Essential Oils and Surgery

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What are the risks of using essential oils before surgery?

When it comes to essential oils and surgery, there are two major questions that must be addressed. First, does the essential oil increase the risk of bleeding. Second, does the essential oil interact with any new medicines such as antibiotics or pain medicines. Let’s talk through both of these. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to make an educated decision concerning essential oils and surgery.

Let’s first talk about the risk of bleeding.

There is no definitive list of essential oils that increase the risk of bleeding. There are some oils that have either an actual or a theoretical risk of thinning the blood. This may lead to an increased risk of bleeding around the time of surgery. 

Likely of the most concerning essential oil when it comes to thinning blood before surgery is wintergreen. Wintergreen essential oil is comprised of more than 95% methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate is absorbed across the surface of the skin and may increase the risk of bleeding. You may choose to use caution before the time of surgery. This is especially true if you are on any blood thinning medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin®), aspirin, and others. There is debate on whether synthetic oil of wintergreen and natural wintergreen carry the same risk of bleeding, but until there is more conclusive data, I think it is reasonable to limit exposure to wintergreen essential oil immediately before surgery.

What about after surgery?

Depending on the surgery you may be prescribed a blood thinning medicine. This is especially common after joint replacement, intra-abdominal surgeries, and for less invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization (a ‘cath’).  It is reasonable to limit exposure to essential oils that may have blood thinning properties in this situation as well.

But, where is the list of oils to avoid?

I do not make firm conclusions on which essential oils carry a risk of bleeding because, in my opinion, the data is not conclusive enough to make a definitive answer. However, there is some evidence to suggest that essential oils of anise, basil, birch, cassia, cinnamon bark, fennel, lavandin, marjoram, myrtle, oregano, patchouli, ravintsara, savory, thyme, wintergreen and others may confer a risk of bleeding.

So what should I do?

In my opinion, the choice to use essential oils around the time of surgery is simply a matter of monitoring. If you can adequately monitor for the signs and symptoms of bleeding and blood clots, then you may use them. However, if this is outside of the scope of what you would like to do, then perhaps essential oils and surgery are not for you.  In this situation, you may simply choose to avoid essential oils for a few days before and after surgery.

How do I monitor for bleeding?

If you choose to use essential oils while on blood thinners, it is important that you are aware of the signs of bleeding so you can identify early when a potential drug-essential oil interaction occurs.  If you experience nosebleeds, blood in the sink after brushing or flossing teeth, bruises that are larger than normal or do not heal in a time frame that is normal for you, vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds, blood in the stools or black-tarry stools, contact the person who monitors your anticoagulation.

What about drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when one medicine or substance changes the activity of another when administered together. Many drug interactions occur in the liver, but may occur in almost any body system, in the blood, and on the surface of cells. This is why you must be cautious in choosing which essential oils to use while on medication pre- and post- surgery.

The list of essential oils that interact with liver enzymes are too numerous to name . Some of the most commonly named essential oils are wild mountain sage, brown and yellow camphor, lemongrass, blue chamomile, blue tansy, and yarrow. These have been show in vitro to interact with select liver enzyme. Some suggest caution with these essential oils even when applied topically, as they may cause drug interactions.

So what do I do about the new medicines I am taking?

Since there are so many medicines and so many essential oils, summing up best practices is exceedingly hard to do. Discuss with your pharmacist what the medicine is, how long you will take it, and what the side effects are.

Some medicine side effects will pass when you stop taking the medicine (constipation with pain killers, for example). Others are serious (bleeding and blood thinners, for example). Report these to a health care provider quickly. Ask your pharmacist which side effects will heal themselves with time, and which ones to report. If you use an essential oil and notice a new side effect arise, perhaps back off on the essential oil.

Discuss with your health care professional which medicines are taken regularly and which are as needed. Likely, it is very important that you adhere to your blood thinner medicines rather than essential oils after surgery to prevent potentially life threatening blood clots. Pain medicines, on the other hand, are only taken as needed. Limit your use of medicines as instructed by your health care provider, and you limit the risk of potential interactions with essential oils.

Bottom Line

In the end, when it comes to essential oils and surgery, it is important to discuss how high your risk of bleeding is with your physician and to be sure to monitor for signs of bleeding. Also talk with your pharmacist about the side effects of your medicines and be quick to report any potential side effects to your health care provider.

For more on essential oils and blood thinning medicines, check out this Blog Post!

References

Skin Benefits of Green Clay

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Spring is in the Air

I’m finally getting some warmer temperatures after months of seemingly endless winter. Spring is a great time to use a face mask to detoxify, clear, and nourish the skin. A bit of spring cleaning for your face, if you will. This mask features green clay, witch hazel, and the aromas of two different types of eucalyptus essential oils.

Green Clay… Why?

Detoxifying and Clarifying

Clay is naturally absorbent. This allows toxins and oils to be swept away.

Gently Exfoliates the Skin

The texture of the green clay provides a gentle exfoliation, helping to remove dead skin. This allows the skin to be more vibrant, brighter, and clearer. This also helps to clear pores and remove dirt and debris from the skin.

Nourishing to the Skin

When you apply green clay to the skin, you add a dose of trace minerals such as calcium, aluminum, magnesium, silica, phosphorous, copper, and zinc to your skin. This may be why wounds treated with green clay have a more rapid rate of collagen formation compared to wounds not treated with green clay.

Reduces Inflammation

When applied to skin infected with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the application of green clay helped reduce inflammation and redness.

Antibacterial

Clay minerals have natural antibacterial activity because they disrupt bacterial membrane function. They buffer the pH in water which promotes the uptake of iron into bacterial cells. High levels of iron degrade critical cells components.

The movement of iron across bacterial cell membranes also brings phosphorus. Phosphorus balance is critically important for the balance of iron uptake. When phosphorus inside the cell is too high, the regulatory role of phosphorus is disrupted and oxidized iron is allowed into the bacterial cell. The influx of oxidized iron causes cell death.

May Aid in Wound Healing

Because of the natural antibacterial properties, green clay has been used for generations on wounds.

One Tip for the Research Nerds Like Me

Oh, and for all you data-driven people who do research on PubMed, you will find no hits for Green Clay. There are, however, tons of hits for the moniker Illite Clay. Be sure to include this in your research strategy.

Here’s the Recipe

Clarifying Green Clay Face Mask

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place clay in a small bowl.
  2. Slowly add witch hazel until the mixture becomes a soft paste. If you go too far and get too liquid-y, add a bit more clay.
  3. Add essential oils and give one final stir.
  4. Store at room temperature for months in a glass jar.

To Use

Apply 2 teaspoons of Green Clay Face Mask to cleansed skin. Relax and allow mask to stay on skin for 10-15 minutes. Wipe off with a wet washcloth. Use once a week or as often as you like.

References

Let’s make a Coconut Lime Bath to sit in while the mask works it’s magic!

For Access to all of my natural oily education, You should also check out my book, Essentials: 75 Answers to Common Questions About Essential Oils And Supplements.

Seed Essential Oils for Spring

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Where Do We Get Essential Oils?

Essential oils can be captured from seeds, roots, flowers, stems, and leaves of plants. Today we are going to focus on essential oils derived from seeds and how they can be used during spring to foster growth. Most seed oils come from plants in the apiaceae family including cumin, fennel, caraway, coriander, and celery. Seeds ultimately are all about potential.

What is the Function of the Seed?

Seeds give life to plants and are responsible for reproduction. Furthermore, the seed pod protects the life within. They are protected and perfectly contained life forms. They also are vessels of faith that we plant and rely on to grow.

In aromatherapy practice, essential oils derived from seeds are used for emotional growth and releasing emotional trauma, especially those around birth and reproduction. They’re also great when you’re embarking on new projects, when energy feels blocked, or when your energy field needs protection.

Using Seed Oils in the Spring

Spring is the perfect time to use these essential oils because seed energy goes dormant in the winter and emerges with vibrancy with the warmer spring temperatures. Use them often to help manifest dreams, generate creative energy, and spring forth new potential.

To learn more on how essential oils can help you to master your emotions, check out this class.

You can also dive deeper by joining . Additionally, check out my book, Essentials: 75 Answers to Common Questions About Essential Oils and Supplements.

If you want to use more than just seed essential oils to perk up your spring, then this blog post is for you!

Favorite References

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Though some people think I have knowledge that just comes to me, the facto of it is that I have done tons of research, and I own a lot of reference books. My knowledge is a result of years of accumulation, and I have learned a lot from many different books, papers, writings, and studies. This list is in no way comprehensive, but includes some of my top favorite go-to references.

Here are some of my favorite reference books!

Essential Oils

Human Anatomy

  • Neuroscience by Sinauer Associates. The best description of the sense of smell I have ever read.

Emotions

Diet and Nutrition

Personal Development

  • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This impactful book is a guide to transforming your thoughts and actions to bring about positive change.
  • Strengths Finder by Tom Rath. Understanding your strengths can help you hone in on your direction, brand, and focus.

Yoga and Meditation

  • Aroma Yoga by Tracy Griffiths combines two of my favorite things: essential oils and yoga. This is a great book for beginners.
  • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda. This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga. 
  • Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook by Sukey Novogratz. I love this book because it offers simple steps to developing a meditation routine.

Have a favorite reference for me to check out, or have you read any of these? Comment below with your suggestions and opinions!