Using Essential Oils to Manage Celiac

It's been awhile since my last post! I am catching up this week! Here's my experience so far with using essential oils with my Celiac:

"How are you using doTERRA essential oils to help you with a gluten free diet?"

"Will they be able to help you so that you can be healed or eat gluten again?" 

I have been asked these question a few times. I actually wondered about them before I found out I had Celiac and went gluten free! Now that I'm experiencing it for myself, I'm finding answers. 

Now, I don't know about the healing question. (We do not diagnose, treat or cure any illness.)

...And, I actually don't know if the oils can help lessen the cause of Celiac disease since it is genetic. That will be the long-term experiment of me and my oils. From my impression and education right now, going back to gluten is NOT an option, ever, for a Celiac.

For now I want to focus on how the oils can help somebody who is gluten intolerant or has Celiac to manage their symptoms, detoxify their body from harmful chemicals, gluten and Candida, and discuss the cellular support the oils can offer for the long term. I love using Essential Oils because of their powerful qualities. They work FAST! And are effective! I love using natural solutions for my health problems! 

I'll do a separate post for each area. This post will focus on how to support the body when dealing with symptoms from the gluten intolerance and Celiac disease using essential oils. Of course the best treatment is just to stay away from the gluten and whatever else is making you sick. But boy, I know that can be hard, especially in the beginning!

Before I jump in, I want to clarify a point that is often asked: I use Essential Oils 100% Pure and Therapeutic Grade.  When looking at essential oils, it's important to know the source and to investigate its purity, potency, integrity and the testing that is done to ensure purity.

A FEW drops, a FEW times a day is all you need...

Pain relief from Headaches: peppermint*, a soothing blend with winter green, helichrysum, peppermint and more*, frankincense, lavender, and a Massage blend with basil, lavender, and cypress*. I layer a drop or two of lavender, frankincense and peppermint on my neck and forehead, and rub down tight muscles with the massage and soothing blends. Inhaling the peppermint is another great way to relieve headache pain. A brand new dietary supplement, a poly-phenol complex, is a new addition to my regimen. I just had a headache sneaking on, took one, and it has gone away. I will continue to report on this one, as it is brand new!

Supporting the Digestive System: gas, bloating, constipation, the opposite, etc.
My absolute most favorite oil for all digestive issues is peppermint. Peppermint tea works well and has been used for ever for digestive problems. I love using the oil because it's so powerful and so effective, so quickly.

Other oils that help are a digestive blend of peppermint, ginger, and anise;*, rosemary, ginger, and a metabolic blend with grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon and peppermint. You can smell these for nausea, rub a drop or two on the tummy or take internally (explained below) for general discomfort, constipation, etc. The oils are balancing and supportive, giving your digestive system just what it needs.

With the purity of the essential oils I use, I do take those that are labeled as GRAS internally as they have a greater and more rapid effect. I drink one drop of peppermint oil in about 16 oz of water. I love to mix this with lemon water and make it a hot tea. I take the digestive blend in a veggie cap and swallow it like a pill. Another note on purity here: I do not recommend the use of any essential oil internally unless noted on the label and if taken as directed! (check the label of the brand you use for clarity). And, If you don't feel comfortable, just apply topically to the tummy area.**

I will cover pro-biotics, enzymes and other digestive aids in my post on nutritional cleansing and healing the gut (hopefully next week)

Supporting Joints and muscles pain: soothing blend, lavender, massage blend, peppermint*, basil, white fir, winter green, melaleuca, frankincense. Rub a drop or two on location of pain and massage. There is also an amazing massage technique, explained here, that helps with stress and muscle aches and pains.

Aromatherapy is the most effective for mood disorders!

 Mood Management (depression, PMS, anxiety, etc.): lavender, frankincense, grounding blend, invigorating blend, joyful blend and calming blend, citrus oils. Diffuse, mist from a spray bottle, inhale from the bottle or from cupped hands, apply on chest or wrist. The key here is to use the oils aromatically. I like to apply to the feet each morning, diffuse throughout the day, and apply to the wrists as needed.

Skin Support for lesions, rashes and acne: lavender, frankincense, cedar wood, geranium, melaleuca. I've been using all of these and they help. All of these oils are very mild. The sore has not disappeared in one day, but there is less puss and pain, and it seems to heal faster. Apply just a drop 3-4 times a day. I have used pure therapeutic essential oils, those listed above, topically on other rashes and acne as well.When using these oils with eczema, you want to take caution. Apply on the feet instead of directly on the rash, especially if the rash is open. Use organic coconut oil directly on the rash.. or mix with some of the above oils. When in doubt with an open sore, dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil (always do this with sensitive skin or babies).

So far, these are the oils I have used most! I welcome your questions and am ready to support you in your journey! Leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible! you can also email me at oilsempowerparents@gmail.com. Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/empowerparents

for ASL users check out: www.asloils.com

I am excited to continue my journey to health and bring you along with me! 

*These oils may be 'hot' to sensitive skin or little ones, dilute using a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil.
** When using essential oils for digestive issues, some people report having flu-like symptoms. You may have more cleansing more quickly than you are ready for. Scale back and use only on the feet, use a little less, etc.I had this and it lasted just a day or two when I very first used the oils. Ever since, they have been always helpful.

The Gluten Free Journey So far: A Health Update

Well. If I told you the last 6 weeks have been easy, it would be a lie. 

If I told you I’ve been "so much better" since I’ve been off gluten, that would be an overstatement.

I can tell you; however, that I have seen improvement, that I’ve learned a lot, and that I still have a lot to learn. 

First off: I’ve had less stomach pain, constipation and bloating. TMI, right? Sorry, but that has been my biggest improvement. My hands and arms hurt less and I’m not as tired. I’ve had some downright good days where I think to myself, “Wow, you really were sick. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good.” And other days I know I feel worse and it must be part of the healing process. The one thing that hasn’t improved is my headaches. My Dr. said it could take 6 months to a year to have those really improve, so I guess I’ll get set for the long haul.

I’ve learned a lot: gluten is found almost everywhere! It’s in chicken broth and chicken bullion. It’s in soy sauce and other marinades you buy ready to use. It’s in canned chili, rice mixes, and lots of other processed foods. Of course we all know processed foods aren’t the best for us, and I was trying to stay away from them. However, on busy days, it was so easy to grab something and have it ready quick. Those days are gone.Or at least until I find some better quick cooking strategies. 

I’ve also learned a new word: glutened. 

It’s not in the dictionary so I’ll define it for you. Glutened: the state of being poisoned by gluten. 

You can’t really feel the effects of being glutened until you have been off gluten for a while. It’s like your body is getting cleared out and then gets hit with a bit of gluten and says, “Whoa, that stuff is awful!” It’s like having been sitting in the hot tub and then jumping in the swimming pool again. You’ve been used to something your whole life and your body just starts to cope, to play survival. Then you begin to clean it out, to help it heal. Since I’ve been off gluten, my body is more sensitive to dairy and sugar. It’s communicating with me more, letting me know what it likes and what it doesn’t. When I have accidentally eaten gluten, my old symptoms that I didn’t even really know where there, flare up almost instantly. 

I’ve also learned that I am very blessed. I’ll not go on and on about my symptoms because frankly, mine just are not as bad as they could be. I have been blessed with essential oils and amazing supplements that have helped my body cope and survive. I think, as I’ve researched and talked with others, that I have been spared from many worse symptoms that are out there. I am also grateful for my Doctor. She didn’t just give me medication and send me on my way. She took the time to educate me and explain why she thought I should go off gluten. She provided me with resources and with hope. I can’t imagine how sick I may have been in 5 years if I had stayed on the road I was.

As I pin recipes on Pinterest and surf blogs on the gluten free life, I see I have much to learn. I am excited to see what my essential oils have to offer in the way of healing my brain and managing my symptoms. Every bend in the road we call life is something we can learn from. I'll share that knowledge and experience as I go with you! 

I Didn't Know I was Sick

Last week, I was tested for Celiac's Disease.

It was negative, the Dr. Said it's very hard to diagnose. 

After reading all the information and symptoms and really thinking about my body and my life, I think I may still have Celiac's... if not, I'm pretty sure I'm Gluten Intolerant. 

Here's the thing... I didn't realize I was sick!

14 years ago I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel syndrome. I was told to avoid dairy and sent on my way. The next Dr. I saw said, "There's really no such thing as IBS, it's just our diet: eat a balance diet of fiber, whole grains, etc. You'll be fine." 

That is the advice I have followed. I have been mostly dairy free ( I cheat once in a while) ever since, focused on whole grains, including whole wheat, vegetables, and reducing processed foods. As kids came and I was working full time, this habits started to wane. I have been working hard to get back into them the last two years, but have not eaten as well as I should. 

I have found great help in managing my symptoms with essential oils and natural supplements. My headaches went away, but then they came back. I never made a connection between all of my symptoms. 

Here is the list.. and my comments:

Constipation (and other digestive disorders)
Brain fog  (I've had a lot of this lately - again, I thought it was just not enough sleep)
Numbness in the limbs (mine is always after sleep... Thought I'd slept wrong and that was normal)
Anxiety and depression (I manage mine with the oils and supplements... Not so bad...)
Acne and skin issues (yup.. got that - again, thanks for the help from oils!)
Fatigue....(I'm a Mom that never gets enough sleep)

Joint and muscle pain (Doesn't everyone have that? Again, I didn't realize I may have more than the norm, or that I shouldn't have it at all... And this has gotten worse lately.)
Headaches:  (this is a big one for me. I thought it was just my hormones, maybe my IUD, but I have fought headaches all my life.)
Weight loss and other signs of malnutrition:  (yup, I've lost weight, I'm just under normal. I've been losing my hair more than normal, and wondering why.)

So... I've realized, my symptoms have gotten progressively worse over the last few months. I had just kept on going, not realizing what was happening.

Gluten Intolerance is becoming more prevalent.

Celiac disease is hereditary. Only 3% of those with Celiac disease are actually diagnosed.  

Hmmm... I started my Gluten Free journey last Saturday. After only 6 days, I am feeling some improvements. I also started a nutritional cleanse at the same time. I have had less tummy issues, less muscle and joint pain, and my  headaches have been mostly manageable with only essential oils. It's supposed to take 6-8 weeks to really see a difference in the headaches. With how much better my tummy feels, though, I'm curious to see the real results in a few weeks! Besides, this is forcing me to make the changes I have wanted to make for a long time: less processed food, less sugar and JUNK, and more whole foods, veggies and fruits! 

While this isn't a Health and Wellness Blog necessarily, I will have a post now and again about my health and that of my family. Health and Education go hand in hand - we need them both! And... they coincide so much! See our Health and Wellness page for more info and I hope you will follow us and come back often for updates!