Treat flu symptoms with essential oils

Good afternoon,

We’ve all been hearing plenty about the flu going around. Well, last week we actually got it.  We did not have it absolutely confirmed that it was H1N1, but we did have the main symptoms — muscles aches and fever.

Although we did have the flu, it really was not that bad — thanks to the oils.  In fact, we found them to be very effective in reducing symptoms and getting over the bug quickly.

There are three main ways we used our essential oils:  rubbing on the feet, with moist hot packs on the back and chest, and through a diffuser.
Especially effective seemed to be the use of the moist hot packs.

When my husband came down with the bug, he was determined to get over it quickly, so he had me applying Thieves, Eucalyptus Blue, Oregano, Copaiba, and Peppermint several times a day along the spine, followed by about twenty minutes of relaxation with warm, moist heat on the area.  This approach had a significant impact on his fever, bringing it down every time we applied it.  It worked so well, he was able to shake the fever in just about a day’s time.

This whole experience reminded us that while using essential oils will not make you “bullet-proof” when it comes to sickness, it does equip you with what you need when sickness sets you back.

A mainstay of the oils when it comes to addressing flus of all kinds is Thieves, because of its antiviral and antibacterial  properties.

Stay well!

Laura Bostrom

Family Essential Oils

To purchase Thieves, go to Young Living.com Use member #973559

Essential oils at medical assistant conference

The Michigan Medical Assistant Association hosted its Fall conference in Dearborn MI this past weekend.

I had the honor of presenting the topic: An Introduction to Essential Oil Use in Primary Care Medicine.

The talk went well and focussed on:

• defining an essential oil
• how essential oils are produced
• the importance of therapuetic grade essential oils for medicinal use
• indication for lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and wintergreen essential oils
• two cases studies: one on MRSA and the other IBS

All in all we covered the basics.  Information was research supported.  And audience acceptance was good – lots of questions.

For more information on the conference lecture/material,  I would like to share it with you.

Send me an email.

Anal warts in homosexual men

Anal warts (condylomata acuminata) are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV).  The virus needs  1-6 months incubation before manifesting warts and two years are required for the body to clear the infection.

Risk of infection increases with multiple partners and lack of condom use.

In men having sex with men (MSM), anal warts occur with and without HIV infection but incidence in higher in HIV infected men.

Some types of HPV infections raise the risk of anus malignancy while recurrent infections in HIV positive men is associated with squamous cell carcinoma.

Diagnosis is made by clinical examination (picture of anal warts) and by history.  Patients may report anal burning, tenderness, bleeding or itching.   Anal intercourse or passing stool may be difficult.  An anoscope can be used to examine internal anal tissue.

An anal Pap smear should be done using Dacron swab saturated with water and inserted into the anus about 2″ reaching the rectal wall then swirled as it is removed catching anal tissue cells.  The swab is placed in Thinprep container.

Treatment includes acetic acid topical application, cryotherapy or surgical excision.  Also, see algorithm for treatment.

Currently, there is no approved vaccination for HPV in men.

Loss of Smell Causes

People who lose their sense of smell may joke that it sometimes serves as a blessing but realistically loss of smell can be bothersome and certainly reduces the joy of flavorful food.

Here are some more common causes of loss of smell:

• allergic rhinitis/ nasal polyps / sinus infection: are the most common cause of smell distortions
• viral rhinitis / head colds: may damage the smell sensors in the nose and more proximal nerve paths.
• old age
• head trauma: damage to the nasal structures including the olfactory nerves and receptors.
• influenza:
• Parkinson’s disease: may also notice shuffled gait, blank or flat emotional affect, history of falls especially forward and tremors.
• Alzheimer’s disease: symptoms also include loss of memory, decreasing ability to take care of check book and finances, irritability and difficulty finding words.
• Sjogrens syndrome: may notice dry mouth, dry eyes, and poor taste (salt, sweet, bitter, sour).
• toxins: for example – tobacco smoke, ammonia, benzene

So if you have a change or loss of smell,  see your physician who may order further testing to rule out secondary causes or refer you to a otolaryngologist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the carpal bones below and the flexor retinaculum (transverse carpal ligament) above (the “roof”). The contents of the carpal tunnel include finger flexor tendons and the median nerve.

CTS can result from any mechanism which compresses the median nerve – inflammation or tumor. Diabetes, hypothyroidism and pregnancy may also be associated with carpal tunnel problems.

Typically, however microtrauma from repetitive finger or wrist flexion movements is the causative factor. Occupations prone to CTS are factory work and typing.

Symptoms include: numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand especially toward the thumb or index finger. In severe cases, the thumb muscles become weak and decrease in size.  Often, people will report waking at night needing to “shake their hands out” to relieve numbness.

Besides the history, special tests in the focused physical exam include:

• Phalen’s test (most helpful): the patient places the dorsum aspects of each hand together with the wrists flexed and brings the hands to the chest. Hold for 30-60 seconds asking for subjective complaints of numbness, tingling or pain.

• Manual compression of the median nerve: place thumb on the median volar wrist crease and press firmly holding from 10-20 seconds. Positive sign is symptom reproduction.

• Tinnel’s sign.

Diagnosis is made from history and physical. Occasionally a nerve conduction velocity or EMG test is performed to judge extent of nerve damage.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome includes

• NSAIDs

• Ice packs 10-15 minutes for acute inflammation

• Bracing:  Should contain a metal stay used maintain the wrist in 30 degrees of extension -to be worn at night while sleeping and during activities of daily living or work which aggravate or contribute to the CTS symptoms (e.g. typing)

• Exercises:

  • Nerve gliding¹: Use heating pad on the wrist for 15-20 minutes then make a fist, extend fingers, extend wrist, supinate forearm, extend thumb. Repeat 5-10 times.

  • Wrist extension strengthening: Rest the forearm on the

    

    Extend the wrist upwards.

    thigh (or a flat surface) with the hand beyond the edge of the surface, palm down, holding a light weight (1-3 lbs). Extend the wrist (against gravity) 10 times. Continue sets of 10 until the forearm muscles  fatigue.

• Corticosteroid injection

• Mechanical traction²: a relatively recent showed that a mechanical carpal ligament traction unit was effective at relieving a substantial amount of numbness, tingling, and pain due to median nerve entrapment after four weeks of therapy.

With conservative management, expect 4-6 weeks for improvement. If no improvement or if symptoms worsen, consult surgeon for consideration of a carpal tunnel release.

In determining risk versus benefit of surgery, up to 20% of patients report recurrent symptoms. Most failures are due to incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament.

Resolution of symptoms is to expected from 6 weeks to 6 months.³

Return to work and activities of daily living is dependent on restoration of full range of motion and strength. Strength testing includes objective grip and finger pinch strength testing via dynamometer. Pain levels should be monitor but not be used as the sole basis for return to work.

References:

1. Essential of Musculoskeltal Care 3^rd Edition, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, pg 325.

2. New carpal ligament traction device for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome unresponsive to conservative therapy. Porrata H. et al., Journal Hand Ther 2007 Jan-Mar;20(1):20-7; quiz 28.

3. CTS: Postoperative Care and Complications, Wheeless Orthopedic, www.wheelessonline.com

Jesus Heals a Fever

We read about the greatest healer of all time – the Lord Jesus Christ – in Matthew chapter 8.

He entered  Peter’s house and upon seeing Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever, He touched her hand and the fever left.  Immediately, she went and waited on Jesus.  He then healed those who were possessed with demons and those who were ill.

I particularly like the reaction of Peter’s mother-in-law.  She demonstrated her gratitude and her renewed strength by serving the Lord.  Too often our tendency after receiving the gift of healing is to serve ourselves first or to forget the Lord.  The Bible gives us an example of this when only one of the ten lepers healed by Jesus returned to thank Him.

Let us remember the Lord Jesus when we experience physical healing afterall the healing comes from Him.

Alkaline Phosphatase elevations

Although its role in human physiology is cloudy, alkaline phosphatase is an enyme which is tested to evaluate liver function.   Since the liver is not the only organ containing alkaline phosphatase, other systems can emit this enzyme during pathological processes or normal growth (in case of children).

Elevated alkaline phosphatase (2-3 x the upper limit of normal or higher) may be an indication of disease or dysfunction in the body.

Here are some examples:

Liver:

• obstructed gall bladder
• fatty liver disease
• alcoholic hepatitis
• drug toxicity
• liver cancer
• liver cyst

Bone:

• Paget’s disease
• bone cancer or metastasis
• osteomalacia

Endocrine conditions:

• increase thyroid or parathyroid activity

Drugs can also increase alkaline phosphatase including some examples:

• carbamazapine
• erythromycin
• allopurinol
• estrogen

For increased alkaline phosphatase, a complete history and physical examination is needed to determine the cause.  Other testing may be needed including imaging of the gall bladder,  liver, bones or thyroid and further lab testing:

Liver function testing

• AST
• ALT
• GGT
• albumin
• prothrombin time
• bilirubin

thyroid testing:

• TSH
• free T4
• thyroid antibody

parathyroid testing:

• calcium
• vitamin D levels
• parathyroid hormone (PTH)
• phosporous
• albumin

Therapeutic Essential Oils

The importance of therapeutic essential oils
I regularly mention the priority that must be given to therapeutic essential oils.

Here’s a big reason why. . .

Even though it’s becoming more popularly known that essential oils are capable of providing many health benefits, the vast majority of oils produced are not therapeutic in their composition.

Over 95% of the oils that are commercially available are for flavoring food or providing a fragrance. They are not therapeutic grade essential oils.

Why is this significant?

Because you can only count on therapeutic essential oils to give you the health benefits that you hope to find in these powerful molecules.

Therapeutic grade essential oils are also important for your safety.

Genuine therapeutic oils are safe whether they are inhaled, applied to the skin, or even ingested. The same cannot be said for these applications when essential oils that are not therapeutic grade are used.

What is a therapeutic grade oil?
In his book Chemistry of Essential Oils, David Stewart gives a good description of a therapeutic essential oil. There he states that a therapeutic grade essential oil is. . .

“one that is specially distilled from plants that are cultivated organically or grown wild in a clean environment. Plants should be from the proper botanical genus and species. No chemical fertilizers are added to the soil, and crop cultivation is free of herbicides ad pesticides. Essential oils should be extracted by steam distillation at minimum temperatures and pressures, as was done in ancient times. No chemical solvents are to be used in the extraction process.”

From this definition, there are several elements that are necessary to the production of a quality therapeutic essential oil.

• First, there needs to be a good plant grown in healthy soil according to organic growing methods.
• Second, the plants must be patiently distilled by means of the best steam distillation procedures.
• Third, the purity of the extracted oil must be maintained by avoiding the use of solvents and assuring its quality by analysis with gas chromatography and a mass spectrometer.

It’s only by carefully producing therapeutic oils in this way that they can deliver their healing benefits. This is because it’s only through this process that all the vital constituent parts of the therapeutic oil can be secured.

Beware of impostors
Because of the growing demand for essential oils, there is a temptation for unscrupulous businesses to profit from them. As a result, the unsuspecting consumer thinks she may be getting a good deal on a healing oil that will help her or her family, when in fact the oil she has purchased has no therapeutic value — and may even cause harm.

Let me give you a couple of examples. . .

Frankincense is commonly available due to its sacred history. The bottle you find containing the frankincense may even say “pure frankincense” on it, giving the impression of a high quality oil. But just about all these products have been heavily diluted. They may have about 5% – 10% frankincense in them, but the rest is an inexpensive solvent (usually a petrochemical).

Lavender is an oil that many people know has been used to heal burns. But much of the lavender oil at health food stores is not therapeutic grade. In fact, some of it has been adulterated with a hybrid lavender called “lavandin” which can actually bring further burning to the skin when used to bring relief.

All this to say, you need to be assured that you are truly dealing with a therapeutic essential oil. You need to be confident that the quality has been maintained through the whole process of production, from planting to harvesting to distilling to analyzing and even to bottling.

About the only way to have this assurance is to be able to trust the supplier of your essential oils.

article by:

Laura Bostrom

Family Essential Oils

Health News

A recent study found that lowering triglyceride levels in diabetes can decrease the risk of peripheral neuropathy and amputation.

A study at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor found that nerve density decreased over time in diabetic patients with neuropathy.  Two factors associated with nerve loss were:

• decline in nerve conduction velocity (a diagnostic test for nerve conduction)
• triglyceride levels.

Since peripheral neuropathy can lead to hospitalization and amputation, finding a solution to improving nerve conduction is important.

Further investigating found that decreasing triglyceride levels with medicine (fenofibrate) decreased the risk of amputation.

For diabetics with high tryglycerides, this is good news and can be a point of discussion with your family physician.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common condition seen by gastroenterologists.

It affects women more than women but equally affects the young and old.

Symptoms include:

• abdominal pain and cramping

• bloating

• diarrhea or constipation or both

• nausea or vomiting

• increased gas (belching or flatulence)

Keys for diagnosis:

• above symptoms for more than 3 months

• trigger by stress

• triggered by some foods

• symptoms relieved with bowel movement

Treatment:

• identifying and decreasing life stressors

• trigger avoidance

• increase water and fiber intake

• peppermint essential oil (to decrease bowel spasm)

• medicine

  • Imodium (for diarrhea)

    

    Stress

  • milk of magnesia (for constipation)

  • simethicone (for gas)

  • amitriptylline (for pain)

Potential triggers of IBS

• alcohol

• artificial sweeteners

• caffeine

• legumes (which increase gas production)

• dairy (IBS may have association with lactose intolerance)

• narcotic pain medicine (constipation IBS)

• sedatives (constipation)

• laxative stimulants (diarrhea)

If symptoms wake you at night, over the age of 60 at onset of symptoms, fever, blood in the stool (bright red blood or black stool), or family history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer then see a physician ASAP to asses for other causes of symptoms.

Otherwise a routine visit to the family physician should elicit an accurate diagnosis.

Member # 973559