Combining Herbs and Essential Oils This Presentation Explores How
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Hawthorn University Holistic Health and Nutrition Webinar Series 2017 www.hawthornuniversity.org Presented by David Crow, L.Ac. Combining Herbs and Essential Oils This presentation explores how essential oils and aromatherapy can be integrated with herbal treatments for added therapeutic effects and benefits. It explores which essential oils can be safely combined, and how, with herbs according to therapeutic functions: ) Expectorant, mucolytic, decongestant and antitussive herbs ) Nervine relaxant, sedative and anxiolytic herbs ) Demulcent herbs ) Anti-spasmotic and analgesic herbs ) Antimicrobial herbs ) Cholagogue and laxative herbs ) Immune modulating and immune stimulating herbs ) Adaptogen, trophorestorative and neuroendocrine regulating herbs ) Antiinflammatory herbs ) Emmenagogue and uterine tonic herbs Learning Objectives: ) When and how essential oils and aromatherapy are a primary, adjunct or contraindicated treatment ) To understand the compatibility or lack of compatibility of specific groups and species of essential oils and specific groups and species of herbs ) Simple combinations of herbs and essential oils for specific therapeutic benefits Introduction ) General suggestions for how to use safely therapeutic groups of essential oils in combinations with groups of herbs. ) Does not give detailed methods of use of the oils. ) Does not give any specific dosages or uses of herbs. ) Please do not use herbs without studying them in detail. ) Please use essential oils according to safe methods of applications ) Do not take internally ) Do not apply undiluted to the skin Difficulties classifying essential oils into therapeutic categories Where do the claims about therapeutic actions of essential oils come from? 1. Empirical evidence from long history of use of aromatic plants 2. Modern scientific studies 3. Claims made about essential oils through MLM companies and spread on the internet Many claims about the functions of essential oils are not substantiated or established. Many claims are based on in vitro studies but do not apply to in vivo uses. Because of their relatively recent appearance, their subjective nature through the olfactory system, their danger for internal ingestion and other factors, it is difficult to make specific medicinal claims about the therapeutic uses of essential oils. Their therapeutic uses often are broad spectrum and idiosyncratic. Some people find lavender strongly relaxing, some find it occasionally mildly relaxing, some find it stimulating. Because of these factors, it is difficult to classify essential oils into clearly defined therapeutic categories. In some conditions essential oils and aromatherapy are a primary treatment; in most cases they can be indirectly supportive; in some cases they are not effective and should not be advocated or attempted for those uses. Expectorant, mucolytic, decongestant and antitussive herbs Many herbs and essential oils cross over into all four functions; essential oils are especially broad spectrum and non-specific. Expectorants An expectorant works by signaling the body to increase the amount or hydration of secretions, resulting in more yet clearer secretions and as a byproduct lubricating the irritated respiratory tract. Expectorant herbs primarily contain essential oils, saponins and mucilage. Expectorant herbs: Licorice, mullein, slippery elm, oregano, thyme, fennel, elder flowers, lavender, angelica, basils, elecampane, lobelia, marjoram, wild cherry bark, coltsfoot, hyssop Essential oils are a primary treatment for respiratory conditions. Primary methods: diffuser, steam inhalation, compress, palm inhalation Microdroplets of diffused oil or inhaled vapor comes in direct contact with mucus membranes of sinuses and lungs. Low grade inhalation from a diffuser has more long term expectorant effects; steam inhalation has more decongestant effects. Expectorant oils: Basils (sweet, tulsi), cardamom, cedar, fennel, inula, spruce, pine, fir, juniper, eucalyptus, lavender, marjoram, myrtle, frankincense, mints, oregano, palo santo, rosemary, tea tree, thyme, hyssop Sample combinations: Tulsi/ginger tea, 2 – 4x day; steam inhalation with pinon pine essential oil 1 – 2x day; cardamom and eucalyptus essential oils in diffuser Expectorant cough syrup with mullein and/or wild cherry bark 2 – 4x day with tulsi tea; chest compress with cedar/spruce eo Mucolytics A mucolytic agent is an agent that dissolves thick mucus and is usually used to help relieve respiratory difficulties. Mucolytic herbs: mullein, horehound, elecampane Mucolytic oils: Cedar, cistus, eucalyptus, fir, ginger helichrysum, inula, juniper, manuka, monarda, myrrh, ravensare, rosemary, spruce, tulsi, white sage Sample combinations: mucolytic cough syrup containing mullein, 1 teaspoon 3x day; chest compress with two drop each fir, helichrysum, inula eo’s; tulsi and rosemary eo’s in diffuser. Decongestants A decongestant is used to relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. Essential oils in steam inhalation are generally more immediately effective as decongestants than herbs. Decongestant herbs: tulsi, elder flower, rosemary, mints, ginger, cardamom Decongestant oils: Eucalyptus, spruce, pine fir, mints, rosemary, tulsi, cardamom, tea tree, oregano, lavender Sample combinations: Tulsi/ginger tea 2 – 4x day; steam inhalation with eucalyptus/lavender eo Rosemary tea 2 – 4x day; steam inhalation with cardamom eo Common cold, primary oils for synergies: Respiratory: eucalyptus, laurel Aromatic spices: basil, cardamom, ginger, rosemary, peppermint, tulsi, black pepper, marjoram Conifers: spruce, pine, pinon pine, fir, juniper Antimicrobials: ravensara, tea tree, thyme, oregano, niaouli Citrus: lemon Antiinflammatory: lavender, chamomile (Roman), frankincense, lemon balm Possible synergies: 5 parts eucalyptus, 3 parts tea tree, 3 parts ravensara Equal parts thyme, lavender, eucalyptus, laurel Use in diffuser or dilute appropriately for bath or compresses. Nervine relaxant, sedative and anxiolytic herbs Herbs often cross over into the closely related categories of nervine tonic, nervine relaxant, sedative and anxiolytic. Because aromatherapy massage is used primarily for relaxation, these categories of herbs combine easily with essential oils and aromatherapy. Standard uses for the oils: diffuser, massage and body oil, bath, direct inhalation Nervine relaxant Herbs that strengthen but relax the nervous system. Good for overstimulation and tension associated with fatigue and exhaustion. Nervine relaxant herbs: chamomile, lemon balm, linden flower, motherwort, skullcap, ashwagandha, St. John’s Wort Nervine relaxant oils: chamomile, citruses, clary sage, frankincense, jatamansi, lavender, palo santo, vetiver, ylang ylang Sample combinations: For general stress and tension: chamomile/lemon balm tea 2 – 4x day, 1 dropper ashwagandha tincture 2x day, massage / body oil with vetiver/clary sage eo Sedatives Sedative herbs have a stronger direct action on the nervous system. Essential oils generally do not have strong sedative powers compared to some herbs, but can be supportive. Sedative herbs: hops, cannabis and CBD, valerian, passionflower, kava kava, California poppy, skullcap, wood betony Sedative oils: agarwood, cedarwood, cistus, clary sage, chamomile, frankincense, jatamansi, lavender, lemon balm, neroli, rose, sandalwood, vetiver Sample combinations: For general tension and stress: 5 drops passionflower tincture 6 – 8x day; bath and massage with lavender/clary sage/ chamomile eo For supporting meditation: use agarwood chips or powder in incense heater; small dose CBD oil 2x day; lemon balm tea 2 – 4x day, wear rose and sandalwood as perfume Anxiolytic Anxiolytic herbs and oils reduce anxiety. Herbs tend to work more consistently, but some oils give excellent results for some people. The more chronic and severe the anxiety, the less effective herbs and oils tend to be for symptomatic treatment. Chronic anxiety must be resolved at a deeper psychological and emotional level, but herbs and oils and other integrated therapies can support retraining stress and anxiety patterns. Anxiolytic herbs: reishi, catnip, chamomile, hops, kava, linden, motherwort, milky oats, passionflower, skullcap, St. John’s Wort, blue vervain, valerian, California poppy, lavender, milky oat seed, gotu kola Anxiolytic oils: bergamot, clary sage, chamomile, frankincense, lavender, mandarin, marjoram, neroli, orange, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang Sample combinations: Bergamot and clary sage in diffuser; 5 drops passionflower tincture 3 – 5x day; use neroli as perfume. Chamomile/linden flower tea 2 – 4x day; one dropper tincture of red reishi 2x day, lavender and clary sage in diffuser; vetiver as perfume on in body or massage oil. Demulcent and Emollient Demulcent herbs are used internally for hydrating tissues and soothing mucus membranes; essential oils do the opposite. If taken internally essential oils can produce caustic inflammation of the gi tract, and require demulcent herbs to antidote. In cases where demulcents are required aromatic herbs teas are sometimes used, such as aromatic ingredients in a demulcent expectorant cough syrup. Because essential oils have the opposite qualities of demulcent herbs, they generally do not combine well. Demulcent and emollient herbs are moistening, essential oils are drying, especially for the skin. Demulcent herbs: slippery elm, comfrey root, flax seed, marshmallow root, licorice root, mullein, plantain, aloe vera gel Emollient herbs are moistening and hydrating,