Essential Oils: Immune System Disorders

Normally, the immune system produces white blood cells to protect the body from antigens such as bacteria, viruses, and an assortment of toxins that may harm the body. There are a number of things that can have a direct impact on your system, as well as when the immune system cannot distinguish between healthy body tissue and antigens, producing an unwanted response and attacking itself.

Essential oils have a remarkable ability to both support the immune system and increase one’s rate of healing. Some of these same essential oils are also powerful antiseptics. One way these oils fight infection is to stimulate the production of white corpuscles, a major part of the body’s immune defense. Still, other essential oils encourage new cell growth to promote faster healing.

Essential oils that are beneficial for the immune system include Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Rosemary, Tea Tree, and Thyme, just to name a few.

One important way to assist your immune system is a lymphatic massage with an essential oil blend. The lymphatic system is a complex network made up of capillaries, vessels, ducts, and lymph nodes. It plays a major role in cleaning up the space surrounding the body cells which contains the interstitial fluid. When blood supply goes through the capillaries, nutrients as well as harmful products in it are filtered out into the interstitium. The lymphatic system rounds up any dead cells, toxins, and foreign bodies in the interstitium and takes it back to the heart where it joins the rest of the circulation and any unwanted products are then excreted out of the body. Citrus oils such as Lemon and Grapefruit are especially good at stimulating movement and support the cleansing and detoxification process.

A lymphatic massage, using deep strokes working from the extremities toward the heart can be done by you.  Rub the blend up your arms toward the armpits and then down the neck. For legs, start at your feet massaging oil up your legs toward your groin and lymph nodes.

Essential oils such as Lavender, Rosemary, and Lemon are able to stimulate the body to produce white blood cells. Juniper Berry, Fennel, Lavender, Lemon, and Rosemary stimulate phagocytosis. Hormonal imbalance, toxin accumulation, sedentary lifestyle, stress, poor diet, and poor posture are other causes of lymph stasis with toxins that remain in the body. Complications include skin breakdown, chronic infections, and cellulite. Essential oils that can be used to decrease fluid retention and lymph stasis include Fennel, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, and Mandarin.

Chickenpox

Fever

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Colds/Flu

Coughs

Cystitis

Ear Infection/Otitis Media

Fibromyalgia

Lyme Disease

Shingles

Sore Throat/Throat Infections

Strep Throat

Influenza

Measles

Tuberculosis

Tonsillitis/Mononucleosis

Mumps

Urinary Tract/Bladder Infection