Gastroparesis affects the normal movement of the muscles in the stomach. This condition makes the stomach unable to empty itself of food in a typical fashion. [1]
Essential Oils can help reduce the symptoms of this condition.
Damage to your vagus nerve that regulates the digestive system causes Gastroparesis.
The damaged vagus nerve prevents the stomach muscles and intestine from functioning. It also stops food from moving through the digestive system accurately. [2]
Generally, intense muscular contractions propel food through the digestive tract. But in the case of gastroparesis, the stomach’s motility is slowed down or doesn’t work at all. This incident prevents the stomach from emptying properly. [3]
In the majority of the cases, the cause of gastroparesis is unknown. Using essential oils can support digestion and eliminate inflammation in the body. Some herbal oils can contribute to a decrease in symptoms, thereby improving quality of life. [4]
Keep reading the article to find out more about:
- What is gastroparesis?
- Symptoms and causes of gastroparesis
- Best essential oils for curing gastroparesis
Symptoms of Gastroparesis
It is crucial to know the signs of gastroparesis because if it is left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues. [5]
Food that is trapped in the stomach can harden into a substantial collection for gastroparesis. This condition is called a bezoar. Bezoars cause obstructions in the stomach which keeps food from passing into the small intestine. [6]
If the food stays in your gut for too long, it can ferment. Such a condition can lead to the growth of bacteria. [7]
Some common symptoms of gastroparesis are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting undigested food
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Feeling full quickly when eating
- Poor blood sugar control
- Abdominal bloating
- Heartburn or GERD
Causes of Gastroparesis are:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Gastric surgery with an injury to the vagus nerve
- Parkinson’s disease
- Medications such as narcotics and some antidepressants [8]
- Rare conditions like amyloidosis which deposits of protein fibers in tissues and organs, scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder affecting the skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and other internal organs) [9]
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Essential Oil Remedies for Gastroparesis
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is used to treat digestion-related problems. This herbal oil reduces the pain caused by gastroparesis. [10]
Lavender essential oil comes from the evergreen plant lavender. It is a sweet-scented herbal oil.
Lavender essential oil is a source of medicinal properties. It is useful for relieving stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, fatigue, and restlessness.
This essential oil has been a fantastic remedy for various aches and pains, neurological and skin disorders for generations. [11]
Lavender essential oil is rich in antispasmodic and analgesic properties that relieve the pain and discomforts gastroparesis.
You can use it in several ways:
- Apply 3-4 drops of undiluted lavender oil on your stomach and massage it gently. Do this twice every day.
- This remedy has a calming and cooling effect. Lavender essential oil is safer than most essential oils when you use it directly on your skin. In case of allergic symptoms, you may dilute the oil with a carrier oil.
- Inhale it directly from the bottle or use it in a diffuser. This aromatherapy will help with the gastroparesis
- Or, take some lavender flowers to prepare a lavender tea. Drink it daily.
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2. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil originates from the evergreen spearmint and watermint herbs. For generations, people have used crucial oil as a natural pain reliever.
Peppermint oil has varieties of use in medical industries. There are many therapeutic components; it has anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, antispasmodic, vitamins, and antifungal properties. [12]
Peppermint oil is full of menthol and menthone which are vital for relaxing the stomach.
These two components also increase the production of bile juice that helps in proper digestion.
It can be used in several ways:
- Add 4-5 drops of peppermint oil with any carrier oil and massage the mix on your affected area
- You can also have peppermint tea. Brew 2 tablespoon of peppermint leaves in 1 mug of water for 5-10 minutes. Drink the tea when it is cool.
- You can apply peppermint oil to the stomach. It helps combat irritation, gas, and indigestion.
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3. Melissa Oil
Melissa essential oil has a sweet, pleasant aroma. It is a widely used oil.
Melissa essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of fresh twigs, buds, and leaves of Melissa officinalis. This oil is known as lemon balm oil because it is used in almost all sorts of balms for its soothing properties.
It is a calming herbal oil that belongs to the mint family. It helps improve the appetite and digestion.
Melissa essential oil also reduces stress and discomfort due to indigestion.
It can be used in the following ways:
- You can have Melissa tea. Steep ½ tablespoon of dried lemon balm into a cup of hot water. Drink this tea 3-4 times a day.
- You can use it as an aromatherapy as well.
4. Ginger Oil
Ginger is a potent spice of Asian cuisine. It is a warm and aromatic root that comes from the flowering plant Zingiberaceae. For the varieties of health benefits, ginger has a whole place in folk medicine, Ayurveda, and Unani. [13]
Ginger essential oil is a rich source of gingerols. This substance is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that helps with digestion.
This is how you can use this oil:
- Add 3-4 drops of ginger essential oil to one tablespoon of olive oil. Then rub the mixture on the stomach to clear your stomach. Do this twice every day for 10-15 minutes every time.
5. Cypress Oil
Cypress essential oil comes from the twigs, needles, and stem of the cypress tree. Cypress is a widely known therapeutic tree for its host of biological properties.
The herbal oil is steam distilled. It has a strong reviving aroma. Some chemical components of cypress essential oil are careened, alpha-pinene, and limonene. [14]
These medicinal substances are full of antirheumatic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, and mood enhancing qualities.
This herbal oil can treat gastroparesis by flushing out toxins from the body. It also improves the circulation process.
This is how you can use this oil:
- Blend a few drops of cypress oil with coconut oil to massage your stomach affected area thoroughly. This process will give you good result in no time.
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6. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil comes from an exotic plant. It has plenty of uses to promote health and in Mediterranean cuisine.
Rosemary oil is extracted from the fragrant citrus leaves of rosemary plants. The etymological meaning of rosemary is ‘dew of the sea.’ This name originated from the Latin words ‘ros’ and ‘marinus.’ Rosemary means ‘Rose of Mary.’ [15]
Rosemary essential oil is filled with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidepressant, sedative, and expectorant properties.
These components are high-quality therapeutic substances that can boost blood circulation and battle off lymphatic blockage. [15]
For this reason, Rosemary essential oil is an adequate remedy for gastroparesis. This refreshing herbal oil can boost your mood instantly. Because it has a mind-blowing aroma and it can relieve your stress as well. [15]
It can be used in several ways:
- Add 4-5 drops of rosemary oil with any carrier oil and massage the mix on your affected area
- You can also have tea. Brew 2 tablespoon of rosemary leaves in 1 mug of water for 5-10 minutes. Allow the tea to cool before you drink it.
- You can apply rosemary oil tropically or inhale it. It helps in fighting indigestion and has a relaxing effect.
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7. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is obtained from the tropical flowers of the chamomile plant. It is is very popular as a flowering plant. Chamomile can be of two types: the Roman chamomile, and the German chamomile. [16]
Both types of chamomile oil induce profuse perspiration as a sudorific. Thus the oil helps to remove toxins and harmful agents that cause infections. This oil also simultaneously cools down the body. [16]
Chamomile oil has useful antiseptic and antibiotic properties. The substances in this oil do not let biotic infections develop that arise due to bacteria and fungi. Chamomile oil also eliminates infections that are already present in the body.
Chamomile oil has useful vermifuge agents that kill all sorts of intestinal worms. This helps you heal gastroparesis quickly. [16]
This herbal oil helps soothe the lining of the stomach and is useful in treating gastroparesis.
It can be used in several ways:
- Add 3-4 drops of chamomile oil with coconut oil and massage the mix on your affected area
- You can use also chamomile tea. Prepare chamomile tea in hot water, but don’t put it directly in boiling water, as that would evaporate the necessary ingredients of the tea. Drink it twice every day.
- You can put chamomile oil into the diffuser. It helps in fighting indigestion and has a relaxing effect.
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Bottom Line
Diet and exercise play a crucial role in curing gastroparesis. It’s important to chew the food properly and drink plenty of water. Also remember to eat pureed, well-cooked and fermented food.
Smoking, drinking alcohol will hurt your gastroparesis. Avoid carbonated beverages and food that are rich in gluten, hot and spicy food, dairy products and high-fat food.
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