This is a guest post by Michelle H. Smith of Anti-stress and Pain. Always consult with a medical professional before starting any alternative medical treatment.
Despite the advances of modern medicine, there are some conditions that can not be cured. Epilepsy is one of them.
Sure, there are a number of pharmaceutical drugs available to reduce the instances and duration of a seizure but they don’t come without personal cost.
Long term use of epilepsy medications like Depakote, Dylantin, Phenytoin and Keppra can cause kidney failure and liver damage. With risks like these, it’s worth trying an alternative.
A viable alternative
There’s some controversy over the use of essential oils to prevent epileptic seizures. Without a doubt, some essential oils should be avoided if you have epilepsy. That doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be considered a viable alternative.
Aromatherapy is an age old natural remedy that has been used to address a number of health conditions. Topical application and inhalation of therapeutic essential oils make it a potent form of therapy because of the significant effect on the central nervous system.
Prior to a seizure a certain warning called an aura is often experienced. Applying certain essential oils topically or via aromatherapy may help to prevent the seizure from occurring:
- Chamomile
- Cedarwood
- Jasmine Jasmine officinale
- Lavender Lavendula officinalis
- Ylang Ylang
Exercising Caution and Care
Epileptics must be careful to avoid certain essential oils that are classified as stimulants and may cause a seizure. Research studies conclude that these oils may also counteract with certain medications and should be avoided by epileptics:
- Black Pepper
- Camphor
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Hyssop
- Nutmeg
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Spike Lavender or Lavendula latifolia (not to be confused with regular Lavender or Lavendula officinalis)
- Tansy
- Turpentine
- Wormwood
While these essential oils should be avoided due to their composition, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Jasmine, Lavender and Ylang Ylang have proven helpful.
My Personal Story
Many people who travel in alternative circles testify of experiencing a higher quality of life by using essential oils for epilepsy. My personal testimonial is among them.
I have a 9 year old little boy who began having epileptic seizures at 2 years old. He is currently on two different anti-seizure medications that have not been effective for any length of time.
I’ve learned quite a bit about alternative medicine including the use of essential oils for epilepsy over the years. Rubbing Cedarwood and Lavender essential oils behind his ears, up his spine and on his feet in combination with foot reflexology has shown some reduction in the number of seizures he was having.
Initially, I was consistent. Then sometimes I would get overwhelmed and forget. During the times of consistency, I noticed the seizures were few and far between. Back to consistency I go.
The reason I share my story is because while epilepsy for seizures are not a cure, they are certainly helpful at improving my son’s quality of life.
When facing any serious illness, it’s to your benefit to seek options and weigh the pros and cons of each. Essential oils are God’s gift through nature for a number of things that ail us. They should not be ignored.
About the author: Michelle H. Smith is a stress busting mom of a very special little boy with multiple disabilities. When she isn’t tending specifically to his needs, she’ll be found online helping others to bust the stress out of their own lives beginning with her Stress Less Recipe. Sign up for this free resource at http://www.antistressandpain.com/stress-less-recipe
