Essential Oils, Digestion & Gut Health
Over the last few weeks we have been reviewing the health benefits associated with Essential oils. Essential oils are beginning to grow in popularity due to people seeking natural methods to enhance their own wellness. I too have recently become an advocate of regular use of the oils. I have had a great experience using them and want to share what I have researched, learned by self use and included into my daily routines.
The article today is reviewing digestion and gut health, why it matters and some ways to help improve your gut health by using essential oils.
What We Digest and Absorb
You have all heard of or read the phrase "You are what you eat", well I like to advance this one step deeper to "you are what you eat, digest and absorb". What you are able to absorb is a reflection of how well your entire digestive system is functioning. Having awareness of factors that influence these processes, from the pH of your stomach acid, how well you chew your food, your choice of foods (gluten or other intolerances), pre-biotics, pro-biotics as well as many more factors beyond the scope of this article can all significantly influence your overall health and wellness.
Gut Health
What enters your digestive system quite literally shapes your gut health. The digestive tract is a centre for immunity and even neural processes. If the intestinal tract is not optimal, the whole body suffers. The problem we have is that everything about our society is moving us further away from optimal health, shifting the balance of bacteria in our guts toward processed foods, dangerous antibiotic-resistant strains, which is damaging our bodies from the inside out.
Raised on the belief that microbes are inherently bad, with products that proudly claim to kill “99.9%” of bacteria, we seem to struggle with the idea that bacteria can be – and usually are – good for you. To recap on what harmful organisms are read here
The National Institute of Health has proven that the human body actually contains trillions of microorganisms; literally outnumbering human cells 10 to 1! And what most people don't realise is that a major hub of microbial focus is in the gut.
Good and Bad Bacteria
It's important to understand that bacteria are most frequently our allies, because the way we approach bacteria ultimately determines how successful our attempts at wellness can be. Without beneficial bacteria to balance the bad strains, we are susceptible to intestinal damage, illness, mental and emotional stress, and so much more. The goal is not necessarily to kill all bacteria but rather increase the dosage of the good guys and help create an unfavourable environment for the bad guys.
Holistic Approach & Best Oils
With a focus on strengthening good bacteria, holistic options are available to us. This is where essential oils can be good for gut health.
Holistic refers to the body as a whole. Nutrition is a primary concern, improving the gut directly via the substances that come in contact with it – particularly with many meat sources relying on the misuse of antibiotics that may be retained in the meat itself. Cleaning supplies that do not eliminate beneficial bacteria are also important, as well.
As discussed in the article last week stress plays a role in gut health. A Harvard educational article describes this phenomenon as the “brain-gut axis,” explaining,
The enteric nervous system is sometimes referred to as a “second brain” because it relies on the same types of neurons and neurotransmitters that are found in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)… researchers are interested in understanding how psychological or social stress might cause digestive problems. Harvard Article
Essential Oils if you haven't heard, can help in all of these areas– from improving the intestinal tract directly, to cleaning up our cleaning products, to relieving stress. If you're ready to be good to your gut, get these oils:
- Thyme and Rose - In one study researchers found that the primary constituents of thyme and rose oil – thymol and geraniol, respectively – “could be effective in suppressing pathogens in the small intestine, with no concern for beneficial commensal colonic bacteria in the distal gut.” Can be used aromatically or topically using 2-3 drops of each oil in a diffuser or blended with coconut oil and massaged into the stomach region.
- Cardamom - Both anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, cardamom is a soothing oil related to the ginger family. It has been associated with many digestive health benefits, including gastro-protective effects. Add 3 drops of Cardamom and 1 drop of olive oil to an empty veg capsule and ingest with water.
Ginger Oil - Treats upset stomach and supports digestion. Ginger essential oil is one of the best natural remedies for colic, indigestion, diarrhoea, spasms and stomach aches. Ginger oil is also effective as a nausea natural remedy and to treat vomiting. Add 3 drops of Ginger and 1 drop of olive oil to an empty veg capsule and ingest with water.
- Clove - As an oil with some of the most eugenol, clove is an efficient antimicrobial that can counter Candida albicans overgrowth. Its effects against the yeast are effective to the point that an over the counter internal preparation is being studied using clove oil. Add 2 drops of Clove and 2 drops of olive oil inside an empty veg capsule to ingest.
- Oregano & Tea Tree - Both powerful oils individually and as a duo. Tea tree & Oregano essential oils are the case-in-point for antibacterial as a beneficial component, compared against harsher, synthetic or toxic antibacterials. Use in DIY cleaners to help stop the spread of viral illnesses without attempting to bleach away the good with the bad.
- Fennel - Used as a digestive stimulant in whole-herb form, the essential oil retains some of the soothing components for the gut as an anti-spasmodic, likely connected to the estragole content. Aromatherapy and diluted topical are very popular methods of use, but since estragole has been monitored for potential toxicity internally, some recommend against ingesting it.
The next few weeks
Follow the articles that will be published over the next weeks as I will be sharing content, educating and giving in depth reviews of many of the best researched and documented essential oils.
Stay tuned so you can begin to implement the practical use of all the oils I review, and follow us until the end of the campaign where I will be releasing an E-Book so you can take ownership of all the new information and share with your family, friends or clients to improve health for everyone.