Essential Oils For Raynaud’s Disease

What is the Raynaud’s Disease?

Raynaud’s is a physiological phenomenon relating to the arteries and the sympathetic nerves supplying them. In a Raynaud’s response, the sympathetic nervous system over-reacts to an external trigger, such as an emotional stress, exposure to cold (i.e. taking something out of the freezer) or physical pressure (i.e. holding on to an object). This creates an arterial spasm “vasospasm”, which results in cold extremities as the blood supply to the skin is restricted. The loss of blood and oxygen to the skin causes it to starve; the skin may numb, turn white, yellow or blue. As the spasm subsides, oxygenated blood returns to the affected area, turning the skin red and sometimes causing throbbing pain.

(Vasoconstriction and dilation are natural reactions to external stimulus, It’s how the body self regulates and maintains homeostasis. For example,  when exposed to cold temperatures, the walls of the arteries constrict, redirecting blood from from extremities, conserving heat and protecting core organs. Conversely, when exposed to heat, arteries relax, allowing blood to flow to the surface of the skin where it can cool down. In Raynaud’s however, this reaction is extreme and occurs with “inappropriate” triggers.)

A Raynaud  attack can last for minutes, days or weeks and can be set off by a variety of triggers.

• Using a power drill
• Holding a bag too tight
• Temperature changes
• Stress

Raynaud’s disease often affects women more than men. Although it isn’t usually dangerous, in extreme cases, it can lead to frostbite and gangrene.

If you have symptoms of Raynauds, it is important to first consult with your health care provider, receive a medical diagnosis and explore all possible treatment options. With Raynauds it is also extremely important to ensure the cause is not due to an obstruction pressing on the arteries, a connective tissue disorder or from medications. Certain high blood pressure, heart disease, over-the-counter cold medicine, and birth control pills can aggravate Raynauds.

Essential oils for Raynaud’s disease help ease discomfort

Warming and circulatory tonic essential oils can be used to ease discomfort caused by Raynaud’s disease.

Essential oil suggestions:

Nutmeg Myristica fragrans: warming, circulatory stimulant, anti-inflammatory

Clove Eugenia caryophyllata: warming

Black Pepper Piper nigrum: warming

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens: circulatory stimulant, adaptogenic

Palmarosa Cymbopogon martinii: warming

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia: calming, adaptogenic

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare: warming, circulation

Recipes and method of application

2 week protocol

Week 1 Blend

Mix into a small glass container

15 drop Nutmeg Myristica fragrans:
5 drops Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
10 drops Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
2 tablespoons Carrier oil
(suggested carrier oils: Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis, Sweet Almond Oil Prunis dulcis, Fractionated Coconut Oil Cocos nucifera)

Week 2 Blend

Mix into a small glass container

10 drop Nutmeg Myristica fragrans:
10 drops  Black Pepper Piper nigrum
10 drops Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
2 tablespoons Carrier oil
(suggested carrier oils: Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis, Sweet Almond Oil Prunis dulcis, Fractionated Coconut Oil Cocos nucifera)

Application Methods

Bath: Use in the morning and evening

Use Week 1 blend for the first week then Week 2 blend for the 2nd week

Fill your bath tub with warm (not hot) water. Place 6-8 drops of the Week 1 or Week 2 blend in the palm of one of your hands and rub your hands together. Quickly and evenly spread the blend over your legs, feet, arms, and torso. Immerse yourself in the water.  While in the bath massage your legs, arms, hands and feet, paying special attention to your fingers and toes. Do this daily in the morning and evening.

Massage: If you are in the midst of an attack and to promote increase in circulation; use a quarter size amount of Week 1 or Week 2 blend or create your own blend (total 15-30 drops of essential oil in 2 oz. carrier.) Use for full body massage or regional application to hands and feet.

Frequency of self massage: Minimally once a day, two to three times if possible.

Additional essential Oil suggestions for massage:

Basil ct. linalol Ocimum basilicum
Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum
Marjoram Sweet Origanum majorana
Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
Orange Sweet Citrus sinensis
Grapefruit Citrus paradisi
Peppermint Mentha piperita
Lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus

3 examples for Massage Blends

• 4 drops Marjoram Sweet & 8 drops Geranium
• 4 drops Basil ct. linalol, 5 drops Cypress, &  5 drops Peppermint
• 5 drops Rosemary, 3 drops Orange Sweet, & 4 drops Geranium

Use one of the recipes above or 12-14 drops of essential oil of your choice to create the blends that feel best to you

Blend in one ounce of carrier oil, unscented lotion or cream (suggested carrier oils: Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis, Sweet Almond Oil Prunis dulcis, Fractionated Coconut Oil Cocos nucifera)

Would you like to learn more about essential oils – like where they come from, how they’re made and how to make your own special blends? Simply download our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.

References

Books
“Practical Aromatherapy for Self Care”: Joni Keim
“The Complete Book of Essential oils & Aromatherapy author”: Valerie Ann Worwood

Web
Raynauds Association

Research
Effect of Peppermint and Eucalyptus Oil Preparations on Neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters” 1994 Germany Gobel, Schmidt, Soyka Cephalalgia Jun; 14(3): 228-34; discussion 182.

Functional Imaging of Effects of Fragrances on the Human Brain After Prolonged Inhalation, by C. Anasel, B. Nasel, P. Samec, E. Schindler, G. Buchbauer, Chemical Senses, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp 359-364, 1994

Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System Targets.
López V1,2, Nielsen B2, Solas M3, Ramírez MJ3, Jäger AK2.
Front Pharmacol. 2017 May 19;8:280. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00280. eCollection 2017.

Effect of lavender essence inhalation on the level of anxiety and blood cortisol in candidates for open-heart surgery.
Hosseini S1, Heydari A1, Vakili M2, Moghadam S3, Tazyky S4.
Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2016 Jul-Aug;21(4):397-401. doi: 10.4103/1735-9066.185582.

The effects of lavender (Lavendula angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomised control trials
N. Morris. Complementary Therapies in Medicine – Volume 10, Issue 4, December 2002, Pages 223-228