Common Ailment & Treatments

Acne

Definition
Chronic skin disease affects practically all adolescents.

Possible Causes
Hormonal imbalance, accumulations of toxins, stress, and diet.

Symptoms
Sebaceous glands become blocked and infected. This leads to small spots or lumps on the face, back, and chest. The face is usually affected most due to the greater number of sebaceous glands.

Methods of Use
Facial steam cleansing
Massage
Lotions/Cream

Suggested Oils
Basil is a revitalizing tonic that stimulates the skin, cleansing sluggish and congested pores and leaving the skin feeling refreshed.
Lemongrass is an effective oil for open pores, and it balances oily conditions
Niaouli is a tissue-firming oil beneficial for cleansing skin eruptions associated with acne.

Asthma

Definition
Respiratory disorder.

Possible Causes
Allergic reaction. Sensitization to bacteria responsible for chronic or repeated infections e.g. tonsillitis and sinusitis. Allergies to pollen, animal fur, fungi, and dairy products. Occupational exposure to chemicals. Stress. Hereditary factors. Emotional stress can also play a part.

Symptoms
Difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and coughing caused by excessive mucus. Restlessness. Can panic and turn pale during an attack.

Methods of Use
Bathing
Dry inhalation (drops on a tissue or handkerchief)
Massages to the chest, neck, and shoulders
Diffuser
Lotions/creams
Caution: Do not inhale with hot steam. It may take the breath away.

Suggested Oils
Frankincense, Rose, Chamomile (German) Chamomile (Roman), Lavender
Bergamot, Clary Sage,  Marjoram (sweet), Melissa or May Chang 

Cellulite

Definition
Cellulite is an accumulation of water and toxic wastes in the connective tissue surrounding the fat cells. The tissue around the fat cells tends to harden, imprisoning the water and causing unsightly bulges (hump).

Possible Causes
Hormonal imbalance, poor circulation, unbalanced diet, abuse of tea, coffee, cigarettes or alcohol and stress. Sluggish lymphatic system. Accumulation of toxin.

Symptoms
Thickening ‘orange peel skin’ over hips, buttocks and thighs. Characteristic puckering of the skin which distinguishes cellulite from ordinary fat.
Puckering draw or gather into wrinkles or irregular folds.

Methods of Use
Lymphatic massage
Bathing
Self-massage
Lotions/Creams

Suggested Oils
Geranium
Grapefruit
Juniper Berry
Cypress
Thyme (white)
Fennel (sweet) 

Depression

Definition
Moods of sadness and despondency.

Possible Causes
Life events such as bereavement, divorce, illness and stress.

Symptoms
Moody, sad, restless, irritable,fatigued, lethargic and, in extreme cases, suicidal, with no sense of purpose.

Methods of Use
Massage
Bath
Diffuser
Tissue/Handkerchief
Foot bath
Creams/Lotions

Suggested Oils
Rose (cabbage), Neroli
Jasmine, Ylang Ylang
Geranium, Bergamot
Patchouli, Sandalwood
Grapefruit, Vetivert
Chamomile (Roman)
May Chang 

Eczema

Definition
A reaction of the skin to a wide range of stimulants or irritants, both physical and emotional. Can be acute or chronic.

Possible Causes
Allergy to chemicals, dust, detergents, soap and cosmetics. Stress. Poor diet. Family history of allergies. Detoxifying through the skin.

Symptoms
Itching, redness, dryness, scaling and weeping of the skin, crusts and secondary skin infections.

Methods of Use
Bath
Lotions/Creams
Compress (cold)
Foot bath
Massage (for stress, not over actual eczema)

Suggested Oils
Chamomile (Roman)
Melissa,
Lavender
Geranium
Neroli
Juniper Berry
Myrrh 

Insomnia

Definition
Sleeplessness

Possible Causes
Noise, stress, caffeine, pain, tension, depression, worry, and over-tiredness.

Symptoms
Not able to sleep, or go to sleep immediately but wake up shortly afterward. Tension and irritability.

Methods of Use
Massage (marjoram and lavender before bed)
Bath (Neroli), Foot bath
Lotions/Creams (Chamomile and Lavender on the chest before bed)
Diffuser, Tissue/Handkerchief

Suggested Oils
Lavender
Chamomile (German)
Neroli, Chamomile (Roman)
Rose, May Chang
Orange (sweet)
Marjoram (sweet), Vetivert

Menopause

Definition
The natural cessation of the menstrual cycle at the end of reproductive life. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 50, but rarely before 40. Menopause can be disturbing psychologically and can be accompanied by physical manifestations.

Possible Causes
The natural end of a woman’s reproductive life, when no longer ovulating.

Symptoms
Gradual cessation of menstrual flow (although excessive flow can occur during the process), hot flushes, tiredness, sleeplessness, irritability, lack of concentration, palpitations, aching joints, vaginal irritation, and possible loss of libido.

Methods of Use
Massage
Diffuser
Bath, Foot bath
Compress
Tissue/Handkerchief
Creams/Lotions

Suggested Oils
Neroli
Geranium
Rose (cabbage)
Fennel (sweet)
Clary-sage
Cypress

Migraine

Definition
Recurring intense headaches.

Possible Causes
Anxiety, irregular meals, prolonged lack of food, diet, alcohol, pre-menstrual days, over-exertion, physical and mental
fatigue, changes of routine, late rising (too much sleep), fluorescent lights, changes in weather and very hot baths.

Symptoms
Tension in the muscles of the scalp, neck and shoulders. Nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. Light may
cause discomfort. Possibly tunnel vision.

Methods of Use
Cold compress (of lavender and Peppermint on back of neck and forehead)
Warm compress (of Marjoram on back of neck)
Massage (light with lavender)

Suggested Oils
Lavender
Peppermint
Marjoram (sweet) 

PMS

Definition
Pre-menstrual syndrome is a combination of various physical and emotional symptoms that occur in some women for a week or two before menstruation.

Possible Causes
The exact cause of PMS is unknown, but it seems to be related to the fluctuating levels of hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, that occur in preparation for menstruation.

Symptoms
Emotional symptoms: irritability, tension, depression, fatigue, and food cravings.
Physical symptoms: breast tenderness, fluid retention, headache, backache, and lower abdominal pain.

Methods of Use
Regular full body massage
Massage the abdomen daily one week before menstruation or onset of symptoms
Bathing
Personal perfume

Suggested Oils
Clary sage
Geranium
Rose Otto 

Odema

Definition
Excess fluid retention in any body tissue, cavity or organ except bone.

Possible Causes
Hormonal disturbance, heart failure, kidney
failure, shock, local injury, drugs, steroids and protein deficiency.

Symptoms
Presence of fluid, usually in a limb.
Ankles are especially prone, as they are the furthest large joints from the heart. Fluid can gather if standing all day because the circulation is not good enough to cope with the force of gravity. Ankles can swell on a long flight and during pregnancy.

Methods of Use
Bath
Massage
Foot bath

Suggested Oils
Geranium
Rosemary
Fennel (sweet)
Cypress
Pine
Grapefruit
Patchouli 

Varicose Veins

Definition
Dilated or swollen veins.

Possible Causes
Poor circulation, prolonged standing, poor nutrition, obesity, faulty genes or pregnancy.

Symptoms
Swelling in the area with aching, itching and pain. Varicose veins mainly occur in the legs or lower area of the bowel (haemorrhoids).

Methods of Use
Massage (above vein only)
Bath lotions
Creams
Cold compress

Suggested Oils
Cypress
Lavender
Juniper Berry
Rosemary
Lemon 

Stress

Definition
Stress and stress related illnesses are when the mental and physical health of an individual are unbalanced.

Possible Causes
Stress factors may be physical, mental, emotional and environmental e.g. accident, injury, financial worries, relationship
problems, pollution and work concerns.

Symptoms
Depressed immune system. Sense of being out of control. Physical complaints such as headaches, muscular pain and lethargy.

Methods of Use
Massage
Bath
Diffuser
Tissue/Handkerchief

Suggested Oils
Rose (cabbage), Neroli, Melissa,
Sandalwood, Orange (sweet),
Rosemary, Basil (European),
Lavender, Marjoram (sweet),
Geranium, Chamomile (German),
Palmarosa, Jasmine, Vetivert,
Frankincense, Patchouli, Lemon