How to help my bowels with aromatherapy
60 to 70 million people are said to be affected by digestive diseases. Given our fast-paced with trying to keep up with the times society, I am not surprised. Everyone is experiencing some type of fear, worry, anger and grief. These emotions are tied to specific organs…eliminative organs. They all have a direct link to the health of your bowel.
- fear is connected & stored in the kidneys
- worry is connected & stored in the intestines
- anger is connected & stored in the liver
- grief is connected & stored in the lungs
63 million have chronic constipation. 15.3 million have diarrhea or irritable bowel issues. That is a lot of people who are pooping too little or too much. Some battle between both, having constipation and diarrhea that fluctuates. This is often diagnosed as IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.
For me, I began my gut health journey in 1999. I started having some health issues but didn’t pay any attention to my body or mental health. I thought that was “growing up” and being an adult was all about. You push through no matter and “suck it up”.
I ended up with a urinary infection because I didn’t take enough bathroom breaks due to my office being so far away from a bathroom. Went to the doctor and got a prescription for antibiotics and pain relief. Well, I ended up being allergic to both those medications and got really, really sick. Thought I was going to die because I was so weak, fatigued and couldn’t think or see straight.
Thank goodness for mother’s intuition! My mom felt something was wrong and drove to my house unexpectedly. It took me almost 30 minutes to crawl to the door and let her in. Of course, she called my doctor immediately and said how sick I was. He replied, “Oh, I just got her results back and it says that is not the right medication. Get her to the ER immediately.”
Several hospital visits, doctor visits with all kinds of specialists, having my case be presented at a doctor’s convention to see if anyone could figure out why I am so sick. No luck. My gastrointestinal doctor said my organs were shutting down, and my body was failing. They said there was nothing they could do.
I started planning my funeral because…there was nothing they could do.
But there was something I could do! I just didn’t know it at the time.
I visited a local herb shop initially to get “body-building herbs” to plump me up since I was going to have an open casket. The lady asked me, “How are your bowels? Do you go poop every day?”
WHAT????
She asked me about poop. I was embarrassed and ran out. How dare her ask me about that when she doesn’t know me.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to go back a few weeks later to see why she asked me that. She explained the power of the bowels and what it can tell us about our health.
That conversation changed my life forever. Actually, it saved my life because 20+ years later, I am still here to tell you about my journey!
My hope in sharing is that it helps you on your health journey. You feel empowered to make better decisions about your own health or have an idea of where to turn for help.
My journey was during a time when the internet wasn’t what it is today. There was not as much information, knowledge, or understanding about what IBS, Crohn’s & colitis was.
Now, there is lots of information. But there is also lots of misinformation. I am sharing from personal expense of helping myself, but also how I’ve helped thousands of my clients gain better gut health.
The Power of the Bowels
How do they work?
Your guts are responsible for helping you absorb nutrients and release toxins, or “taking out the trash” as I call it. Those two things are also the secret to health and longevity as well. To break it down, the bowels four main functions are to –
- digest foods & debris such as bacteria, etc.
- assimilate or break nutrients
- absorb the nutrients in that food
- eliminate any wastes
What happens when they don’t work?
When the bowels don’t work, they can get backed up like a conveyer belt. This causes constipation. When you are constipated, those toxins stay in the gut causing a number of issues such as irritating the intestinal membranes and creating a favorable environment for parasites, fungus, and bacteria to live. you will experience a host of discomfort and health challenges that can affect weight, metabolism, adrenal functions, hormone health and more.
Problematic skin is a sign that the gut or colon is not healthy. Sluggish thinking and fatigue are mental issues that can happen when gut is clogged. Emotionally, you will feel down on yourself, undervalued and have a harder time setting boundaries.
Common gut issues:
- gas
- bloating
- indigestion
- abdominal cramping
- constipation
- diarrhea
- reflux & GERD
Essential oils to help gut health
The very first essential oil I was introduced to was Roman chamomile. This will probably be my all-time favorite since it brought me so much intestinal discomfort relief.
Fruits help strengthen circulation and membrane integrity of the guts
- lemon: strengthen pH balance & immune support
- orange: help with reflux, spasms and adrenal support
Spices & Mints activate the gastric juices especially when the intestines are dry, stuck and sluggish
- anise:
- cardamom: balance cravings and support digestion
- fennel: stimulate & support digestion
- nutmeg: support digestion and calm silent reflux or GERD
- peppermint & spearmint: calm nausea and indegestion
Floral or flower oils helps alleviate inflammation and spasms
- Roman chamomile: antispasmodic and cramp relief
- Clary sage: antispasmodic (IBS) and lifts mood when you are down in the dumps
- Lavender: calms digestive upset and good for everything
Herbal oils help to strengthen gut health while alleviating discomfort
- Marjoram: pain & cramp relief
- Rosemary: stimulate sluggish colon
- Thyme: stimulates digestion & antiparasitic
Wood oils help strengthen the integrity of the membranes while calming inflammation
- Cedar: strengthens intestinal membranes
- Frankincense: anti-inflammatory
Extra tools to create gut supporting recipes –
The BEST resource book on Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Practices for Holistic Health
Jennifer is a health and life coach for business professionals wanting better brain function, healthier gut and happier life through meaningful, plant-based holistic remedies. She is also the lead instructor at the JennScents Aromaversity.
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Want to learn how to help yourself & others with Gastrointestinal Health? Check out my Masterclass on Phyto-Aromatherapy for Gastrointestinal Health at the Aromaversity.
References:
NIH Source
