Sensitization

What is sensitization?
Sensitization is a reaction to a substance which had not previously caused an adverse reaction.  This can present as redness, itchiness, burning, welts, etc. on the skin.  It can happen on the first use, but it more likely after multiple usages.  A great example is that a gardener may not develop a rash the first time he contacts poison ivy (highly sensitizing), but the second time he contacts it, his skin reacts with significant rash.

How does sensitization occur?
If you use any substance for too long, at too high of a dose, or too often, you may become sensitized to that substance.  In aromatherapy, this usually happens with topical applications.  For example, if a mild essential oil, such as lavender or tea tree, is used undiluted or even at a high dilution (say 50%) every day for several months, the risk of sensitization becomes high.  If it is used rarely, undiluted, the risk of sensitization is low. If it is used highly diluted (less than 5%) on a daily basis, the risk is low.  Once a person has become sensitized to a substance, like an essential oil, that sensitization is a life-long problem, requiring avoidance of that substance.

Which Essential Oils cause sensitization?
Some essential oils, such as cinnamon bark and oregano are considered to be "highly sensitizing", that is, it will cause sensitization in the majority of people unless used with proper dilution and respect.  Some are "moderately sensitizing", others are considered "non-sensitizing".  Lavender and tea tree fall into this last category.  However, that does not mean they should be used daily, undiluted.  It means that with proper dilution, it is unlikely to cause sensitization.

How to prevent sensitization?
First of all, always dilute.  For "non-sensitizing" essential oils, diluting at 10% is reasonable.  This means 10 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil (such a coconut, avocado, grapeseed, or other fixed oil).  For highly sensitizing essential oils, some are recommended at less than 0.5%, which would translate to 1 drop of essential oil in 1 cup of carrier oil (as a rule of thumb).  One popular way to dilute essential oils for topical use is in a roller bottle.  In our lavender example, a 10% dilution in a 10mL roller bottle would mean 20 drops of lavender essential oil, then filling the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil.

Roller bottles are an inexpensive and convenient method of preventing sensitization.  Is sensitization still possible, yes, but has the risk been lessened, yes.

Nourishing Sleepwell Herbal Tea

Technically a tisane, this simple aromatic blend of two adaptogenic leaves and one soporific flower is both nourishing and might even help with sleep!

In a fine mesh strainer, combine 

1T. Holy Basil vana

1T. Holy Basil krishna

1T. English lavender flowers

Place strainer in a warmed teapot and fill the pot with boiling filtered water.  Let steep 5-8 minutes.  Remove strainer, pour tisane into a warmed teacup.  Inhale the aromatic steam and enjoy this nighttime beverage.

Three Pillars of Health: Sleep

Eat right.  Exercise. Sleep.

These three basic pillars of health are like the legs of a three-legged stool.  All three are needed to build and maintain health and each one affects the other two.  Eating poorly can affect exercise motivation and endurance, but it can also cause sleep problems such as lying awake with indigestion after a large meal.

Depending on the season of life, any or all of these factors can be out of balance, but the focus today is on sleep.

Aromatherapy offers safe and effective help for sleep problems.  Antianxiety essential oils can help calm the racing mind.  Sedative essential oils help induce sleep and promote deeper, more restful sleep.  Ideally, any essential oils chosen to promote sleep will have both sedative and antianxiety properties.  Some citrus oils, though they are antianxiety are also stimulating and have been shown to lessen sleep quantitiy!

An ideal method for introducing aromatherapy for sleep is the linen spray.

Help-Me-Sleep Spray

2 drops Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) 

4 drops Origanum majorana (Marjoram)

6 drops Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender)

10 drops Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile)

1 oz. vodka

1 oz. distilled water

Combine the above in a 2oz. glass spray bottle.  To use: Apply 2-3 sprays in the air over the bed at bedtime, or on bed linens earlier the day.



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References:

 Price, S., & Price, L. (2012). Aromatherapy for health professionals (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Teruhisa Komori, Takuya Matsumoto, Eishi Motomura and Takashi Shiroyama The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Valerian Inhalation and Sleep-Shortening Effect of Lemon Inhalation Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Medical Science, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan  http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/8/731.full.pdf

Time to Grieve Blend

Memorials, viewings, and funerals are times of great emotion with many people around.  Often, when the immune defenses are low, "insult is added to injury" with a cold coming on after the family has dispersed back to their own homes.

This blend is applied as a spray to be used as needed during these difficult times.  Since the blend contains antiviral essential oils and it is in an alcohol spray, it can also double as a make-shift hand sanitizer since out of town accommodations may necessitate packing quickly and lightly.


Essential oil blend:

• 2 parts Melissa - antiviral & calming
• 2 parts Frankinscense - calming
• 1 part Coriander - indicated for sadness
• 1 part Lavender - calming, antiviral, improves the scent of the blend
• 1 part Black Spruce - adrenal support for stress

Add 1.5mL of the essential oil blend to a 1 oz. glass bottle of vodka.  Cap with a sprayer, shake vigorously and label.



Resources

Price, S., & Price, L. (2012). Aromatherapy for health professionals (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.