoms associated with Cushing's Disease. Essential oils can be purchased at your neighborhood health food store or online. Depending on the type of oil and the retailer, an ounce can cost between $5 and $120.

    How they work

    • The brain controls emotion

      According to Dr. Earl Mindell, inhaling essential oils through the nose stimulates the olfactory organs "which are linked to the areas of the brain that control emotions." The pituitary controls whether we feel stressed or relaxed, happy or reflective. Rubbing diluted essential oils on the skin stimulates nerve endings; the oils then pass through the nerves to the pituitary or master gland. Through either method, the chemical reactions caused by the essential oils affect emotions, such as stress, joy and love.

    Which essential oils to use

    • Ylang ylang

      To promote feelings of tranquility, Dr. Mindell recommends broom, catnip, lily or rue. To counteract insomnia, try bergamot, celery, chamomile, hops or marjoram. You can combat fatigue and depression with benzoin, bergamot mint, camphor, caraway, carnation, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, lime, nutmeg, orange or saffron. You can increase sex drive and feelings of love with cardamom, daffodil, deer tongue, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla and ylang ylang.

    How to use them

    • For inhaling essential oils, put one or two drops into a bowl of steaming water, place a towel over your head and around the bowl to catch the steam. Breathe in until you achieve the desired effect. Or, put a few drops in an aromatherapy diffuser and place it on a table in your vicinity; this allows for longer enjoyment of the aroma.

      For massage, mix three or four drops with 1 tbsp. of unscented carrier oil, such as sweet almond, apricot or avocado, and massage into the skin. Cinnamon, nutmeg and many types of citrus oils may cause skin irritation and are better used for inhalation.

      Essential oils can be safely used in cooking, with the key being moderation.

Aromatherapy - Related Articles