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The Best Essential Oils for Autoimmune Support and Better Health

An image of two vials and cinnamon sticksIt has never been more important for you to support your immune system. Your immune system is responsible for protecting your body against infections and diseases. It impacts every circuit and organ in your body and is essential for your continued health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, conventional medicine doesn’t often look at ways to boost your immune system. Instead, it mostly addresses the symptoms and diseases that occur when things go wrong. This is too late. You need to act early if you want to stay healthy. That’s why you need to look to alternative remedies such as the most effective essential oils for autoimmune support.

What Are Essential Oils?

Before you start using essential oils for autoimmune support, you need to know what they are. Essential oils are made by extracting the aromatic compounds from plants. This can be done through mechanical methods like cold pressing or through distillation, which uses steam or water. Basically, whatever process is used, the aroma is extracted from the plant and added to a carrier oil. This is what you’re getting when you buy a glass bottle of essential oil.

Before you even start using essential oils, make sure that you’re getting what you paid for. Some oils are made using chemical processes, which means the actual oil is diluted with chemicals. This may increase your chances of reacting to the oil or decrease their efficacy. So, check the bottle before you buy it to ensure that your essential oil is 100% pure and safe to use.

Essential oils can be used for a variety of tasks including:

  • Natural remedies
  • Cleaning
  • Personal care products
  • Flavorings for food and drink
  • Emotional and mental support

They can also be used to help reduce the symptoms of some autoimmune processes.

These oils can be used in an aromatherapy diffuser, diluted with a carrier oil and applied topically, or in some cases ingested. However, it is not safe to ingest many essential oils. So it is critical that you do your research and talk to your doctor about your plans before you put anything into your body. While oils like peppermint or lemon oil can be quite safe, others can be very dangerous, so be careful how you take them.

The Dangers of Autoimmune Problems

When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system produces antibodies that attack the tissues and cells inside your body. This can cause tissue death as well as rampant inflammation and pain. Some common autoimmune diseases are:

  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Celiac disease
  • Multiple sclerosis

Modern medicine has no way to completely stop autoimmune diseases; you just have to learn to live with them. This is just one of the reasons why it’s so important that you identify any problems early and take steps to support the health of your immune system.

There is no one known cause for autoimmune diseases. However, they can occur because of chronic inflammation and ongoing high stress levels. There are also other contributing causes such as:

  • A poor diet
  • Ongoing or concurrent infections
  • High levels of toxins
  • Food intolerances
  • Gut issues that cause chronic inflammation
  • Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS)

Whether you have these issues or not, it’s important that you support your immune system. And you can do that gently and safely with some effective essential oils for autoimmune support.

Early Signs of Autoimmune Disorders

An image of a woman having shoulder painsIt doesn’t help much if you wait until you have a severe autoimmune disease before you take action. Because these issues are so strongly linked to stress, chronic inflammation, and toxic overload, you need to learn to identify the early signs of problems and take steps to avoid further escalation.

Some of the early warning signs of an impending autoimmune problem include:

  • Pain that has no apparent cause
  • Inexplicable weight gain
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Fatigue
  • Energy swings
  • Food allergies or intolerances
  • Sugar cravings
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Skin conditions like acne, rashes, or dry skin
  • Brain fog
  • Problems with concentration
  • Overreliance on stimulants like coffee for proper functioning

These are fairly common symptoms and can be caused by a variety of issues. That’s why it’s important that you get checked out by your doctor if you experience these symptoms on an ongoing basis. These symptoms can also be linked to AFS and adrenal fatigue, so if you’re still struggling to find a cause, then make sure you talk to a medical practitioner who's aware of this condition.

Adrenal Fatigue and Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are very common when you have AFS because of the involvement of the Inflammation Circuit. The Inflammation Circuit is part of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response. When you’re under stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol, which activates the NEM stress response.

The NEM stress response then causes changes in the body’s systems that increase your chances of surviving a physical threat. This response is very effective when you’re facing a predator. But when your stress is caused by things like environmental toxins, relationship problems, and work pressures, it can be very damaging. This is mostly because there's no real end to these stressors in the modern world.

The NEM stress response is designed to turn on and off in response to stress. But stress in the modern world tends to be chronic. As a result, cortisol levels remain high over a long period and the NEM stress response stays activated. This can cause adrenal fatigue, resulting in AFS and imbalances in the NEM stress response, as well as in the underlying circuits.

The Inflammation Circuit can quickly become unbalanced when you have AFS. This circuit includes the immune system, the gut, and the microbiome, so it’s strongly implicated in autoimmune diseases and other related problems.

Correcting this type of imbalance can be very complicated. Harsh remedies and strategies will just cause more stress, inflammation, and further degradation of the circuit. That’s where essential oils for autoimmune support can be helpful. They’re a gentle but effective way to naturally bring balance back to the Inflammation Circuit. They may also help to correct specific problems that occur in the Inflammation Circuit when you have AFS.

The Inflammation Circuit and Disease

When you have AFS, the Inflammation Circuit becomes unbalanced and starts to malfunction. The immune system becomes hyperactive and inefficient at the same time, resulting in more infections and diseases. Inflammation then becomes rampant, causing even more damage and further unbalancing the circuit and the NEM stress response.

The health of the gut also degrades, causing issues like leaky gut, digestive problems, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This causes even more inflammation and increases the activity of the immune system in response.

And finally, bad bacteria overwhelm the microbiome, the bacterial balance in the body. This causes infections, further inflammation, and more stress. As these three components degrade in health, the health and functioning of the Inflammation Circuit will go down. This causes even more stress and worsens AFS.

Imbalances in this circuit can contribute to autoimmune malfunctions as well. That’s why it’s important that you address these problems as soon as they appear, to avoid more serious issues that could impact your health for the rest of your life. And you can do this with essential oils for autoimmune support.

Essential Oils for Autoimmune Support

An image of a doctor talking to a patientFirst, it's important to note that you should never use alternative therapies as a substitute for conventional treatments. Always see your doctor first and get an expert’s opinion on your condition and its causes.

However, you can supplement more conventional treatments with essential oils for autoimmune support. They can be applied to the skin in a carrier oil, diffused in the air, or added to a bath. Just make sure that you follow the directions on the bottle or given to you by your healthcare practitioner.

Essential oils can help:

  • Address the root causes of the autoimmune problems
  • Manage your symptoms
  • Improve your sleeping patterns
  • Reduce the toxic load in your body
  • Improve your mood
  • Balance your hormones
  • Improve your digestion

All of these benefits will help return your body to a more natural state and reduce your stress levels, which will improve problems caused by a malfunctioning immune system.

How Essential Oils Can Help Autoimmune Problems

First, it is very important to consider the delivery method of your essential oils. Generally, using essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser is very safe. However, if you are using them topically they are less safe, depending on how they are diluted in a carrier oil and possible reactions you may have. And if you are ingesting them, they can actually be dangerous.

Many essential oils are not safe to ingest. If you plan to take any of them internally, it is critical that you research both whether the type of oil is safe, the safest dilution and frequency of use, whether the brand of oil is pure or distilled with dangerous chemicals, and then you must consider whether it is safe for you individually. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor first and discuss how you plan to use your essential oils as well.

Poor Gut Health

The gut is pivotal to the health of your body and to the functioning of your immune system. Fortunately, there are many essential oils that can help reduce inflammation in the gut, improve gut functioning overall, and help diminish autoimmune problems. These oils may also be effective in improving gut symptoms and problems experienced because of AFS. Some of the most helpful essential oils for this include:

  • Lavender
  • Frankincense
  • Tea tree oil
  • Ginger oil

Immune System Imbalances

There are also essential oils for autoimmune support that work more directly to help restore natural immune system functions. These include:

  • Frankincense
  • Turmeric
  • Copaiba

These essential oils may also be helpful for AFS as they could help encourage the unbalanced immune system to return to more natural functioning. This will improve the health and functioning of the Inflammation Circuit as a whole.

However, you will need to be careful when trying these oils as they may boost immune system activity. If you have AFS or other conditions that cause immune system hyperactivity, this will only worsen your symptoms and the underlying problem.

Skin Conditions

Skin conditions and problems like eczema and psoriasis are another common sign of autoimmune problems. Essential oils that can help calm skin conditions include:

  • Lavender
  • Patchouli
  • Melaleuca
  • Laurel leaf
  • Yarrow Pom
  • Cinnamon

These oils won’t directly impact the Inflammation Circuit. However, they may help to lower inflammation overall throughout the body, calming the immune system and encouraging a more natural Inflammation Circuit balance.

Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes pain and swelling in joints. The additional inflammation from this disorder can be devastating for your adrenal glands, causing stress which can cause or exacerbate AFS. Essential oils which can be used topically to help manage the symptoms of this condition include:

  • Wintergreen
  • Peppermint
  • Copaiba
  • German chamomile
  • Juniper berry
  • Fir needle
  • Eucalyptus

Viruses

An image of a virusWhen your immune system is malfunctioning, whether it’s because of AFS or autoimmune disorders, you’re more likely to suffer from colds and the flu. Your body may also struggle to get rid of the infection as well, which means that you get sicker for longer. Certain essential oils can help support your body and cut down on the length of time you’re sick. Try oils like:

  • Cajeput for its antiviral effects
  • Cinnamon leaf
  • Citronella
  • Eucalyptus
  • Ginger
  • Geranium

Stress

Stress is a major cause of autoimmune disorders and AFS. Certain essential oils can help promote relaxation and decrease certain problems that can cause or contribute to high stress levels. These essential oils for autoimmune support are even more important if you have AFS, as stress relief is one of the most vital steps to returning to good health.

To reduce stress, try:

  • Clary Sage to help reduce depression, insomnia, or anxiety
  • Lavender to promote calm and better sleep
  • Geranium
  • Laurel leaf
  • Patchouli
  • German chamomile
  • Roman chamomile
  • Juniper berry

Are They Safe?

Essential oils are generally considered safe. However, they can have varied effects on your body, so you need to be careful. Many oils are NOT safe for consumption and some might need further dilution depending on the concentration of the oil. Consult your doctor before you try any oils.

Also, try to avoid those that will cause further inflammation or increase the activity of the immune system. This will also make autoimmune diseases worse! Some oils that boost the immune system and should be avoided or used carefully include:

  • Fennel
  • Thyme
  • Clove
  • Cinnamon bark
  • Frankincense

However, this can vary depending on your individual needs and condition. So, make sure that you consult with a doctor or alternative health practitioner to determine the best essential oils for you. This is especially important if you have AFS, as your body may be oversensitive and react badly to the oils or experience the opposite effects to those you're hoping for.

The Takeaway

Protecting and boosting your immune system is absolutely essential for your continued health whether you’re healthy, have AFS, or experience other chronic conditions. If you’re thinking of trying some essential oils for autoimmune support, this is what you need to know:

  1. Talk to your doctor before trying essential oils to ensure that they don’t interact with your condition or medication.
  2. Make sure that you are using pure essential oils, and that your method of delivery, dilution, dosage, and frequency of use is safe. Most oils should not be ingested.
  3. Stop taking the essential oils immediately if you notice any side effects.
  4. Try oils that help with specific problems or an all-over remedy for autoimmune support such as Matrifix I.

For more information, click the banner below or call +1 (626) 571-1234 to talk to one of our team. You can also send us a question through our Ask The Doctor system by clicking here.

© Copyright 2021 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.

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