Aromatherapy and oils for skin with radiation damage
In aromatherapy, plants unfold their special power in the essential oils but also in the magical effect of the fragrances.
Their healing effect has now been proven in numerous clinical studies and ranges from infectious diseases, gastrointestinal complaints and skin diseases to cushioning the side effects of drug therapies, in pediatrics or geriatrics.
Aromatherapy is effective everywhere.
In the specific case of alleviating the side effects of radiotherapy, helpful oil blends can be used as a preventative and aftercare or regenerative adjunct.
Essential oils such as cajeput, blue chamomile, lavender, rose, sea buckthorn or frankincense are mainly used.
Nourishing base oils include aloe vera, almond oil, evening primrose oil, wild rose oil and olive oil.
It is advisable to prepare the skin a few weeks before the radiotherapy.
This is because strengthened and healthy skin tolerates the radiation better and has a higher potential to regenerate.
The skin should always be prepared with rose water before applying oil blends.
This is because rose water moisturizes the skin, inhibits inflammation, reduces scarring and optimally prepares it to absorb the oil mixture applied afterwards.
As an age-old skin care and beauty product, rose water also exudes a pleasant fragrance.
Doing something good for yourself in stressful times is not only allowed, but vital!
Oil mixtures are then applied to the prepared skin with gentle circular movements and without pressure.
Alternatively, they can also be added to bath water.
The skin envelops our entire body, it is the first organic boundary to our environment.
It protects us and is also used for communication and, above all, for demarcation.
This is particularly important in the event of illness.
It is not selfish to take care of yourself and sometimes clearly distance yourself from harmful influences – even well-intentioned advice – no, it is even vital.
With this in mind, I wish everyone to feel good in their own skin!
(Monika Stein, natural healer, lecturer at Paracelsus University Zurich)
At this point it is particularly important to emphasize that the accompanying treatment with oils must be discussed with the radiologist.
Under no circumstances is it advisable to carry out applications on your own, or in secret, which can hinder the success of conventional medical therapy or even cause additional damage.
Oil mixtures before radiotherapy
A “famous” mixture that has already been tried and tested many times is the “Russian mixture”, which was used in Chernobyl after the reactor accident and is used successfully in areas with high radiation exposure.
Russian oncologists still use it today to strengthen the skin before radiotherapy.
Rose distillate is used as a base (3 parts) and mixed with 3 parts each of niaouli and cajeput and one part thyme ct.
Thymol.
Oil blends for the accompanying treatment
The following mixture has a cell-regenerating, cell-protecting and therefore very strong wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effect, which is an indispensable part of the accompanying treatment of radiotherapy:
The base is wild rose oil, evening primrose oil and aloe vera macerate (10 ml each).
Approx. 4-5 drops of lavender oil, niaouli and immortelle can be added to this.
There are also tried and tested formulations with blue chamomile, if the skin is very irritated, and/or yarrow.
Oil mixtures after radiotherapy
Frankincense is considered to be particularly anti-inflammatory.
After treating severely damaged skin that is very difficult to recover from, it is best to use so-called red oil (St. John’s wort macerate) and aloe vera as a base.
The added oils should be mild and promote wound healing.
Fine lavender, sea buckthorn and niaouli are suitable for this purpose.
If the skin can tolerate it, calendula or the gentler witch hazel are also suitable.
If the skin is very irritated, the mixtures can also be sprayed on.
This is particularly pleasant.
It goes without saying that any further exposure to radiation should be avoided, especially sunlight.
If in doubt, all oil mixtures should be tested on healthy skin beforehand.
There are often individual reactions that should be tested on healthy skin before radiotherapy.
