A Synergy of Herbs & Essential Oil Therapy - A Series - Treatments

BACKACHE TREATMENT

by Jeanne Rose (January 1988, updated 2009)

Introduction:

Years ago I had chronic back pain. At times I was unable to walk correctly as my leg would buckle from the pain that radiated down my back. At that time, during the days that I lived in Big Sure, surgery was recommended to fuse some vertebrae to alleviate the pain. Eventually, with the help of others who suffered back pain, I devised a formula to treat backache. In all cases where it was consistently used, the pain and disabling effects disappeared.

Exercise is the key. However, wait until back pain subsides before beginning your exercise program. The stomach muscles must be strengthened in order to support the weak back. Many excellent exercise books describe the exercises to strengthen a back. The simplest is one in which you lie upon a firm surface with your back pressed flat against the surface, knees bent. Draw one knee up to the chest, turn the leg, knee to the outside and lay it flat as possible alongside the body and slowly straighten the leg until both legs are parallel. Do this ten times on each side twice a day. Walk as much as possible - use comfortable appropriate shoes. Sitting is the worst thing you can do. If your job requires lots of sitting, get up, stretch at least every thirty minutes, and always keep knees higher than hips. Never place feet flat on floor - use a stool for feet to raise your knees.

HERBAL Treatments include herbal supplements which should consists of various herbs shuch as Comfrey leaf (Use only Symphytum officinale), Alfalfa sprouts, Oat straw, and Rosemary leaf in form of capsules, tablets, tea or extract. These will provide micronutrients that are helpful. These herbs can be further examined by reading Herbs & Things by Jeanne Rose

External Herbal Compresses of Kings Fern, Ginger root, Rosemary leaf and Comfrey root (Use ony Symphytum officinale) will ease pain and stimulate circulation.

Antispasmodic Herbal Mixtures can be taken as a tea. Michael Tierra recommends a combination of Prince's Pine (Chimaphila umbellate), Valerian, Lobelia, and Ginger root and Marshmallow root. Simmer two ounces of the herbs in two pints of water for thirty minutes and then take one cup at a time at least three times a day until relief is obtained.

AROMATHERAPY Treatments

HYDROSOLS: Any of the hydrosols can be added to the bath for treatment, especially Rosemary hydrosol and Lavender, which are both stimulating to the muscles but relaxing to the mind.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Aromatherapy for Mind/Body — 7 Simple Oils to Know and use the Stress Kit by Jeanne Rose© www.jeannerose.net. Other oils include Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Conifers, Geranium, Lavender, Orange Peel, and Rosemary.

CEDARWOOD: (Cedrus atlantica). Fam. Pinaceae. The tree originated from the Lebanon Cedar mentioned in the Bible. The wood was macerated/decocted in water and the steam collected in woolen cloth, which was then wrung out to capture the essence. It is a wonderful fixative essential oil, sweet, fruity and woody. It is excellent for respiratory congestion, to aid in deep breathing, for use in seasonal rituals.

CINNAMON: (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Fam. Lauraceae. It is Native to Indonesia and was traded along the ancient Arabic trade routes. Mentioned in Exodus as part of holy anointing oil and a traditional holiday scent. Used in Victorian England in potpourris, as a powdered substance in which clove-studded Oranges was immersed. It is inhaled to tap into the psychic mind. The essential oils is used to eliminate warts.

CONIFERs of all sorts (Fir (Abies), Pine (Pinus), Spruce (Picea))
Historical Uses: Respiratory aide and for the elimination of parasites. And by Inhalation: bactericide, disinfectant, stimulant, expectorant, calming, and uplifting. Emotional Uses (AP or IN) by Inhalation: Sudden fatigue and exhaustion, grounding, anxiety, stress, (and deep healing for the dark side of the male, or active, principle.)

Inhalation the conifer oils assist the lungs in clearing bronchitis, asthma, and for weak and debilitated conditions. The true conifer oils are excellent when used as an air freshener.

(Hormone-like, possibly stimulating the thymus gland, cortisone-like properties that effect the HPA axis)

GERANIUM Skin care: Used externally on acne, bruises, as a tonic astringent application for broken capillaries, burns, couperose (reddened) skin, cuts, all types of skin conditions, externally for hemorrhoids, in products for oily or mature skin. Used externally in massage for cellulite, breast engorgement, edema, or poor circulation. Use by inhalation for menopausal symptoms or PMS, nervous tension, or stress. It has been used extensively in the skin-care industry for all types of cosmetic problems. As a inhalant the ESSENTIAL OIL is considered to balance the glands. This oil has properties that are considered to be anti-infectious, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal (Spikenard is better), anti-inflammatory, relaxing and anti-spasmodic.

The hydrosol is excellent as a spray tonic for the skin, to reduce stress, relieve all sorts of menstrual or menopausal symptoms. Used internally by ingestion for the liver and pancreas (with the assistance of a health care provider).

LAVENDAR: (Lavandula angustifolia) The Lavender we most often consider is the one that we use. Depending on where and how it is grown is it very high in linaloöl that in moderation is a soothing sedative and linalyl acetate that is used in skin care for healing and relaxing. By inhalation this oil is sedative, tonic, analgesic, calming, antidepressant, and restorative.

Lavendula x intermedia is of many sorts depending upon where and how it is grown. It can be relaxing in massage.

ORANGE: (Citrus [many varieties]) Fam. Rutaceae. The fruit contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Thought to originate in China. The essential oils is used to flavor drinks and many liqueurs, such as Curaçao. The scent is sweet and evocative of Christmas, holiday cooking and happiness, and relieves anxiety. Inhalation of Orange peel oil (contains limonene and linalool) is useful as a calming with sedative like tonic properties; it is refreshing and uplifting.

ROSEMARY: (Rosmarinus officinalis). Like Lavendar there are many types of Rosemary oil. Some are refreshing and uplifting and others more stimulating. Use in massage oils to reduce muscular pain.

SPIKENARD: (Nardostachys jatamansi) Fam. Valerianaceae. The Women's Oil. A deep, powerful aroma. For serious skin conditions and to regulate heartbeat. A cooling, fever-reducing oil that is balancing, soothing, harmonizing and ancient.

EXTERNAL MASSAGE: Once per week or as often as possible. Use skin care oils like Calendula infused oil and add essential oils that will help modify any physical conidtion that you may have. For back ache use the Sports Relief Oils of Blue Sage, Sage, Juniper, Cypress, Rosemary CT cineol, warming Basil and astrinent Lemon. These essential oils can be mixed together or used seperately — 10-20 drops per ounce of carrier oil. Use serveral times per day on your aching back or joints. (To learn how to make a beautiful calendula infused oil, read pages 249-250 in Jeanne Rose's book, The Aromatherapy Book, Applications & Inhalations available online and at her website, www.jeannerose.net.)

DIET: Dietary Changes are probably necessary and will include reducing red meat eating, eating more vegetables, eat more raw foods, less mixing of foods (that is, eat fruits for one meal, carbohydrates at another and protein at a third), do not eat presereved foods or packaged foods (they probably contain preservatives). These changes are necessary to create a simple harmonious interior environment to allow the body the space and time necessary to heal itself.

SUPPLEMENTS:

HERBS: Comfrey leaf (Use only Symphytum officinale), Alfalfa sprouts, Oat straw, and Rosemary leaf in the form of capsules, tablets, tea or extract. Drink 2 cups of tea per day (1/4 oz of mixed herbs, infused in 1-quart just off the boil water for 20 minutes, strained, placed in a thermos, and drunk in 4-ounce portions 4 times per day.) This mixture is enough for a two-day supply.

VITAMINS: Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation are necessary. These may include a complete B-vitamin, extra B₆ and niacin amide, bone meal, and vitamin C and zinc.

HYDROTHERAPY/SPA:

Hydrotherapy. [Water therapy in general] or Balneotherapy [using Mineral Springs Baths] or Sea therapy [bathing in the sea or ocean] At least three times per week, take a long, hot soak, Epsom salt bath to relax your muscles. To encourage blood circulation, follow the bath with alternating hot and cold showers. The steamy hot water should be needling into the weak area of the back for three minutes. Immediately turn the water to as cold as possible and let the cold water flow onto the same area for one minute. The total is three minutes hot and one minute cold repeated three times for a total of twelve minutes after your bath. After you hot and cold showers cover your back warmly until you regain your normal temperature.

EMOTIONS OR Other Complementary Treatments

Acupuncture. Find a competent acupuncturist and succumb to the treatments and dietary advice. Remember, you will need at least five treatments before any significant good occurs.

Guided Imagery "The soul never thinks without a picture."... — Aristotle

Imagery provides a way to communicate with your subconscious mind. When you "see" an image in your mind it is a collaboration between your conscious and sub conscious. The image you see will always be different from what other see because it is formed from your own memories and experiences. Imagery is like a personalized, guided dream with emotions.

Mind-body Interaction

MIND-BODY INTERACTION is so fundamental and important to human existence that it normally goes unnoticed and is taken for granted. If I feel thirsty, the thought occurs to me, "I'll go get a drink of water." The next moment, without thought, my legs begin moving, carrying me to the water! Mind and body are constantly interacting. Philosophers have attempted to give an accurate description of mind-body interaction and to give a reasonable account to how mind-body interaction is possible.

The mind and body interact in powerful ways that affect a person's health. The digestive system is deeply controlled by the mind (brain); and anxiety, depression, and fear affect the function of this system. Social and psychological stress can trigger or aggravate a wide variety of diseases and disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and migraine headache. However, the relative importance of psychological factors varies widely among different people with the same disorder.

In a relaxing chair, think of a place that is beautiful and calming, start breathing as if you are there, slowly and calmly. Think of the details of the place down  to the blades of grass. See how this imagery can reduce the level of pain in your body, slow and strengthen your heartbeat and reduce your blood pressure and stress level. Try to practice this exercise twice a day, just before you arise and then before sleep.

UNCONDITIONAL THERAPY includes the use of DMSO on back pains, backache and arthritis.

ALWAYS USE baths, essential oils, hydrosols, dietary supplements and anything that you can possibly think of that will help with your condition. Read! Magazines, books and only the best and most non-New-Age (not woo-woo!) common sense info.

Health is Personal - Personalize It!

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Source List: The herbs can be purchased at an herb store and infusions made at home. For directions to making infusions of compresses, just purchase any of Jeanne Rose Books for directions. Don't think you can buy pre-made things. Make them yourself - it is really easy. Go to some place like Vitamin Express - they have a knowledgeable staff and will assist you with supplements. For hydrosols, try the Source list at the Aromatic Plant Project.  For salt baths, buy salt, scent the salt with our own pure oils and herbs. Don't purchase little pre-packaged salt baths at the store - it is too expensive. Making salt baths are really easy. Our Herbal Body Book or the SPA book has recipes for your own salt baths. Start taking responsibility for your own health. Your health will improve and you will save money as well.

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AUTHOR BIO: Jeanne Rose is the President Emeritus of Naha, current Executive Director of the Aromatic Plant Project which encourages the production and use of organically grown plants for essential oil and hydrosol, founder of the www.JeanneRose.net which contains dozens of articles on the use of essential oils and hydrosols and is the education arm of the APP. She has written over 20 books on herbs, aromatherapy and distillation including a complete Herbal Studies Course and Aromatherapy Studies Course. Visit her site for Seminars and educational materials.

Disclaimer: This work is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for accurate diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care professional. Dosages are often not given, as that is a matter between you and your health care provider. The author is neither a chemist nor a medical doctor. The content herein is the product of research and some personal and practical experience. Institute of Aromatic & Herbal Studies - Jeanne Rose©

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