It's been said that "you can't live without inflammation, but it can also be hazardous to your health." Inflammation is the body's natural response to trauma, heat, and chemicals, but too much of it for a prolonged period of time can cause several negative effects in a variety of systems.
This month in our educational webinar Silver Wellness Advocate Diane Carroll, who is also a registered nurse, shared some of the wisdom she has gained from her research on the body's inflammatory response. She also taught how dōTERRA essential oils and supplements can help support this body function.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx1rxgD53R4[/embed]
Inflammation is activated by the immune system, is a natural defense, and is typically localized. Common signs of inflammation include: (PRISH)
Pain
Redness
Immobility
Swelling
Heat
A few culprits of unhealthy, long-lasting inflammation include:
Lack of exercise
Poor diet
Poor sleep
Smoking
We see that the human body was neither meant to handle these culprits, nor the bombardment of toxins, stress, and other environmental agents, and these factors have begun to take their toll. What we end up with is cellular stress and malfunction. Thankfully, we have discovered food, natural supplements, and essential oils that support our bodies in doing what they were designed to do!
Researchers have found that the following foods are helpful in reducing inflammation in the body:
Tomatoes
Fruits
Nuts
Olive Oil
Leafy Greens
Fatty Fish
Supplements that support a healthy inflammatory response:
Essential oils to reduce inflammation and soothe pain:
Cedarwood, Myrrh, Patchouli, Black Pepper, Sandalwood, Vetiver (high in sesquiterpenes, which are powerful antioxidants small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier)
Frankincense, Juniper Berry, Marjoram, Lavender, Cypress, Bergamot, White Fir, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus, Wintergreen, and Lemongrass (high in monoterpenes and powerful pain relievers with anti-inflammatory properties)
Diane also recommended the following recipes to try:
When using essential oils topically, use a carrier oil to avoid sensitivities. For immediate needs, apply the oils every 20-30 minutes until the therapeutic benefit is achieved, and then every 2-6 hours as needed. For long-term support, use 2-3 times daily. Layering the oils can also be very effective.
Use the oils internally for long-term inflammatory response and/or internal organ support. Place the oils in a capsule (with a carrier oil if desired) or a drop under the tongue.
If you have positive results with any of the suggestions in this post, or if you have any favorite tips or recipes that you've used successfully, please share! We'd love to know that the information here is helpful and valuable to our readers.