Aromatherapy/Helichrysum

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Expert: - 7/13/2011


Question
My friend recently suffered from a pulmonary embolism. He is healthy, young and active. Eventually the doctors discovered he has a genetic blood clotting disorder. He has been on coumadin for a couple of months now but his INR is still too low. It does not seem to be working and he is experiencing anxiety and depression which he believes is due to the coumadin.

Through research I found that helichrysum is a good anti-coaggulant. I was wondering if you could tell me how effective you think it would be and how to use it. Does it get diluted? How is it applied? I was hoping that in conjunction with his medicine he would be able to see a difference and maybe one day come off the coumadin.

I understand that your advice/opinion/knowledge on this subject is not a substitute for medical advice.

Thanks!

Answer
Hello Stacy, thank you for your question.
This is quite a difficult one - firstly, during my time as an aromatherapist I have always advised against taking any essential oils internally. Upon receiving your question I have found some articles that recommend taking Helichrysum as an emergency blood thinning solution. I have to say that I can't give you any advice on this. The essential oils are extremely concentrated and could cause untold damage to delicate tissue if used incorrectly. However there are some schools of aromatherpy that may be able to advise on this. The Tisserand methods do use oral ingestion - so if you could a Tisserand trained therapist they may be able to advise. Please check out this link:

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/how-d...

On the positive side - I do know from experience that taking Vitamin E and wheatgerm oil capsules on a daily basis helps with preventing blood clots and benefits the heart. Do read up on this or encourage your friend to ask advice from a naturopath or herbalist.

Helichrysum is a wonderful oil, and could easily be used as a massage oil, diluted with a carrier such as coconut, or sweet almond oil. Massage would have the effect of bringing the blood to the surface and encourage circulation - always a good thing. Helichrysum would also be lovely used with lavender and maybe rose essential oils as a massage or as a bath soak. This would have an effect on the circulatory system as well as encouraging relaxation. Rose is also recommended for  the blood. However you would only be using a couple of drops of each essential oil at a time. The oils take several hours to absorb into the systems and are in very small amounts. There are other lovely oils for anxiety - frankincense, ylang ylang for instance, that could be blended with the Helichrysum.

I hope this helps.
Good luck

Judy

Aromatherapy

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Judy Frayne

Expertise

I specialise in the mixing of oils. Every problem has a different solution depending on the underlying causes.A simple headache could be caused for a number of different reasons. Tracking down the origins of a problem is the first step. I can then advise on the correct oils to use,how to buy them and the methods with which they can be applied. I can also recommend other complimentary techniques for self help with many physical and emotional problems. Feel free to ask about: Skin disorders - eczema, psoriasis,atheletes foot Muscular aches and pains - arthritis, neck and shoulder tension. Painkilling - headaches, chronic pain, backache. Digestive disorders - IBS, constipation. Stress - depression, anxiety, grief, anger, concentration. Medicine cupboard - bites, stings, cuts, bruises,burns. Babies and childrens - tummy aches, colds, sleep problems. And many more !

Experience

I have been a qualified aromatherapist for twelve years, working in my own premises as well as mobile visiting. My clients have been varied - ranging from babies to the elderly and sadly,the terminally ill. Whilst many clients simply wish to use aromatherapy to promote a feeling of well being and keep themselves relaxed and healthy - I have had much experience of clients with specific needs. These are just as wide ranging - from skin disorders to back problems on the physical side - to the emotional and spiritual side of things and problems such as coping with grief and bereavement or helping combat anger and stress. I use a mixture of techniques including reflexology. I believe that aromatherapy is a very simple and natural method of self help that can compliment conventional techniques. I am passionate about passing on safe and sensible advice so that more people feel confident to try aromatherapy for themselves. Aromatherapy is not always a cure - but it's potency should never be underestimated. It can help, it can be life changing - and it's certainly worth trying

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