Note from Jennifer: Today, we have a guest post from Becky Webb, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified herbalist, and amazing doula who is skilled in working with essential oils. We met through our NTP course earlier this year and have been BFFs ever since!
I asked her to pop over to help you learn more about another complementary holistic therapy.
In my home, we are absolutely addicted to the healing power of essential oils. There are essential oils that can aid any health struggle. These potent plant extracts can be very helpful alongside a Nutritional Therapy protocol to promote faster healing.
These 9 Essential Oils are helpful in healing the digestive tract and can complement any digestive healing protocol:
• Peppermint
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Caraway
• Lemongrass
• Clary Sage
• Marjoram
• Nutmeg
• Patchouli
Each one of the oils above has properties that can help you digest your food.
[Note from Jennifer: If you’d like an oil specifically blended for digestion, Digest by Vibrant Blue Oils is my #1 choice and created by a very skilled NTP.]
Note: Some of these oils may not be beneficial for everyone. For example, Clary Sage should never be used around pregnant women except at the onset of and during labor.
Find YOUR Perfect Oil
When purchasing essential oils, makes sure you buy 100% pure and organic oils. (where to buy)
I don’t recommend buying oils already diluted in a carrier oil. Essential oils do vary in price depending on how easy it is to extract them from the plant, but in the oil world – you get what you pay for.
Start by inhaling each essential oil to see if you find the scent pleasant. Then, do a little research. Look up the oil to see if it may help with any other health ailments that you may have.
If several oils appeal to you, click here to learn how to create your perfect blend.
The better it smells, the more likely it’s the right blend for you with the greatest therapeutic effects.
How to Apply Your Digestive Essential Oils
Extremely pure oils can be diffused throughout the home, ingested by taking a drop in a glass of water, and applied to the skin in a carrier oil such as coconut or avocado oil, or applied to the abdomen with a warm compress.
Note from Jennifer: Appling oils in a clockwise motion will mimic food’s natural path through the digestive tract. It assists transit time and the removal of toxins.
If you are ingesting oils, make sure that you use a brand and an type of essential oil that states it is safe to ingest. I recommend doing this 1-2 times a day until you see your digestion begin to improve. Be sure to not neglect the rest of your Nutritional Therapy protocol!
Digestive problems are one of the biggest health problems facing American culture today.
Healing your digestion is the first step to a healed body. Once you are digesting your foods and nutrients properly, your stomach can begin to supply the rest of your body with what it needs to thrive.
Have you ever used essential oils to aid in proper digestion?
Becky Webb is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, DONA-certified childbirth Doula, and a Family Herbalist. She is passionate about giving families the gift of vibrant health through nutrient-dense foods.
When she isn’t spending time with her husband and three small children, you can find her tinkering in her kitchen or with her nose in a book.
Keep up with her on her blog Rooted Blessings, Facebook, Google +, and Instagram.
DETOXIFICATION
IMMUNE SUPPORT
IMMUNE SUPPORT
THYROID SUPPORT
ADRENAL SUPPORT
HEALING RESPONSES
11 Responses
Thank you Becky. I’m confused by your “clockwise” diagram, though. L and R look reversed? Also, can you use the oils in a diffuser in your bedroom?
Hey Claudia! I created a mirror diagram to make it easy to follow when you are looking at the screen. I’ll let Becky answer you on the EO question.
Hi Claudia! Yes ma’am! I love using oils as a diffuser in my bedroom. I love to sleep with a peace and calming blend diffusing. Most diffusers do have a soft glow light so, as long as you don’t mind the light it is wonderful to diffuse at night.
I have been healing a bad case of SIBO/leaky gut for over a year and did not make much progress until I started using Young Living’s Digize, Peppermint, Ginger and Lemon oils. Digize and Peppermint being the top ones in helping and healing. I use one or the other everyday still with a break here and there for a day or 2. I would say I am already about 50% healed, maybe more and I have been using the EO’s for about 5 months now. There was progress right from the first application. I love EO’s! I diffuse quite a bit, mostly with the citrus, clove, peppermint oils and Thieves when needed.
That’s great Kim! Thanks for sharing the essential oils that work well for you. I love how many choices there are.
Oh I forgot, applying to the bottoms of my feet have worked tremendously with my stomach and keeping things moving.
Bottom of the feet are a very effective application point. It’s all I recommend for young children.
What oils would be best to use for chronic diarrhea??
I am interested in learning specific mixtures/techniques I can use for a condition similar to krohn s disease/possibly a misbalancement of bacteria on the gut; resulting in bloating, tiredness, and blood in the stool. So far following the ‘specific carbohydrate diet’ strictly has put the symptoms at bay for the mosy part, but has not ‘fixed the problems’. I have very little experience with EO and am looking for some tips 🙂
Chronic illnesses require a multidirectional approach, but the right essential oils can help. It sounds like you still need to adjust your diet before any true healing can occur. I suggest all my clients begin with the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol with a rotation diet. Even before supplements, this is a powerful combination that can often knock out most digestive symptoms.
If you have fatigue with compromised adrenal and/or thyroid function, then I suggest trying an increase of fats to 50-60% of your diet and increase of starches to support metabolic function. With the increase in fats, Gall Bladder Flow* essential oil can be very helpful. Digest* and digestive oils are most effective for intestinal gas in my experience. I use a product from Apex Energetics called Repairvite for mucosal and GI lining repair.
Compromised digestive function is often compounded by hormonal imbalances, so Hypothalamus* or Pineal Blend* can often help but I would suggest working with a practitioner before buying a medicine cabinet full of supplements that may or may not help. (*affiliate link)
Best of luck!