Summary
Overview. High blood pressure is
the most common cardiovascular health concern in our time.
As the heart muscles contract and relax pumping blood
through the arteries pressure builds and subsides in the
cardiovascular system.
The contraction phase of
the heartbeat cycle is called the systole and the relaxation
phase is called the diastole. Hence comes the terms
many have become familiar with systolic and diastolic
pressure. These two numbers are usually given
together, the first being the systolic pressure indicating
the pressure created as the heart contracts then followed by
the diastolic pressure as the heart relaxes. (Illustration
courtesy of the National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
The
agreed on norms for blood pressure are:
·
Normal: Less than 120/80
·
Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89
·
Stage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159/90-99
·
Stage 2 high blood pressure: 160 and above/100 and above
Many times there are no symptoms as blood pressure
increases but warning signs for very high blood pressure can
include chest pains, confusion, headaches, ear noise or
buzzing, irregular heartbeat, nosebleeds, tiredness, or
vision changes. Hypertension can be exacerbated by a
combination of factors including smoking, being overweight,
inactivity, too much salt, alcohol consumption, stress,
aging, genetics, chronic kidney disease, adrenal or thyroid
disorders. Some medications may increase blood
pressure as well. In many cases a cause will not be
determined and this is described as essential hypertension.
How Oils Can Help. Because the root cause of hypertension
can be so varied or unknown it is impossible to find one
protocol that addresses every situation. Those that
have been successful have selected oils and/or blends from
the following list mixing them with a
carrier oil and
consistently applied them topically at least three times a
day. Key points for application have included the
feet, the wrists, over the heart, on the carotidal arteries,
and to the back of the neck and in some cases other
reflexology points.
The following is a good list of those most often
mentioned: cassia, frankincense, helichrysum,
lavender, lemon, marjoram, and ylang ylang essential oils and
blends of Balance, Citrus Bliss, and
Serenity.
This application of oils has been coupled with
eliminating tobacco, alcohol, excessive salt and other
products know to increase blood pressure. Further, for
those most successful, habits of exercise and good diet have
been added to daily routines.
A Stage 2 Experience
The following experience from Rob James gives a great
summary how he used essential oils for a Stage 2 high blood
pressure experience.
So Am I an Expert on Hypertension?
I’m not a doctor, but I did suffer a massive hemorrhagic
stroke in 2006. It nearly killed me and I’ve become very
acquainted with HBP, its causes, diagnosis, and prevention
ever since. My stroke was caused by moderately high blood
pressure in combination with a rare condition of my adrenal
gland that causes occasional spikes in blood pressure. I had
such a spike in June of 2006 that shot my systolic reading
to well over 200.
The question of high blood pressure and using essential
oils to control it is like walking a tight wire for several
reasons:
·
High blood pressure is a serious
condition. If you have HBP you are likely working
toward future heart disease, you are probably playing
Russian roulette with the possibility of stroke, and
diabetes is already a concern or right around the corner.
·
Serious high blood pressure is
something that you should be seeing your doctor about and my
experience is that if it is elevated to a dangerous level,
you need medication like Beta blockers, or Ace inhibitors.
These can have serious side effects, but the
alternative is even more dangerous.
·
Since there are many different root
causes, types, and conditions surrounding hypertension it is
nearly impossible to identify one or more essential oil and
say that “this is the oil” that can help with hypertension.
In fact, I left rehabilitation with prescriptions for 8
different medications to regulate and normalize my blood
pressure, and I now take just one.
I attribute my efforts to get off
prescription medications to:
1. Weight loss and dietary changes
2. Exercise
3. DoTerra’s Life Long Wellness supplements
4. No more table salt or high sodium
products and a reduced use of only sea salt or whole mineral
salt.
5. Daily use of an essential oil protocol.
I would highly recommend that any one with elevated blood
pressure use all of these efforts, modifying the essential
oils if necessary for their personal optimal benefit. The
essential oils that I use may not be what will be best for
someone else.
This still leaves many things that a person can do to
help their hypertension. The dangerous thing about our
society today is that many people have a lifestyle and
habits that they are unwilling to change in the name of
health. They would rather “take a pill” than make a change.
I know people that are diabetic or borderline diabetic but
still drink outrageous amount of soda pop, or diet soda pop
that can raise A1c levels (A1c test indicates a person’s
average blood glucose level over the past few months) even
more! You must decide to make necessary changes in your life
style if needed.
What I can recommend:
As a long time essential oil user,
and as someone that depends on essential oils to control
my hypertension I recommend:
1. Make dietary and exercise changes in your
life that make a healthy body a priority. This may take
time, for some… years. But it is by far the best step you
can take towards normalized blood pressure. There are many
sources that can teach you foods that are best for elevated
blood pressure. Take advantage of these. If you smoke or
drink alcohol, stop. It’s one of the worst things you can do
for elevated blood pressure. Remove high fat, fried, high
fructose corn syrup products and carbonated drinks
completely from your diet.
2. Exercise daily. Park a few blocks from
work. Get a dog and walk it daily. Go for a walk with a son,
daughter or spouse every night after dinner.
3. Use doTerra’s
Life Long Vitality supplements daily.
4. Use a reduced amount of quality sea salt
or whole mineral salt for seasoning foods.
5. Find essential oils that
are effective at reducing high blood pressure for YOU. This
will take testing, and patience. You need a BP cuff. You
should have one anyway. As you try a new essential oil or
blend, take your BP before and after in varying intervals.
Try 5 min, 1 hr, 8 hrs and 16 hrs. Try applying oils hourly,
every 8 hrs and every 24 hours. Keep a record of your
results.
The Oils I Use:
The following are a list of essential oils that have
historically been used to help regulate high blood pressure.
There are also some “blends” that some have found successful.
And finally, I’ve included the blend that I personally use
with success, again keeping in mind that the causes of my
hypertension (adrenal) are considered rare.
Single Oils
Ylang ylang
Clary Sage
Marjoram
Lavender
Helichrysum
Lemon
Blends
Balance
Serenity
Citrus Bliss
Rob’s Blend
6 drops ylang ylang
6 drops helichrysum
4 drops frankincense
4 drops marjoram
4 drops cassia
25 drops coconut oil
How I Apply the Oils:
Recommended applications include several drops applied
with massage to the bottom of the feet, on the wrists, along
the breast bone, massage over the heart, on the carotidal
arteries, and to the back of the neck. Also diffusion might
be effective, and adding the oil or blend to a bath
(agitating the water often).
[search help: high blood pressure, HBP, hypertension]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
Balance, cassia, Citrus Bliss, clary sage,
frankincense, helichrysum, lavender, lemon, Live
Long Vitality supplements, marjoram, Serenity, ylang
ylang
Essential oils based
products:
Also consider:
Clove, eucalyptus, lemon, wintergreen
Suggested protocols:
This is a repeat of the recommendations made on the
Summary page:
1. Make dietary and exercise changes in your
life that make a healthy body a priority. This may take
time, for some… years. But it is by far the best step you
can take towards normalized blood pressure. There are many
sources that can teach you foods that are best for elevated
blood pressure. Take advantage of these. If you smoke or
drink alcohol, stop. It’s one of the worst things you can do
for elevated blood pressure. Remove high fat, fried, high
fructose corn syrup products and carbonated drinks
completely from your diet.
2. Exercise daily. Park a few blocks from
work. Get a dog and walk it daily. Go for a walk with a son,
daughter or spouse every night after dinner.
3. Use doTerra’s
Life Long Vitality supplements daily.
4. Use a reduced amount of quality sea salt
or whole mineral salt for seasoning foods.
5. Find essential oils that
are effective at reducing high blood pressure for YOU. This
will take testing, and patience. You need a BP cuff. You
should have one anyway. As you try a new essential oil or
blend, take your BP before and after in varying intervals.
Try 5 min, 1 hr, 8 hrs and 16 hrs. Try applying oils hourly,
every 8 hrs and every 24 hours. Keep a record of your
results.
The following are a list of essential oils that have
historically been used to help regulate high blood pressure.
There are also some “blends” that some have found successful.
And finally, I’ve included the blend that I personally use
with success, again keeping in mind that the causes of my
hypertension (adrenal) are considered rare.
Single Oils
Ylang ylang
Clary Sage
Marjoram
Lavender
Helichrysum
Lemon
Blends
Balance
Serenity
Citrus Bliss
Rob’s Blend
6 drops ylang ylang
6 drops helichrysum
4 drops frankincense
4 drops marjoram
4 drops cassia
25 drops coconut oil
How I Apply the Oils:
Recommended applications include several drops applied
with massage to the bottom of the feet, on the wrists, along
the breast bone, massage over the heart, on the carotidal
arteries, and to the back of the neck. Also diffusion might
be effective, and adding the oil or blend to a bath
(agitating the water often).
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Rose - My husband is not overweight but his
blood pressure was extremely high as well as his cholesterol
levels. After one month on the LLW his blood pressure went way
down and his cholesterol levels were cut in half! Can't
wait to see the results from the
LLV.
Ftballwidow - I
have a friend whose husband is under doctor's care and
taking medication for high blood pressure and nothing is
working. They can't figure out why. His wife
wants to try some oils. He also has bladder cancer and
is working on that with herbs and supplements (not doTERRA
but they are happy with it). Also her budget is
limited. What would you suggest if you could only
suggest 2 oils?
Samara - I know lavender or Serenity
helps with blood pressure.
Pat – I would suggest frankincense and
cypress, If they were committed to the oils and would be
consistent then the frankincense which is being studied for
bladder cancer could be powerful and adding the cypress
which really helps circulation could possible help his
hypertension. The actual protocol for high blood pressure
suggests about five oils.
John - I have always had slightly high
blood pressure. Not enough to worry about a stroke or
heart disease I don’t think, but never-the- less elevated.
After reading the other’s experiences with oils (cassia,
frankincense, helichrysum, lavender, lemon, marjoram, ylang
ylang) and doing some of my own research, I started working
on a blend for me. I used muscle testing, (which I am
new to) and stayed with oils that I thought smelled good to
me (yes, even ylang ylang).
After consistent use of my blend for about 3 weeks my
blood pressure started to go down. I made the mix with
coconut carrier and would put 3-4 drops on my hands, rub
them together and apply them to my heart, lymph’s and
wrists. I also would take a drop between each
forefinger and thumb and apply to pressure points on my ear.
I carry this blend around with me and do these applications
4-5 times daily.
I also have tried to improve eating habits and have cut
out pop (which was a big deal for me).
My pressure is down about 20-35 points from what it was.
It may not be a huge jump, but for me, it drops me from the
moderately high level to normal. That’s big for me.
Phil - I have heard that clove is also
good for HBP for some people. Drops twice a day over
the heart, and on pulse points (wrists, neck) and 4 drops in
capsules morning and night.
ftballwidow - My friend spoke to Dr.
Hill last night asked him if the doTerra Life Long Wellness
supplements could be making her blood pressure go up.
He said yes, that happens to some, and for her to take a 1/2
dose of the Microplex VM and that should address that.
cpstol - Isn't
there something that says not to take/eat grapefruit if you
have high blood pressure or are on medications for it?
Is grapefruit oil ok to take? Thanks!
Tamalu - I have been doing some research
on grapefruit, as there has once again been mention of
concern with grapefruit oil and meds. The compound
naringin, found in the fruit of grapefruit, which causes
problems with prescription meds by interfering with or
amplifying the body’s ability to absorb the drugs, is not
present in grapefruit essential oil. You may still
choose to avoid taking grapefruit oil internally, but with a
little research, you will find that the ingredient of
concern is not in the oils!
What Science & Research are saying
Summary from www.About.com on
stress and cortisol.
Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by
the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions
and more:
· Proper glucose metabolism
· Regulation of blood pressure
· Insulin release for blood sugar maintenance
· Immune function
· Inflammatory response
Normally, it’s present in the body at higher levels in
the morning, and at its lowest at night. Although stress
isn’t the only reason that cortisol is secreted into the
bloodstream, it has been termed “the stress hormone” because
it’s also secreted in higher levels during the body’s ‘fight
or flight’ response to stress, and is responsible for
several stress-related changes in the body. Small increases
of cortisol have some positive effects:
· A quick burst of energy for survival reasons
· Heightened memory functions
· A burst of increased immunity
· Lower sensitivity to pain
· Helps maintain homeostasis in the body
While cortisol is an important and helpful part of the
body’s response to stress, it’s important that the body’s
relaxation response to be activated so the body’s functions
can return to normal following a stressful event.
Unfortunately, in our current high-stress culture, the
body’s stress response is activated so often that the body
doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting
in a state of chronic stress.
Higher and more prolonged levels of cortisol in the
bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have
been shown to have negative effects, such as:
· Impaired cognitive performance
· Suppressed thyroid function
· Blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia
· Decreased bone density
· Decrease in muscle tissue
· Higher blood pressure
· Lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body,
slowed wound healing, and other health consequences
· Increased abdominal fat, which is associated with a
greater amount of health problems than fat deposited in
other areas of the body. Some of the health problems
associated with increased stomach fat are heart attacks,
strokes, the development of , higher levels of “bad”
cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol
(HDL), which can lead to other health problems!
The following research is reported in Psychiatry Research
(www.psy-journal.com)
scientifically confirming the benefit of lavender and
rosemary essential oils in reducing stress and related
health problems.
Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical
scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva.
Atsumi T, Tonosaki K. Department of Oral Physiology, Meikai University, School
of Dentistry, 1-1, Keyaki-dai, Sakado-shi, Saitama 350-0283,
Japan. tosi@dent.meikai.ac.jp
Free radicals/reactive oxygen species are related to many
biological phenomena such as inflammation, aging, and
carcinogenesis. The body possesses various antioxidative
systems (free radical scavenging activity, FRSA) for
preventing oxidative stress, and saliva contains such
activity. In the present study, we measured the total
salivary FRSA induced after the smelling of lavender and
rosemary essential oils that are widely used in
aromatherapy. Various physiologically active substances in
saliva such as cortisol, secretory IgA, and alpha-amylase
activity were found to be correlated with aroma-induced
FRSA. The subjects (22 healthy volunteers) sniffed aroma for
5 min, and each subject's saliva was collected immediately.
FRSA was measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The
FRSA values were increased by stimulation with low
concentrations (1000 times dilution) of lavender or by
high-concentrations (10 times dilution) of rosemary. In
contrast, both lavender and rosemary stimulations decreased
cortisol levels. A significant inverse correlation was
observed between the FRSA values and the cortisol levels
with each concentration of rosemary stimulation. No
significant changes were noted in sIgA or alpha-amylase.
These findings clarify that lavender and rosemary enhance
FRSA and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, which
protects the body from oxidative stress.
Ready, Set, Grow
