Essential oils have been used as complementary medicine for thousands of years and can offer physical and mental relief from various symptoms and discomforts. They can soothe pain, relieve tension and stress, promote local blood flow and muscle contractions, and stimulate the function of specific processes, such as digestion.
Research indicated that anybody utilizing essential oils must apply them aromatically and topically for digestive relief and should never swallow it. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts and can help treat various ailments, like constipation. Different essential oils can have other effects on the body. Before applying it to the skin, one should dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil.
Here are the 14 Best Essential Oils for Digestive Issues
1. Ginger oil
Ginger is commonly used to help with digestion, nausea, and constipation. It has digestive stimulant properties that can increase gastric motility and help prevent or treat constipation. In addition, a ginger essential oil is warming and stimulating, and it may aid digestion by energizing the circulatory system and stimulating metabolic activity.
It has a long history of use to aid digestion and ease symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, gas, and bloating.
To alleviate constipation, combine 3–5 drops of ginger essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil, like grapeseed or coconut oil, and massage into the abdomen twice or thrice daily.
2. Fennel oil
Fennel seed is a robust digestive stimulant that, when eaten, can be used as a laxative to treat constipation quickly and effectively.
Traditional medicine has used essential fennel oil for centuries to treat digestive problems. It also has laxative properties that help prevent and treat constipation. In addition, because it has phytoestrogens, it may also help with gas and bloating.
The best way to use essential fennel oil is to mix it with a carrier oil and massage it into the stomach twice or thrice daily.
3. Peppermint oil
Peppermint essential oil has antispasmodic properties that can aid in constipation relief. A 2008 study discovered that peppermint oil effectively relieved constipation in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Peppermint is a popular herb used to treat digestive and respiratory problems.
It contains menthol, which has antispasmodic properties and is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial, which may aid in treating IBS symptoms. Combine two drops of peppermint essential oil with one teaspoon of warmed carrier oil for digestive relief, massage the mixture onto the abdomen, and inhale the aroma.
According to research, inhaling oils can be as effective as applying them directly to the body. When taking peppermint oil, caffeine, alcohol, and caffeine-containing foods must not be used.
4. Lemon oil
Lemon essential oil is highly concentrated and rich in antioxidants, which can help with digestion and inflammation. It is both refreshing and penetrating, and it can help with nausea, morning sickness, acid reflux, and constipation. It also enhances mood, energy, and concentration. In addition, lemon oil can improve digestion through aromatherapy massages, air diffusers, and topical applications.
5. Rosemary oil
Rosemary essential oil has a spasmolytic effect, which relaxes muscles and reduces spasms. It can also help to get things moving in the digestive system. Although inhaling rosemary oil has all the desired effects, some people use it as a massage oil for aromatherapy benefits. Combine the oil with a massage lotion or add 2-3 drops to an air diffuser to reap the full benefits.
6. Marjoram Essential Oil
Marjoram essential oil is crucial in traditional Mediterranean medicine for its effects on the digestive and respiratory tracts, the cardiovascular system, and neurological disorders. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, and antifungal properties and can strengthen the core of the cardiovascular system and possibly protect the gastrointestinal tract. Terpinen-4-ol, a naturally occurring monoterpene shown to relax smooth muscles, is found in sweet marjoram essential oil. One can use it in aromatherapy massage blends to help with spasms and digestion, and it’s a must-have when detoxing after a fun night out.
7. Green Mandarin:
Green Mandarin essential oil is derived from the rind of the mandarin peel and is used to relax and induce sleep.
Shop Online for Essential Oils for Digestive Issues
- Ginger oil
- Fennel oil
- Peppermint oil
- Lemon oil
- Rosemary oil
- Marjoram Essential Oil
- Green Mandarin
- Mountain Rose Herb
- Essential Oils
8. Clove Bud:
Clove Bud essential oil relaxes and soothes the digestive tract’s muscular lining. Traditionally, people use it to relieve digestive upset, stomach aches, and acid reflux indigestion. It can also help to relax the mind and calm nerves, which can aid in the relief of stomach problems.
9. Tangerine Essential Oil
The tangerine essential oil has a pleasant citrus aroma and soothing and relaxing properties that help to calm the mind and digestive tract.
10 Anise Oil ( Pimpinella anisum)
Anise essential oil contains more than 80% E-anethole, a powerful spasm-relieving component. It smells sweet and slightly licorice-like, similar to fennel essential oil.
It is highly potent and should be avoided if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking anticoagulant medication. Dilute it to a maximum of 2.4% (10 – 13 drops of essential oil in 1 oz/30 ml carrier oil).
11. Black Pepper Oil ( Piper nigrum)
Black pepper essential oil is famous for its digestive benefits because it combines sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, which help calm muscles and relieve bloating and other abdominal discomfort. It is renowned for its digestive benefits. It releases trapped energy in the stomach.
12. Cardamom Oil (Elettaria cardamomum)
Because of its natural esters, particularly terpinyl acetate, cardamom essential oil is famous for relieving stomach spasms. In addition, it can help digestion by secreting digestive juices and enzymes, reducing bloating and digestive upset, and improving overall digestive system health.
13. Orange Sweet Oil (Citrus sinensis)
Orange essential oil is fantastic for digestive health; like other citrus oils, such as lemon essential oil, orange essential oil contains a high concentration of d-limonene. As a result, the orange essential oil can relieve spasms and aid the body’s natural detoxification process, such as queasy and unsteady feelings in the stomach.
14. Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)
Castor oil is a popular digestive carrier oil because it can help break up stuck energy and relieve tight, cramped, bloated sensations. To use it:
- Make a compress by soaking a soft flannel cloth or paper towel in the oil and placing it on your stomach.
- Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the oil to encourage deeper absorption.
- Protect your heat source with another layer of cloth to keep it clean.
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- Clove Bud
- Tangerine Essential Oil
- Anise Oil
- Black Pepper Oil
- Cardamom Oil
- Orange Sweet Oil
- Castor Oil
- Mountain Rose Herb
- Essential Oils
Side Effects of Essential Oils for Digestive Issues
Some essential oils are toxic; therefore, nobody should swallow or drink them. Aromatherapy works by inhaling the essential oils and massaging the diluted oils into the skin. Essential oils are generally safe for most people except for crucial oils containing menthol. The most severe danger of using essential oils is irritation or allergic reactions.
To avoid this, always dilute an essential oil with a carrier of your choice and test for allergies by applying the diluted oil to a small skin patch. Essential oils are generally safe for adults but may substantially affect children, so consult their pediatrician first. Consider this if you intend to use an air diffuser in your home.
Conclusion
Essential oils have been used as complementary medicine for thousands of years and can offer physical and mental relief from various symptoms and discomforts. Anise essential oil contains more than 80% E-anethole; black; pepper oil is famous for its digestive benefits, and cardamom oil is renowned for relieving stomach spasms and aiding the body’s natural detoxification process. Castor oil can help break up stuck energy and reduce tight, cramped, and bloated sensations.
LINKS TO RESEARCH REFERENCES
Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review – ScienceDirect
Essential Oils: Oils of Nature – Google Books
Works Cited
M., Ali Subhani, et al. Biological Importance of Essential Oils. Essential OilsOils of Nature 1, 2020.
Naser, Ali Al-Wabel, et al. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 5 No. 8, 2015.
S., Y., et al. Livestock Science 145 No. 13, 2012.
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