Essential Oils For New Mothers

The elegant ways of treating with Ayurvedic essential oils for the caring angels experiencing heaven on earth for the first time:

Now that the nightmare of first pregnancy have come to an end and you are living in your dream moment right?!!! Welcome to the world of wonders where you’d love to cherish every lovely moment with your prized one. Each single action of your child will make you feel like walking on a bed of roses. You’d take pleasure in looking at your little one’s yawning, smiling, thumb sucking, sleeping and even your sleepless nights would end up in leaving an eternal joy within you. Yes! This is the noble feeling of motherliness and only a mother can feel all the happiness, especially when they are new to the world of motherhood with their first child.

Apart from all these good great feelings, there are certain distressing and not so easy to confiscate gifts that pregnancy leaves behind. Few such conditions are:

  • Extra pounds on your body
  • Ugly stretch marks
  • Maternity blues or postpartum depression
  • Unfit waist line
  • Rampant hormones/Hormonal imbalances

How to get rid of these irritating forms from your body? There are numerous ways to get back to your pre-pregnancy bodies but the safest and aromatic means of curing is with the use of essential oils that have proven effects on the health conditions of new moms. Let’s have a quick look at the best ways for swift healing with the real gifts of nature:

  • Post-pregnancy weight loss: Pregnancy and weight gain is as natural as butterfly and colors. Getting back to your beautiful structure by reducing the extra pounds you gained during pregnancy involves lot of physical exercises, nutritious diet and the touch of certain mystical essential oils. Generally essential oils have a good proportion of oxygen, the regular use of which can supplement your body, detach the toxins and proffer you a hale and hearty immune system essential for balancing your weight loss. Making use of remedial essential oils with high frequency can grant you a therapeutic pat assisting loss of excess weight through its vibrational motion. Few such oils are Blue Chamomile oil, Lavender oil, Juniper oil, Rose oil, Peppermint oil, Myrrh oil, Sandalwood oil, Basil oil and Angelica oil.
  • Stretch marks: Stretch marks are often disgusting and appear on your belly, breasts, thighs and bum especially during your pregnancy and stays there after also. A gentle massage with the healing essential oils like Frankincense essential oil, Lavender oil, Mandarin oil, Orange oil and Lemongrass oil can help in tightening, uplifting, knitting and repairing your tissues and aid to recapture your beautiful and supple skin.
  • Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression also known as maternity blues, baby blues, post-pregnancy depression and postpartum blues commonly occur in new moms in the first few weeks of their delivery causing depression, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, weepiness and frequent mood fluctuations due to hormonal imbalances. A soothing massage with Rosewood oil, Lavender essential oil, Geranium oil and Grapefruit oil along with a warm bath by adding few drops of YlangYlang essential oil, Jasmine oil or Clary Sage oil to your bath tub can help you calm your nerves, balance your hormone levels and trim down the level of depression.
  • Unfit waist line: Unfit waist line after delivery indicates the excess abdominal fat and the waist circumference put on during pregnancy. Regular massaging with natural essential oils like Cypress oil, Grapefruit oil or Grapeseed oil can aid you in getting back your waist in shape.

The eternal care and love from your partner along with these essential oils can help you go on a long way bringing up a virtuous child. Happy parenthood!

Thoughts for the day:

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.  – Mary Mason

No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love.Edwin H. Chapin

Reference Links:

  1. Maternity Blues from Wikipedia
  2. Essential Oils for Weight Loss from Maria’s Healing Touch
  3. Laugh In The Face of Stretch Marks from Musings of an Aromastrategist
  4. Postpartum Depression from MoonDragon’s Pregnancy Information

gamma-Eudesmol

Gamma-eudesmol is a sesquiterpene present mainly in the wood oil of the plant species Callitris collumellaris, Callitris intratropica, Callitris glaucophyla, which are found in Australia.

It is also present in the essential oil of Juniperus virginiana, Cajuput oil, Eucalyptus oil, Guava fruit oil etc.,

The molecular formula for gamma-eudesmol is C15H26O. It is also known by various other names such as (+)-gamma-eudesmol, Uncineol, Machilol, Selinenol and so on.

Attributes of Gamma-eudesmol:

Gamma-eudesmol owns a medium waxy smell.

Therapeutic attributes of gamma-eudesmol:

The primary curative properties of gamma-eudesmol are as follows:

Cytotoxicity:

The study titled ‘Eudesmol isomers induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells’ was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic effect of eudesmol isomers, namely alpha-eudesmol, beta-eudesmol and gamma-eudesmol against cancerous cells in liver.

It was found that the three eudesmol isomers exhibited potential cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells in liver by reducing the proliferation and causing the death of tumor cells by caspase-mediated apoptosis.

According to the study ‘In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana’,  it was found that the antitumor effects exhibited by the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana is contributed by the eudesmol isomers, alpha-eudesmol, beta-eudesmol and gamma-eudesmol. Further, they also show signs of significant cytotoxic activity against tumor cells.

Reference Links:

  1. Gamma-eudesmol by PubChem
  2. Eudesmol isomers induce caspase-mediated apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
  3. In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the essential oil from the leaves of Guatteria friesiana

Ayurveda and Turmeric Essential Oil: The Natural Bond

You can seldom find an Indian kitchen without this noble herb named ‘Turmeric’, used since 4000 years in the ancient healing system known as Ayurveda. The power of this herb is being realized by the contemporary researchers and innumerable research studies prove its efficiency, fighting for its stand in healing even the most complicated of the diseases. Each and every part of the turmeric plant is beneficial in its own ways and the essential oil is extracted from the rhizomes or the roots of this plant and that is why most of the times, Turmeric essential oil is favorably called as Turmeric root essential oil. Whenever and wherever you talk about or think about Ayurveda, you can never neglect the essence and health values imparted by this grand herb known as ‘Kanchani’ in Sanskrit meaning ‘The Golden Goddess’.

Healing properties of ‘versatile’ herb Turmeric: Turmeric herb is scientifically known as Curcuma Longa. The essential oil extracted from  the roots or bulbs of  this Indian Saffron plant by steam distillation process is said to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, diuretic, anti-allergic, digestive, vulnerary, carminative, astringent, cardiovascular, cholagogue, anti-tumor, appetizer, stimulant and alterative properties proven to be the best natural cure for the most problematical human illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, urinary tract infections, amenorrhea, hemorrhoids, gallstones, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) like Genital Herpes, Hepatitis-C etc, liver problems and even the most obscure skin disorders. Ayurveda suggests the use of turmeric in daily cooking for its priceless medicinal benefits.

Ayurvedic health benefits of Turmeric essential oil: Ayurveda has proudly named Turmeric as an ‘All-Purpose Cleanser’, insisting on the benefits of this herb in purifying the body from internal and external disorders. This energizing herb is meant to support the imbalance of Kapha body type (who are generally fat, obese and with a hefty body) with its warming properties and that is why Turmeric is used as an effective remedy in numerous natural weight-loss treatments. It also helps in resuming the function of pitta and vata body types also.

Nature’s shield against cancer: Cancer is hard to think and difficult to digest and I have personally felt the pain of losing my near ones to this deadly disease, being ignorant of the curative values granted by Ayurveda few years back. Turmeric has been used in numerous Ayurvedic treatments to help fight against cancer as it is said to restrain the development of fresh blood vessels in tumors and holds its growth. An accepted research in 2011 has witnessed that Turmeric essential oil has the capacity to fight against the free radicals in the body and act as excellent antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents. Ayurveda’s uses of Turmeric oil as an effective tool for preventing cancer has again been proved by this research which says that Turmeric essential oil increases the level of Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and augment carcinogen detoxification in the human body and effectively function as a perfect cancer-preventing force.

Brilliantly assists the digestive system: Along with imparting irresistible aroma and flavor to the food, turmeric supports the function of the digestive system. The safety prescribing authority of herbs in Germany known as the German Commission E has allegedly approved the use of Turmeric in treating digestive disorders. It stimulates the mucous element in the gastric juices and aids in curing irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, constipation and other chronic digestive disorders. Turmeric essential oil strengthens digestion and eliminates the toxins that are stored in the gastrointestinal tract.

Pampers the skin perfectly: Turmeric is the beauty secret of Queens since the prehistoric period. Ayurveda suggests the use of Turmeric daily as it protects the skin from harmful bodies and gives a flawless fair complexion. You might have come across the use of Turmeric essential oil in innumerable skin care products in the market for it is celebrated to treat wounds, eczema, wrinkles, pigmentation of skin, pimples, acne, psoriasis, cuts, burns and other skin infections.

Other health conditions: According to Ayurveda, turmeric is said to reduce Kapha (mucous secretion) and hence it is used an as effective aid in treating respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, accumulation of phlegm, common cold, cough, flu etc. It improves blood circulation and helps in treating female health problems like amenorrhea, dysmennorhea, uterine tumors, endometriosis and cysts. It protects the liver, treats diabetes, kidney pain, colitis, food poisoning, headache, vascular dysfunction, blood pressure, inflammation, swelling and reduces excess cholesterol.

How to use Turmeric essential oil: This powerful essential oil can be diluted with carrier oils and used as a topical application or for a relaxing Ayurvedic massage. Few drops of oil can be added to potpourris, vaporizers, candles or diffusers for combating germs in the air and protecting the environment naturally. It can also be added to your bath tub for an aromatic, healing, stimulating and energizing bath. Turmeric essential oil is generally ingested for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but it is strictly advised to consult an expert Ayurvedic Practitioner before using this oil internally and if you are pregnant or getting ready for a child.

All that glitters is not gold’ is a popular adage. With the bright golden color, Turmeric in the Ayurvedic world can be remembered by saying ‘All that glitters is Turmeric’ (rightly called as the Golden Goddess).

Thought for the day♥

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.

                                                                                    -Thomas Carlyle

Suggested reading:

  1. Turmeric: The Ayurvedic Spice of Life by Prashanti DeJager MS
  2. Curcumin: The 21st Century Cure: Prevent and Reverse: cancer, depression and dementia, digestive disorders, diabetes, pain and arthritis, heart disease and more by Jan McBarron M.D.
  3. Turmeric and the Healing Curcuminoids by Muhammed Majeed, Vladimir Badmaev, Frank Murray

Reference Links:

  1. Turmeric: ‘The Golden Goddess’ by California College of Ayurveda
  2. Turmeric by University of Maryland Medical Center
  3. An evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive activities of essential oil from Curcuma longa. L by PubMed
  4. Uses of Turmeric in Ayurveda by IndiaNetzone