Neuro VP Paths & Oils Flashcards
NEURALGIAS
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Pain along a nerve pathway.
Variety of causes:
- Squeezing of a nerve eg Sciatica, along it’s pathway by obstruction or inflamed tissues
- A Virus eg Varicella in Shingles
- Toothache or sinusitis in Trigeminal neuralgia
Treatment varies depending on cause & site of pain
ANALGESICS in all cases (dermal lotion, oil, cream) ANTIVIRALS - Shingles (dermal lotion, oil, cream)
MUCOLYTICs, ANTIMICROBIALS - Sinusitis (inhalation)
Sciatica:
Black Pepper - Analgesic, Rubefacient
Bay Laurel - Analgesic, Neurotonic
Clove Bud - Analgesic, Antineuralgic, Rubefacient
Trigeminal:
Valerian - Analgesic, Sedative
G. Chamomile - Analgesic, Sedative, Anti-inflam
Peppermint - Analgesic, Rubefacient, Nervine
HEADACHES
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Causes & presentations vary - tension, cluster, migraine
Linked to stress, diet, dehydration, blood sugar/hunger, hormones, eyestrain esp PC use, side effects of meds, postural, sinus/catarrh.
ID possible triggers - symptoms, activity & food diary can help establish patterns.
Other more serious causes - HBP, meningitis, strokes, tumours etc.
Frequent headaches, changes in patterns & severe or sudden onset all need referring.
ANALGESICS - 1st
Also HYPOTENSIVES, CALMING/SEDATING, COOLING/REFRESHING, HORMONAL REGULATORS, DIGESTIVES, ANTISPASMODICS
Lavender True - Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Sedative, Hypotensive
Peppermint - Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Cooling
Melissa - Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Hypotensive, Calmative
MIGRAINE
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Triggers can be as headaches, w/ addition of climate, temperature & pressure changes, lighting & noise.
More common in women - hormonal link as often before a bleed.
* If migraine always on same side - prudent to see GP
* Caution needed as some become hypersensitive to smell - aroma can worsen symptoms, just 1 oil.
Unlikely to see a client during an attack (unless starts during treatment) but can advise home use.
ANALGESICS, VASODILATORS, HYPOTENSIVES, CALMATIVE/SEDATIVE, ANTIEMETIC if nauseous, HORMONAL REGULATORS
Peppermint - neat over hairline on occiput
Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Cooling
Lavender - neat on temples
Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Sedative, Hypotensive
Sweet Marjoram - warm compress on back of neck
Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Hypotensive, Vasodilator
EPILEPSY
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Some triggers for epilepsy sufferers - alcohol, artificial sweetners, refined foods, nicotine, pesticides, certain frequencies of flashing lights, stress,
Treatments aimed at stress relief can be helpful.
Any oils found pleasant and inducing wellbeing are good starting point.
NERVINES, CALMATIVE, SEDATIVE, TONIC to NS, EUPHORICS
Melissa - Calmative, Nervine
Lavender true - Sedative, Nervine, NS Tonic
Frankincense - NS tonic
(G. Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Neroli, Basil)
AVOID CAMPHOR RICH OILS - may trigger seizures in those prone
DEMENTIA / ALZHEIMERS
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Conditions of progressive brain tissue degeneration.
AT provides sensory stimulation - use of strong ‘familiar’ aromas - Florals, Food oils can trigger pleasurable memories & relieve emotional upset.
Adaptable client-centred approach - what works on the day!
Physiological presentations - pressure sores, varicose ulcers, infections, UTIs etc
1% only - reduce dose, time & areas of body covered - may be only hands!
* Clients may also lick hands so only use very safe oils!
Reduce stress = reduced incontinence, reduced sleeplessness etc.
Any EOs perceived by client as pleasant/inducing wellbeing are indicated esp:
NERVINEs, CALMATIVEs, SEDATIVES, TONIC for NS, EUPHORICs
Vapourising UPLIFTING ANTIMICROBIALS can be useful - prophylactic!
Rose - Antidepressant, Nervine, Sedative, Tonic to NS
Lavender true - Nervine, Sedative, AntiD, Tonic to NS, Antimicrobial, Vulnerary
Mandarin - AntiD, Calmative, Tonic for NS
(R. Chamomile also)
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
Condition where myelin sheath of nerve fibres is damaged.
Prognosis is variable & symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. Numbness, loss of sensation, visual disturbances, loss of function in limbs, UG, digestive systems. Stress can worsen condition.
Whole person approach important - treat immediate presentations on the day!
Supporting immune system & psychological support is good basis.
Dietary approach is beneficial - client should work with a nutritionist.
ANTIDEPRESSANTS, ANXIOLYTICS, IMMUNE STIMULANTS, CALMATIVES, GROUNDING OILS, CARMINATIVES, DIGESTIVES, RUBEFACIENTS, NS TONICS
Patchouli - AntiD, Nervine, Tonic NS & others, Digestive, Antimicrobial
Bergamot - AntiD, Immune Stimulant, Euphoric, Regulatory, Antiseptic
Lavender - AntiD, Antimicrobial, Nervine, Tonic NS & others, Immune stimulant
(Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Sweet Marjoram, Ginger)
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE / PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What is it?
What advice would you give a client?
What EOs would be appropriate?
What would you prepare and how would you advise them to use EOs?
There are various degenerative conditions affecting motor & nervous systems. essential oils have no direct effect on these conditions but therapeutic touch and the physical effects of massage on blood & lymph circulation, skin & muscle tone along with psychological effects can be profound. Muscular symptoms can include muscular wasting, lack of control - involuntary movements, tics, spasms, palsies. RUBEFACIENTS, TONICS, CALMATIVES, SEDATIVES may all be helpful for this.
Focusing on the client & their priorities on the day helps treat the client not the condition. May also have acute symptoms like colds, coughs, insomnia which can be helped!
Sweet Marjoram - Nervine, Antispasmodic, Tonic NS, Sedative, Circulatory Stimulant
Vetiver - Sedative for CNS, Rubefacient, Circulatory stimulant, Tonic NS & others
Jasmine - AntiD, Calmative, Tonic NS & others inc MS, Antispasmodic, Euphoric
