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

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Post tags: epilepsy medication, essential oils for epilepsy, seizure alternatives, therapeutic essential oils, use essential oils

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He’s the king of the castle, slayer of monsters, scooper of doggy doo…eh, maybe I should stop here.  June equals Father’s Day and what better way to celebrate dad, or that man in our your life, than with ways to add a little aromatic pleasure to his life.  When we talk about aromatherapy and treating ourselves to a spa moment, for some reason men are always left out. So, I’d like to talk to the men, and the women who have to force them to relax.

The truth is that even you men, in their own little way, enjoy being pampered.  I’m sure it goes by the name grooming or "cleaning up", but no matter how you refer to it, you have to take some time to care for yourself, just as much as you care for those you love.

Ways to Put the Shine Back In Your Crown
Here are some great aromatherapy tips to put that sparkle back where it belongs.

• treat yourself to an aromatherapy shave and facial
• get off your feet and put them into a soothing foot soak
• unwind with an aromatherapy massage
• turn your weekend into a spa get away

All great ideas right? Ok, here’s the hard part. You have to actually do them in order to for them to work. I’ve given you the ideas, now I’ll tell you how to you can make it happen on any budget.

First up, turn that everyday shave into an aromatherapy treatment.

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Post tags: aromatherapy, father's day

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This year’s 2010 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference keynote speaker was Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun.  In this, her “fourth career”, she is the Founder and President of Ambassador Organics, an organic food and beverage company.

She gave a really powerful speech on sustainability and our responsibility to the planet and each other. It is well worth the read and is available it in its entirety over at Essential U.

Thank you Kayla for bringing this speech to the rest of us!

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Post tags: 2010 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Annual Conference, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, sustainability

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The whole range of celebration of the New Year’s Day basically stems from the various ways ancient societies used to greet the new harvest seasons. In fact, it is the number of harvests, whether of fruit or grain, which determined how many New Years were observed. The origins of the customs that we think of as peculiarly associated with the celebration of the New Year, took roots in the ways the ancient peoples regarded the New Year.

Symbolically, New Year signifies a renewal of life. Hence, the spirit of celebration for the regeneration, while discarding the old and worn out. The customs and practices, though modified through the centuries, have still their distinctive strains in the ways we welcome each onrushing year.
It was the Dutch, in their New Amsterdam settlement at mid-17th century, who originated the modern American New Year celebration.

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Post tags: 2010, celebration, new year

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Shea Butter will provide improvement in all the conditions listed below. As you use this multi-purpose cream you are likely to discover additional uses. The amount of time required for optimum results with various conditions may vary with each condition. Wrinkles, for example, require 4 to 6 weeks of daily use. Itching is relieved immediately.

1. Dry skin

2. skin rash

3. Skin peeling, after tanning

4. Blemishes and wrinkles

5. Itching skin

6. Sunburn

7. Shaving cream for a smooth silky shave.

8. Small skin wounds

9. Skin cracks

10. Tough or rough skin (on feet)

11. Cold weather

12. Frost bites

13. Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy

14. Insect bites

15. Healthy skin

16. Muscle fatigue, aches and tension

17. For before and after strenuous exercise

18. Skin allergies such as poison ivy or poison oak

19. Eczema

20. Dermatitis

21. Skin damage from heat (hot grease while cooking, radiation treatment for certain medical problems, etc.)

WHO SHOULD USE SHEA BUTTER?

Everyone! Every household should have a jar of Shea Butter, either among the beauty supplies for soft smooth better looking skin, or in the medicine cabinet for minor skin injuries around the house. SHEA BUTTER IS THE SKIN’S BEST FRIEND™!

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here or elsewhere on this site is not intended to constitute professional medical advice for treatment. We encourage you to consult your personal physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Source – Shea Butter Institute

Related posts:

1. Wonderful Shea Butter

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Post tags: shea butter

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