Creating oil magic: How to blend for a more targeted therapeutic approach
Like you, our family has learned how to use essential oils to provide support to our every day health. This month, however, I want to open your eyes to another more targeted and customized approach where you can learn to blend your oils for very specific support when your need is more acute.
The best way to teach you my method is to first tell you my story...
In June of last year I was diagnosed with a rare condition in my spine where the spinal fluid had become trapped in 8 of my 9 sacral nerve roots. These nerves, which supply my hips, groin, legs, and feet, were swollen with spinal fluid, compressing the nerves and eroding the surrounding sacral bone.
We consulted with one of the only neurosurgeons in the world who specialized in this problem. Surgery was scheduled at a small private hospital in Dallas and my 4-month wait began.
Now that I understood the reasons for my condition, I used the 4 months before my surgery to learn to soothe my discomfort with essential oils. I did a cursory search in my reference volume Modern Essentials and began using oils to support my nerves and soothe my inflammatory response.
After my surgery nurses told me that whatever I had done to stay comfortable before surgery had paid off! I seemed to be healing very nicely and was weaning off my prescription medications weeks, even months before most of their patients usually did. It slowly dawned on me that my pre-operative use of essential oils had actually contributed to a better post operative experience!
Realizing this, I delved even more deeply into my book. Could the oils actually support me while I healed? I reviewed the section on nerves. Since a piece of my sacrum the size of a silver dollar was now missing and replaced with a resorbable surgical plate, I decided it was important to visit the skeletal section as well.
Cross-referencing between sections, I decided to concoct two simple blends… one to encourage nerve repair and one to strengthen bone and manage my inflammatory response. Each blend contained “crossover” and “system-specific” oils that I had on hand.
My bone blend is made up of Wintergreen (which is specific to bone discomfort) and frankincense and juniper berry, (“crossover” oils that the book mentioned for their benefits to bone and nerve health, as well as inflammation).
My nerve blend is made up of peppermint (soothes and strengthens nerves), frankincense (nerve and inflammation) and lemongrass (for nerve support and bone discomfort.)
To prepare my blends, I mixed equal parts of the essential oils (60 drops of each) with fractionated coconut oil in two 15 ml glass bottles. I keep both blends by my bed and apply them several times a day. With my crossover oils I know that both my nerve and skeletal systems are getting the benefit no matter which blend I use.
I began using my blends before my incision was fully healed. Following the surgeon's instructions, I avoided applying them near my incision and focused instead on my hips, legs, and bottoms of my feet. I spent extra time on the reflexology points on my feet which corresponded with my sacrum. (I also learned about these points from reading my book.)
I also decided to take the Lifelong Vitality pack and the Deep Blue Polyphenol complex every day for nutritional, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory support. For about two weeks after my operation I drank two drops of Zendocrine oil in my morning herbal tea to help my organs recover from the extra strain surgery had placed upon them.
I began using my blends before my incision was fully healed. Following the surgeon's instructions, I avoided applying them near my incision and focused instead on my hips, legs, and bottoms of my feet. I spent extra time on the reflexology points on my feet which corresponded with my sacrum. (I also learned about these points from reading my book.)
I also decided to take the Lifelong Vitality pack and the Deep Blue Polyphenol complex every day for nutritional, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory support. For about two weeks after my operation I drank two drops of Zendocrine oil in my morning herbal tea to help my organs recover from the extra strain surgery had placed upon them.
Within one week of returning home I noticed that when I used my oil blends the natural healing process seemed go more smoothly. My range of motion improved and my pain levels reduced a little bit more every day. Feeling seemed to slowly return to areas that were left numb by the surgery.
Now, as I update my progress three months after surgery, I still continue to improve with regular use of my oils and supplements.
It feels really good to be a proactive participant in my own healing instead of just laying around "waiting to get better". And I want this for you too!
It feels really good to be a proactive participant in my own healing instead of just laying around "waiting to get better". And I want this for you too!
When you or someone you love is in this situation, I suggest that you do the following:
- See a doctor (of course) to obtain a proper diagnosis. Get second (and third) opinions until you are sure that you know what you are dealing with.
- Learn all that you can about your condition. What causes it? Which systems or organs are involved?
- Work with your doctor. What does he think he can do to help you? What sort of natural support does he feel your body will benefit from as you heal?
- Spend some time in Modern Essentials. Read up on the oils and supplements that will cleanse, soothe, or strengthen each system or organ involved. Cross reference as needed.
- Devise a plan to help your body, in a targeted way, to overcome the challenges it faces. Work with your doctor to make sure that your use of oils and supplements do not conflict with his protocols for you.
- Sit back and watch the magic. You may just be amazed at how well your body can heal with a little help from good old Mother Nature!
Happy Oiling!
