Expert: Judy Frayne - 4/28/2009

Question
Hi,
I have a 15 year old daughter who has recently been diagnosed with M.E (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). We have been given little help by her GP and are interested in using other methods to help with her symptoms. Could you recommend some oils which would help with energy levels, and also headaches and muscle pain? Also, any suggestions as to how to use them would be helpful.
Thanks very much,
Anna

Answer
Hello Anna, I have treated a teenager with M.E. and it is a tricky one. I can't claim that aromatherapy will cure the problem, but my client used to say the treatments made her relax and feel better in herself.
Certainly aromatherapy would help muscle pain and headaches, so here are some oils I would recommend.

Energisers :
Rosemary,good painkiller, head clearing
Black pepper,warming, good for circulation.
Basil, Head clearing
Ginger, Warming energising
Grapefruit, Lime, Peppermint, all energising, clearing and refreshing.

Muscle relaxants / painkillers :
Lavender, Muscle relaxant, cooling & soothing, painkilling,head clearing
Sweet Marjoram,muscle relaxant, sedative, painkilling.
Roman Chamomile,soothing and painkilling, sedative.
Clary Sage ,Painkilling, Euphoric, relaxing. Excellent for spine and for female reproductive system.
Rosemary, good painkiller, head clearing

Feelgooders :
Frankincense ,Centering and calming, helps with breathing,gigglesome.Nice for the skin.
Jasmine,warming and assertive however some find it too heavy.
Ylang Ylang , deals with frustration and anger, pampering and relaxing, nice for the skin
Geranium, restores emotional and physical balance,good for the kidneys and for the skin.

Refreshers: Any Citrus oils.

I would use up to four or five oils in one mix. Choose your base carrier, whether it be a massage oil, a foam bath base , a lotion etc and mix enough for one application. Add one to two drops each of the oils.
For instance, a good painkilling formula might have two or three oils from the painkilling oils I have listed, but you could include one or two from the other lists to add their particular characteristics.

Painkilling relaxing in the evening formula could be....
Two drops Lavender
Two drops Sweet Marjoram
Two drops Roman Chamomile
Two drops Ylang Ylang

Wake up get rid of headache formula for the morning could be....
Two drops Lavender
One drop Peppermint (less is cool, more is hot)
One drop Lime

If the formula is for achey joints or headaches would in the bath. Aches are soothed by the heat of the bath, and the oils will sink into the body more quickly. For headaches, the steam of the bath will allow inhalation as well, which will go more directly to the source of the problem.
Massage is good for aches and pains an general relaxation, and should be gentle and slow to apply aromatherapy oils.
For energising during the day, a spray diffuser filled with water and a drop of Peppermint, Two drops Basil and Two drops of Lime provides a lovely refreshing fine spray for the face and neck. Add some Lavender if that is too tingly a mix. the bottle should be shaken up well before use.

I think the really important thing about aromatherapy for M.E is the nature of the way it used. The very act of mixing the oils and applying them is nurturing and comforting and gives the M.E sufferer the physical reassurance and support they need. Take your time trying the different aromas and see what your daughter is attracted to most, as our senses usually tell us what our bodies require. The other nice thing about the oils is that you can apply them anywhere on the body and they sink in and work very well. So your daughter may just feel like having her feet rubbed - that's fine, you can apply the oils and they will have good effect. obviously if she has an aching back it is better to Soak in the bath or have a back rub.
You can also 'burn' the oils in a vapouriser. choose one that has a deep top and fill it with hot water before adding a drop or two of the oils of your choice. This is good for relaxation as well as refreshing. Grapefruit for instance is a lovely refresher in the burner.

If you want to make up some formulae in larger amounts - I would use a 50ml bottle of base or carrier oil and up to twenty drops of aromatherapy oils. keep the bottle cool and out of sunlight.It will lose it's strength after a month or so, so you will need to use it often before it goes off.

I would also look around for any aromatherapy workshops that you could both attend - your daughter may well find she can't manage without the oils once she discovers how enjoyable they are.
Good luck, and please ask if you need ay more advice.
Best wishes
Judy