Lupus is an auto-immune infection where the human being’s immune system attacks its own body tissues as it cannot recognize it as it’s own tissue. The body’s immune system gets hyperactive and gets on to attacking the normal and healthy tissues of the body.
To a more significant extent, the diagnosis is often seen in younger women, between the ages 15 and 44. Lupus is generally life-threatening.
Lupus is not a contagious/communicable disease. Most health experts believe that lupus results from both environmental stimuli and genetic reasons. It is now possible to manage this condition with some highly effective essential oils for Lupus.
In this condition, the immune system is not able to differentiate between the antigens and the healthy tissues, leading the immune system to direct the antibodies attack against not just the antigens but also the healthy tissues causing swelling and damage to them.
Making things even worse, symptoms of Lupus are often similar to conditions like thyroid problems or fibromyalgia. Considering natural ways to help fight against Lupus is something that will reduce the need for consuming prescription drugs.
While you should always talk to your health expert and should never abandon taking prescribed medications, several natural steps can help you – including the use of essential oils for Lupus.
Using essential oils will help you minimize the conventional treatment methods and will avoid the negative impact of its side-effects.
Types of Lupus
- Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) (also known as Discoid Lupus Erythematosus [DLE]),
- Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)
- Tumid lupus
Essential Oils for Lupus
1. CBD Oil
Why Does It Work?
Cannabis oil is an aid to relieve both inflammation and pain, provided the necessary conditions are in relation with Lupus(1). This essential oil helps by slowing down the overactive systems to calm down the immune system and bring to a healthy balanced state.
How to Use?
Using cannabis oil/tincture the drops under the tongue could be one way to use it as a cure for lupus, which will help in conditions like lupus nephritis and lupus erythematosus.
2. Frankincense Essential Oil
Why Does It Work?
Frankincense oil is said to have properties that support in the reduction of inflammation and the reactions of the immune system especially associated with lupus. Frankincense(2) also possesses a tremendous anti-inflammatory property. It is in use by applying a few drops to each foot.
How to Use?
This oil possesses an excellent property of being anti-inflammatory. This is in use for treating lupus symptoms like rashes and inflammation. In both the cases, massage of frankincense oil blended with any carrier oil like coconut oil will help tame the symptoms
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil for Lupus
Why Does It Work?
Tea tree essential oil is best known for its purifying properties. It is used to cleanse skin, nails and hair scalps.
It possesses properties that help soothe skin irritations and rashes. Using this oil combined with Almond oil as a combination can help cure lupus rash. Adding a few drops of Lemon essential oil to the mixture assists with prevention from scarring.
How to Use?
Adding in a few drops of tea tree essential oil to your bath will help against lupus rash and lupus inflammation. This oil possesses antiseptic properties which help combat infections and skin irritations.
[Read: Benefits of Tea Tree Oil]
4. Black Seed Essential Oil
Why Does It Work?
Black seed oil is extracted from a naturally grown plant called Nigella Sativa also commonly called black cumin seeds. The oil possesses antifungal, anti-oxidant and tumor-reducing agents.
How to Use?
The oil has excellent benefits for the skin. It can be used to treat skin rashes as it contains anti-inflammatory properties. Applying black seed oil onto the skin daily will help is calming down skin irritation caused due to the condition of lupus.
[ Read: Treat Lupus Successfully With the Help of Natural Remedies ]
Other Oils
In addition to the essential oils, you could also use carrier oils by themselves to help with your treatment, as these oils are easily available and could be used safely.
1. Coconut oil for Lupus
Why Coconut Oil for Lupus?
Coconut oil contains a high amount of saturated fats and is a senior source of myristic acid and omega- 5 fatty acids that are known to curb risks of cancer. The virgin variety of coconut oil is also said to have antifungal and antioxidant properties which play an essential role in reducing breast cancer risks.
They are also called as carrier oils, that are used to dilute potent crucial oils before being applied on the skin.
How to Use?
Essential oils like cannabis oil and frankincense oil are blended with a carrier oil like, e.g., coconut oil. This will reduce the concentration of the potency of the essential oils and will be mild on the skin when used for massage.
Women and Lupus
Lupus is an anti-immune and a chronic disease that affects both men and women. Women are prone to higher risk of other health problems like heart disease and osteoporosis which are common in women.
Women ranging from the age of 15-44 are more inclined towards the conditions of lupus. Some common health problems include; heart diseases- it raises the risk of heart disease called coronary artery disease.
It also causes inflammation or swelling which also increases the risk of this heart disease. The second common health problem being Osteoporosis- It is a condition of bone loss cause especially after the treatment.
Health experts suggest women with lupus not to get pregnant, as It would affect both the mother and the child. Women with lupus can just as easily get conceived as other healthy women. However, health experts suggest them to plan pregnancy only when the condition is under control.
Do’s and Don’ts
Always consult a health expert to determine what works best for you. It is imperative that you never ingest essential oils. Unnecessary and overconsumption of essential oil could be fatal. Topical applications and/ inhalations can help you reap the benefits of the oils and will help you control your condition, however, don’t use it too much as it could be dangerous.
Precautions
- Always use top-quality essential oils or therapeutic grade oil. It is as organic, and100% pure.
- Keep essential oils away from sensitive areas. Essential oils are considered as nature’s powerhouses as they are 40-50 times more potent than the plant it’s extracted from. Avoid using or applying essential oils to sensitive areas of the body, including the genitals or area near your eyes.
- Always test new oils to make sure there are no reactions before applying. A patch test is stilled visible, to check if the essential oil causes any redness or itching or any irritation.
- Never heat essential oils. What you may be not aware of is that boiling these oils ruins their healing characteristics.
Side Effects
Excessive use of anything could have a drawback, applies the same for essential oils. Always take advice from health experts to decide what is suitable for you and what will reduce the chances of side effects like allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Researches have shown that excessive use of essential oils like lavender and tea-tree has shown to have some hormonal-effects. It’s advised to avoid contact with essential oils.
Various conditions of lupus as mentioned above, do not have a permanent cure as of now. So, using the essential oils mentioned above will help one tame down the symptoms of lupus.
Essentials oils are the trending buddies for one’s health and wellness. Above mentioned essential oils can help one combat the symptoms of lupus. Keeping in mind the dos and don’ts, precautions and side-effects regarding crucial oils will hold one at bay from unwanted complications. Always visiting and consulting a health expert to know what’s best for your body is vital.
FAQs
1. Can lupus affect your eyes?
One of the several impacts/symptoms is the effect that it causes dark circles, inflammation around the eye, if left unchecked eventually, it could possibly cause death
2. Is lupus caused by stress?
Lupus is an auto-immune condition that is caused due to environmental factors and genetic factors and is no way a communicable disease.
3. Is Lupus is a form of cancer?
No, it is not, it is an autoimmune disease.
