Cancer is a word that strikes fear into everyone. After the tests have been done and the wait for results has begun, anxiety, stress and fear are all coursing through the body. There is a fear of the answer, yet a fear of the unknown.
Cancer Diagnosis
Once doctors give patients a cancer diagnosis, they will then suggest various options for treating that particular type of cancer. The patient will feel overwhelmed with so many different thoughts, emotions, questions and feelings and they are often overwhelmed and do not understand everything that is said.
Essential Oils and Emotional Well Being
While the doctor’s job is to look after the cancer, it is the patient’s job to look after him or herself. This is where essential oils can come in. According to the National Cancer Institute, “aromatherapy is used by patients with cancer primarily as a supportive care agent for general well-being” (“Aromatherapy and Essential Oils”, National Cancer Institute,). In other words, cancer patients use aromatherapy and essential oils to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
Preparing for a Cancer Doctor’s Appointment
Before going to an appointment with a doctor, try to get a good night’s sleep. To do this, add 10 drops of Lavender essential oil to a warm bath. Then put 5 drops of Lavender essential oil onto a tissue and tuck it into a pillowcase before going to sleep. On the day of the appointment put a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil and Grapefruit essential oil on a tissue and tuck into a shirt sleeve or keep it handy to help with clarity and anxiety.
Aromatherapy Recipe for Fear
Sandalwood has been used in the spiritual sense to help prepare for whatever is coming next. This oil helps to release fear of the unknown, to come to terms with what has happened and to help make peace within.
Try this aromatherapy recipe in a bath, in a massage oil, or through inhalation.
3 mls of Sandalwood essential oil
2 mls of Myrrh essential oil
3 mls of Geranium essential oil
2 mls of Frankincense essential oil
Essential Oil to Treat Symptoms and Side Effects of Cancer
Using essential oils to treat the symptoms and side effects of cancer and cancer treatment will be discussed in future articles. For example, according to Aromatherapy author Patricia Davis, "a very valuable use of Niaouli essential oil is in conjunction with radiation therapy for cancer”. Applying Niaouli essential oil to the skin can protect against burns. (Aromatherapy An A-Z, 1998, pg 226-227).
It has been said that Cancer is a word, not a sentence. No matter how the patient feels about his or her diagnosis, fear and anxiety are inevitable feelings. Use Lavender essential oil and Sandalwood essential oil to relieve anxiety and fear, and to promote relaxation.
Lavender Essential Oil
|
