Summary
see also: Bell's palsy,
neuropathy,
trigeminal neuralgia.
The nervous system has three primary functions. The
Sensory System gathers information about the environment
around the body and transmits it to the brain. This
would include touch, taste, or any of the five senses.
The Motor Nerves (Somatic) control the voluntary movements
of the body such as walking or talking. The Autonomic Nerves
control the involuntary actions of the body such as
heartbeat, digestion, or adrenal release. (The tab above,
Nervous System, gives a more detailed description of the
complete nervous system.)
Because of the complexity of this body system there are
many possible problems that may occur with a myriad of
symptoms. These can range from the nuisance of having
numbness in the end of a finger to a disabling injury to the
spine. Nerve damage may be the result of, or a symptom
of, a number of diseases. Listed below are some common
conditions involving nerve damage:
•
Autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease,
lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
•
Cancer growth can caused direct damage to nerve tissue or
enlarged tumors can apply pressure on nerve tissue.
Beyond there may be collateral damage to nerve tissue from
the cancer treatments of radiation and chemotherapy.
•
Diabetes often includes damage to sensory nerves resulting
in diabetic neuropathy.
•
Infections of different types such as HIV, hepatitis C, and
Lyme disease affect the nerves.
•
Medicines, drugs, or toxins can damage nerve tissue.
•
Motor neuron diseases such a ALS or Lou Gehrig’s diseases
affect neurons directly.
•
Pressure from arthritic growth or other abnormalities often
constricts nerve passageways or puts pressure on nerve
tissue resulting in pain and discomfort.
•
Trauma to any part of the body can result in damage to
sensory, motor, or autonomic neurons or their pathways.
Symptoms will vary depending on which part of the nervous
system is damaged:
•
Autonomic nerve damage may include bladder problems,
constipation, dry eyes, dry mouth, excessive perspiration,
or sexual dysfunction.
•
Motor nerve damage may produce muscle atrophy, paralysis,
twitching, or weakness.
•
Sensory nerve damage can result in burning, dizziness,
numbness, pain, or tingling.
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
AromaTouch, Balance, cypress, geranium, helichrysum,
juniper, peppermint, Roman chamomile
Essential oils based
products:
Also consider:
birch, cassia, lavender, lemon, marjoram, oregano,
vetiver
Suggested protocols:
Nerve damage can come from a variety of sources. If
uncertain consider the possibilities of viral or bacterial
infection, muscle spasms or cramps, local inflammation, or
other root causes and use oils recommended for these
concerns. For repair and regeneration of nerve tissue
frankincense, helichrysum, and Roman chamomile are most
often suggested. More complex protocols also increase blood
circulation to hasten healing and may have oils for pain
management. Below are three protocols suggested:
Restore damaged nerve tissue:
· Apply
1 - 2 drops of frankincense and/or helichrysum to the
affected area 2 to 3 times daily to restore .
Restore damaged nerves, including
increased circulation:
· 5 parts -
helichrysum
· 3 parts -
cypress
· 8 parts -
geranium
· 2 parts -
juniper
· 1 part -
peppermint
3-4 drops topically to the area of damage 2-3 times
per day.
Restore damaged nerves, increased
circulation, pain management, and infection protection:
· 15
drops geranium
· 10
helichrysum
· 10
wintergreen
· 8
marjoram
· 6
cypress
· 5
peppermint
· 2
clove
· 2
lemon
3-4 drops topically to the area of damage 2-3 times
per day.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Terry – An
acquaintance has nerve damage caused by shingles. His doctor
has him taking the same drug given for epilepsy. He'd like
to know which oils would help heal his nerve damage. Maybe
something to get rid of the shingle virus (or whatever it
is) that tends to come and go now. Can anyone tell me more
about that?
Pat - Frankincense dropped under the
tongue daily and marjoram applied with a spray apparatus
when the shingles are topical.
Janyce - I have recommended peppermint
to repair nerve damage. I have been using it on my foot
neuroma and it is helping a lot. Just a suggestion.
Heather - Is it kinda like neuropathy?
Aroma touch and lemongrass are good for nerves and
circulation.
Pat - Melissa is what we use for killing
virus, marjoram will assist with pain and topical blisters
and then helichrysum for repairing the damage.
Temple - My mom has some pretty serious
nerve damage, and her RN after neck/ back/spine surgery
recommended that she use peppermint oil on the back of her
neck during her recovery.
Sue – I have a
friend who has ended up with facial nerve damage after she
got an infection in an eye tooth from an old filling. The
old tooth and filling have now been removed but the nerve
damage was the result. I am thinking OnGuard for any
infection. But not sure about the nerve pain. Any other
thoughts would be appreciated.
DeEllen - Helichrysum is good for nerve
damage and birch, cayenne, and ginger "hinder the production
of neurotransmitters that carry pain messages from nerve
endings to the central nervous system." I don't know if that
helps or not, but I got it from notes I have about essential
oils and pain.
Pat - Roman chamomile is also good for
nerve damage and it also regenerates. I would use any of
these oils directly on the surface of the face and drop
frankincense under the tongue.
April - My mom had
a tongue cancer removed and in doing that has had some
serious nerve damage, both on her tongue and on the outside
of her mouth on one side.
1. She can't move any muscles on one side of her mouth and
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for helping
bring the feeling back. I'm not sure if anything can be done
since it was damaged in surgery, but I wanted to try for
her.
2. She has a condition her doctor calls "burning tongue."
She says it feels as if she has just had too-hot hot cocoa
and her tongue has been burned. She has this sensation
constantly, which is painful for her. Any thoughts at all
would be very greatly appreciated.
Kathy - I would try 1 drop of
helichrysum and 2 drops of lemongrass in 1 teaspoon of
carrier, then swish and pull the mixture around the tongue
twice per day - morning and night (you don't need to
swallow). See if she feels a difference after a few weeks of
consistent use. Use grapeseed, coconut oil, water or vco
for a carrier.
Rob - I was looking through my older
notes on nerve damage protocols, and found this suggestion
had been effective for some...
15 drops geranium, 10 helichrysum, 10 wintergreen, 8
marjoram, 6 cypress, 5 peppermint, 2 clove, 2 lemon
3-4 drops could be used topically as close to the area of
the damage as possible, and added to a carrier and used as
an oil push for 10 or so minutes per day.
Mahina - I was
wondering what the best protocol would be for your husband
who has smashed his pointer finger with a hammer. It has
been a few days, but there is a blood blister underneath the
nail and I don't want it to die and fall off. Ideas?
Katie - I did this to mine, though it
was with a water bottle. I can't tell you how much it hurt,
and throbbed for hours. I still have some nerve damage, but
I thought for SURE I would lose my nail. I didn't though.
I applied frankincense and lavender and a drop of
helichrysum several times each day. I also applied basil
for the nerve damage, and although I still have a little
less sensitivity to my middle finger, I can feel it well and
I didn't lose my nail. It absorbed into barely a little
blood blister. Hope it works as well for your husband.
Diane - My husband did this as well, and
very bad, thought he was going to lose the nail too. I used
oregano and lemon for the pain, and then Deep Blue for
tissue repair (I'm still building my collection, so I don't
have many like helichrysum yet). It's still badly bruised,
but he still has the nail. He stopped letting me apply oils
after a couple of days though.
Jan - Add lavender to that mix. I cut my
pointer finger to the bone two weeks ago, thought I was
going to have to have stitches. It swelled up and lots of
bruising. I just put frankincense, helichrysum, melaleuca
and lavender on the cut and bruising and in 2 days the
swelling was down and in 4 days took the bandage off
completely. It was all healed. Awesome oils.
Shannon - Can
anyone give me some ideas on what to use for nerve damage to
feet and back. My husband back in 98 broke his pelvic bone
and ruptured some discs in his back and has since had severe
problems with his feet hurting, numb, cold. He started
anodyne treatments and that made them worse. Any suggestions
on how to get him feeling better! PLEASE!!!
Kathy - I would say for Nerve Damage:
Helichrysum, Geranium, Peppermint, Cypress (doTerra
AromaTouch oil would be good too) rub onto nerve-damaged
areas as well as on the bottom of the feet. Try the
AromaTouch Technique too if you can.
I also found this recommendation to restore damaged
nerves:
· 5 parts - Helichrysum
· 3 parts - Cypress
· 8 parts - Geranium
· 2 parts - Juniper
· 1 part - Peppermint
The recommendation was to apply in the above order.
If an oil is not available (ie juniper) skip or use an oil
with similar constituents.
Nancy - I attribute Dr Hill with this
procedure for “neuropathy of the feet”.
· It starts with 2-4 drops Balance, rub into feet (then I
usually cross right hand to left foot and left hand to right
foot and hold until I feel a 'connection')
· Next, on one foot, add the next three oils, either
separately or combined: 2-4 drops Cypress,2-4 drops Basil,
2-4 drops Marjoram
· Finish with 2-4 drops Peppermint
· Finally cover with hot
moist towel and perhaps a dry towel to keep the heat in for
the longest time.
Repeat on other foot. The time varies on relief, and some
day’s response is better than others, but keep using it and
you should notice a difference.
Loryjean - I have nerve damage in my
legs and hand. The very first thing is the Lifelong Wellness
Pack, for nutritional support. Balance 2-3 times a day. I
use Vetiver, Marjoram, Cassia, Birch and I also do the
Candida Cleanse for 3 weeks about every six weeks, followed
by PB Assist. Susan Lawton suggested rotating oils for
chronic conditions, so I am going to try some others from
time to time. I also use Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint
every day. Because part of my problem is inflammation, and
if he's been injured, his probably is, too- I use Oregano on
my feet night and morning with the Birch, as well. I am
getting better; I don't expect to be totally relieved from
problems I've had for years, but doTERRA HAS made an
incredible difference in my life! Best of luck to you.
Shannon - Thanks~! I will give it a
try! What if I am rubbing it on his feet do I need to
do it differently? Hope it works~ I am desperate for some
relief for him~ LOL
Dian - Have him lay on his stomach and
rub it on his back on the area of the damage then put a warm
towel and a blanket over that, then on the bottom of his
feet and have him put socks on to help warm the oils for
better absorption.
Pat - One of our new oils, Coriander is
known to help with poor circulation and Roman Chamomile is a
powerful new oil that increases the ability of the skin to
regenerate, helps the liver reject poisons and is good for
restless leg. Any of these conditions could be part of what
he is experiencing.
The Nervous System
The nervous system is the complex interconnection of
neurons throughout the body that receive sensory inputs and
controls the voluntary and involuntary actions of the body.
The complete nervous system is divided into subsystems that
have unique functions:
Central Nervous System –
This includes the brain and the spinal cord (and
interestingly the retina). The spinal cord and brain
receive all the sensory inputs from the peripheral nervous
system, integrates all of this data, and initiates
appropriate responses.
Peripheral Nervous System
– The PNS connects to all parts of the body
and gathers information to be sent to the CNS and also
transmits the signals sent from the CNS to control muscles
and organs throughout the body. The PNS usually
includes the Sensory System and beyond this is divided into
two subsystems known as the Autonomic and the Somatic
Nervous Systems.
•
Sensory System – This is the part of the
nervous system that alerts the brain of external stimuli.
There are sensory receptors for the five senses of hearing,
touch, taste, smell, and vision that sends information to
the brain through neural pathways.
•
Autonomic Nervous System – This controls
the involuntary activities of the body such as heart rate,
blood pressure, digestive functions and much more.
This includes the muscles in the skin (around hair
follicles; smooth muscle), around blood vessels (smooth
muscle), in the eye (the iris; smooth muscle), in the
stomach, intestines and bladder (smooth muscle), and muscles
of the heart (cardiac muscle). Other glands and organs
include the adrenal, kidney, liver, mucous, nasal, oral, and
salivary.
The
ANS is divided into two major divisions, sympathetic and
parasympathetic, plus the less well-known enteric nervous
system.
Sympathetic Nervous System – This part of
the ANS originates in the thoracic and lumbar sections of
the spinal cord (T1 thru L2). It controls what is
commonly referred to as the “fight or flight” responses of
the body. In this state signals are sent through the
nervous system to maximize the body’s resources to deal with
impending stress. This includes a faster heart rate,
increased blood delivered to the muscles and less to the
digestive system.
Parasympathetic Nervous System – This part
of the ANS originates in the medulla region of the brain and
the sacral region of the spinal cord (CN 3, 7, 9, 10 and S2
thru S4). This controls the “rest and digest”
responses of the body. Signals are sent throughout the
body to build energy that include decreased heart rate,
lower blood pressure, and activation of the digestive
system.
Enteric Nervous System – Less frequently
referred to, the ENS delivers specialized nerve signals to
the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the gall
bladder.
•
Somatic Nervous System – Also know as the Motor
Nerves these control the voluntary movements of the
body. The CNS sends signals through neural pathways to
the muscles that then can provide the movements of the
skeletal system.
Ready, Set, Grow
