Practitioners of yoga asana, of any style, are likely to be tuned into the world of alternative medicine. While many may have heard of aromatherapy and essential oils however, few are aware of what a fantastic healing synergy the oils have for the yogi’s body and mind. From relieving superficial soreness and healing deeper injuries, to boosting immune system function and warding off illness, to more esoteric actions of releasing emotional blocks and even stimulating the “third eye” — essential oils truly have much to offer the yogi of the West. In this first of a two part series, we’ll look at effectively managing pain and injuries to the soft tissues of the body.
One of the ideas of yoga practice is to make our physical bodies more healthy, energetic and aligned. Yet sometimes injuries occur — either as a result of our practice, other exercise or even simple accidents. Either way we’d like to heal them as quickly as possible, to get on with our practice as well as the rest of our lives. Essential oils have actually been successfully researched for their anti-inflammatory properties, as well as many other medical applications.
Perhaps the most important action needed for healing injuries to our muscles, tendons and ligaments is the reduction of inflammation. By reducing inflammation, all other regenerative processes can occur more quickly. Pain is also significantly reduced. So when creating a formula for topical application to injuries, we’ll select one or more oils known to be potent in this action. Some of the most popular and effective are ginger, frankincense and German chamomile. When you can find them, the “CO2” distilled oils of these plants are often the more effective inflammation reducers, and are highly recommended for this application.
To create a truly healing formula, the anti-inflammatory oils are blended with oils specifically to stimulate healing. The most effective of these is helichrysum, distilled from helichrysum italicum flowers grown in the Mediterranean region. Helichrysum is also highly anti-inflammatory and analgesic (in emergencies, it can be used “neat” at 100% strength to prevent bruising and such).
A fantastic, highly effective, formula would include the CO2 distilled oils of ginger, German chamomile, and frankincense and the steam distilled oil of Helichrysum. To make one ounce of the blend, add these oils to an empty one ounce bottle, then top it off with any seed or nut massage oil “base” (such as sweet almond or grapeseed — or any unscented body cream or lotion). Use 5 milliliters of helichrysum, 2 ml lavender, 1/2 ml each of ginger and frankincense. (You can reduce the helichrysum to 3 ml to reduce the cost of the blend, or instead use plai essential oil).
While helichrysum is considered the finest essential oil for healing of our connective tissues, muscles and even skin, its cost can be prohibitive. Plai essential oil, distilled from a root similar to ginger native to Thailand has recently been researched for similar effects. And if its even more pain relief you’re looking for, wintergreen can be an excellent choice (wintergreen should be used with caution — it is chemically equivalent to aspirin; it should only be used as needed and kept away from children). Marjoram, too, is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory action. If you need to forgo the helichrysum, try this recipe — for one ounce, use: 3ml plai, 2ml wintergreen, and 1ml each lavender and sweet marjoram.
You may find that one of these formulas works better for you than the other; it’s fun to experiment in this way. Creating your own blend tends to give you more insight into the medicine that essential oils really are, and will pique your interest to delve further into their healing potential. In the next parts of this article, we’ll look at other ways essential oils can support the health of the yogi. These include immune system function, and both physical and energetic cleansing, and even more esoteric applications. So crack open your first bottle of oil and enjoy!
For more on the therapeutic value of essential oils, and the many ways to employ these oils such as in aromatherapy and essentia oil diffusers, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.