AROMATHERAPY

A-Z of Sports and Dance Injuries-3

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A nerve disorder in the hands and arms. Massage both hands, arms and shoulders twice a day with:

Marjoram	10 drops
Lavender	10 drops
Eucalyptus	10 drops
Dilute in 30ml vegetable oil

Chest Muscle Strain

Strain and injury to the muscles in the chest area,

Use the ice method four to six times a day and after fourty-eight hours us the heat method. Twice a day throughout , massage with the following oil:

Contact sports-Weight lifting-Dance-(male)

Ginger	10 drops
Eucalyptus	10 drops
Peppermint	5 drops
Nutmeg	5 drops
Diluted in 30ml vegetable oil
Soaking in a hot bath often relieves the symptoms, add 2 drops each of lavender and rosemary.

Ear Injury

Use the Ice method to relieve discomfort, followed by the use of topical analgesic ointment:

Combine lanolin and rosewater in a bain-marie and when the mixture is cold add the essential oils and mix well:

50gm	Anhydrous lanolin
25ml	Rosewater
20 drops	Clove
20 drops	Eucalyptus
10 drops	Thyme
if you prefer a stiffer base, add 20gms of beeswax at the bain-marie stage.

 

Elbow Contusions

Contact sports, Falls, Blows

Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the elbow. Apply the ice method for three days, four to six times a day, and after each session massage gently using the following oil:

Hyssop	5 drops
Ginger	6 drops
Cypress	10 drops
Eucalyptus	9 drops
Diluted in 30ml vegetable oil
The compress or flannel heat method with 2 drops of eucalyptus can be used after three days.

 

Elbow Strain

Contact sports.

Caused by overstretching the ligaments in the elbow joint. Rest the elbow in an ice pack, keeping it there for fifteen minutes, three times a day.

Between times, massage with the following oil.

Ginger	15 drops
Nutmeg	8 drops
Clove	6 drops
Diluted in 30ml vegetable oil.
Hot water elbow baths also help, as do alternate hot and cold baths. In these place two drops each of rosemary and lavender.

 

Elbow Tendinitis (Tennis Elbow)

Tennis-Ball Games-Throwing

Inflammation of the muscles, tendons, bursa or tissues of the elbow area which often causes pain in the arm as well. in cases such as this heat is usually the best answer.

Apply this to the area three times a day and afterwards massage the whole arm from the wrist to the shoulder gently with the following oil:

Peppermint	10 drops
Eucalyptus	10 drops
Chamomile Roman	10 drops
Diluted in 30ml vegetable oil.

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood