These remedies are not intended to take the place of regular medicine. If your complaint requires it VISIT A DOCTOR!
Remember that all essential oils, with the exception of Lavender, MUST be diluted before coming into contact with your skin. Some oils can cause irritation. Wash the affected area and discontinue use if affected. Check out the 'Important notes on oils' page before you begin.
Ailments F-J
Flatulence
Charcoal reduces trapped wind. Eating Celery seeds can help.
Steep fresh Dill in boiling water. Drink half a cup of Sweet Flag infusion before meals.
Food Poisoning
Drink Lemon juice diluted in warm water to cleanse the system. Drink 3 teaspoons of honey in a cup of warm water.
Chew Ginger root to relieve nausea. drink an infusion of Comfrey root or Meadowsweet. Licorice tea will help to flush toxins from the body. Chamomile tea will ease digestion and reduce inflammation.
Place Tea Tree, Garlic, Eucalyptus or Juniper essential oils to a bath or oil burner to fight infection. Bergamot oil in a cold compress placed on the forehead will help to reduce fever.
Gastroenteritis
Comfrey root and Meadowsweet infusions will help relieve the symptoms and prevent infection.
Massage Chamomile and Geranium essential oils into the abdomen to relieve pain.
Glandular Fever
Clevers, Echinacea and Nettles stimulate immune activity and help to fight infection. Drink infusions of Yarrow and Elderflower to control fever and induce sweating.
Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary and Tea Tree essential oils applied in a massage or added to the bath, will help fight the virus.
Increase levels of vitamin C, B complex and zinc.
Hair loss
Drink Rosemary tea regularly, Massage the scalp with an infusion of Fennugreek or Ginger. Rinse hair with Nettle vinegar.
Massage the scalp with Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Cedarwood, Patchouli or Yllang Yllang essential oils.
Increase levels of vitamin B complex, Choline, Calcium, and Magnesium.
Hay fever
Eat plenty of fresh Garlic to aid the immune system.
A few weeks before the pollen season start drinking a tea of Yarrow and Elderflowers to increase resistance. A compress of Elderflower, Eyebright or Chamomile will ease itchy eyes. Eyebright tea will relieve symptoms of hay fever once it has started.
A bath using a few drops of Chamomile essential oil will help to ease symptoms. Steam or dry inhalations of Eucalyptus and/or Lavender can ease sneezing and a runny nose, they can also be used in the bath.
Bee Pollen and Royal Jelly can help prevent hay fever when taken several weeks before the season.
Headaches
Peppermint, Spearmint, Chamomile, Rose Hip, Meadowsweet or Lemon Balm teas can help to relieve a tension headache. Valarian root tea can also be helpful but can also induce sleep.
Eating Feverfew leaves or a small peice of Ginger has been found to be helpful.
Massage a few drops of neat Lavender oil, Lobelia or Valarian extract into the temples. Place a warm compress of Sweet Marjoram oil on the forehead. For almost instant pain relief place a few drops of Lavender oil at the base of the nostrils.
Passion Flower in tablet form can help relieve stress headaches.
Low levels of Niacin and Vitamin B6 can be the cause of frequent headaches. Calcium and Magnesium can help prevent headaches.
Hepatitis
Golden Seal, Verbena, Barbery, Blue Flag, Dandelion and Wild Yam are all liver tonics. Drink Barley or Rice water.
Massage Juniper, Grpefruit, Chamomile or Cypress essential oils into the abdomen and add to baths.
Drink plenty of fluids. Increase levels of Vitamin C.
Hiccups
Suck a peice of fresh Lemon, or squirt some fresh Lemon juice into the back of the throat. Hold a glass of fresh water so that you are leaning over it with your mouth over the farthest side of the glass. Take 10 sips of water slowly from the far side of the glass.
Hyperventilation
Combine Skullcap and Valarian to make a tea to be drunk 2-3 times a day. This will soothe and relax but may cause drowsiness.
Combine Lavender, Geranium and Bergamot essentail oils in Sweet Almond oil for a relaxing bath.
Increase levels of B vitamins to help balance the nervous system.
Indigestion
Drink Peppermint Clove, Cinnamon, or Fennel teas after a meal. Eat fresh pineapple after meals.
Horseradish, Garlic, Comfrey, Thyme, Wintergreen, Cayenne, Ginger, and Red Raspberry will all help to heal the stomach.
Drink vinegar and honey in hot water.
Insomnia
Lettace encourages sleep and can be eaten or drunk in a tea before bed.
Chamomile, Catmip, Lobelia, Lemon Balm or Limeflower tea drunk before bed can aid restful sleep. Valerian, Lobelia, Scullcap, and Passion Flower should be combined in an infusion to be drunk just before bed.
Horsetail, Marshmallow or Peach leaf can help to reduce nervousness when drunk as teas.
Take a relaxing bath using Chamomile, Lavender and/or Clary Sage essential oils. place a peice of cloth with a few drops of Lavender oil on it near your pillow, or put a few drops onto the lightbulb.
White Chestnut flower essence can reduce worrying thoughts. Vervain or Rock Water flower essences can reduce stress or frustration.
Information sources:
'The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies' C. Norman Shealy
'Aromatherapy an A-Z' Patricia Davis
My own Book of Shadows
