Indigestion

The other name for indigestion is dyspepsia! Indigestion or Dyspepsia (or, as it frequently is referred to by physicians, non-ulcer dyspepsia) is one of the most common ailments of the bowel (intestines).

Perhaps only 10% of those affected actually seek medical attention for their dyspepsia. Indigestion is best described as a functional disease. The concept of functional disease is particularly useful when discussing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The concept applies to the muscular organs of the gastrointestinal tract-esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and colon. What is meant by the term, functional, is that either the muscles of the organs or the nerves that control the organs are not working normally, and, as a result, the organs do not function normally. The nerves that control the organs include not only the nerves that lie within the muscles of the organs but also the nerves of the spinal cord and brain.

Symptoms:
We usually think of symptoms of indigestion as originating from the upper gastrointestinal tract, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine. These symptoms include upper abdominal pain (above the navel), belching, nausea (with or without vomiting), abdominal bloating (the sensation of abdominal fullness without objective distention), early satiety (the sensation of fullness after a very small amount of food), and, possibly, abdominal distention (swelling). The symptoms most often are provoked by eating, which is a time when many different gastrointestinal functions are called upon to work in concert. Belching, also known as burping or eructating, is the act of expelling gas from the stomach out through the mouth. The distention of the stomach causes abdominal discomfort, and the belching expels the air and relieves the discomfort. The common reasons for swallowing large amounts of air (aerophagia) or gas are gulping food or drink too rapidly, anxiety, and carbonated beverages.

When belching does not ease the abdominal discomfort, the belching should be taken as a sign that something may be wrong within the abdomen and that the cause of the discomfort should be sought. Belching by itself, however, does not help the physician determine what may be wrong because belching can occur in virtually any abdominal disease or condition that causes discomfort.

What causes indigestion? It's not surprising that many gastrointestinal diseases have been associated with indigestion. However, many non-gastrointestinal diseases also have been associated with indigestion. Examples of the latter include diabetes, thyroid disease, hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands), and severe kidney disease. It is not clear, however, how these non-gastrointestinal diseases might cause indigestion. A second important cause of indigestion is drugs. It turns out that many drugs are frequently associated with indigestion, eg:, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen ), antibiotics, and estrogens ). In fact, most drugs are reported to cause indigestion in at least some patients.

Other diseases and conditions can aggravate functional diseases, including indigestion. Anxiety and/or depression are probably the most commonly-recognized exacerbating factors for patients with functional diseases. Another aggravating factor is the menstrual cycle. During their periods, women often note that their functional symptoms are worse. This corresponds to the time during which the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, are at their highest levels.

Aromatherapy treatments can work for indigestion in two ways. The first is that massage and the use of essential oils can help anyone who is tense, anxious or stressed and therefore help the person to relax.

For oils which can help see anxiety, relaxation, stress.

Essential oils of Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Carrot Seed, Chamomile Roman, Chamomile German, Coriander Seed, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage and Spearmint can help.

A gentle massage over the stomach with a soothing and comforting oil such as Chamomile Roman, Lavender or Marjoram is recommended.

Drinking Chamomile, Fennel and peppermint herbal infusions can sometimes bring relief.

Alternatively make a hot compress using these oils to put over the stomach:

Recipe 1: 2 drops Chamomile Roman, 2 drops Fennel, 2 drops Lemon and apply to the stomach till the compress cools.  

Recipe 2: 2 drops Carrot Seed, 2 drops Ginger, 2 drops Spearmint and apply to the stomach till the compress cools.

Recipe 3: Make a blend of 1 drop Carrot Seed, 1 drop Ginger, 2 drops Dill, 10ml Sweet Almond Oil and massage into the abdominal area, the ribcage and the throat area when you have discomfort and pain.

Recipe 4: Make a blend of 2 drops Fennel, 2 drops Spearmint, 10ml Sweet Almond Oil and massage into the abdominal area, the ribcage and the throat area when you have discomfort and pain

The following recipes are especially good if the problem is caused by anxiety and worry. Massage  the blend into the abdominal area, the ribcage and the throat area when you have discomfort and pain:

Recipe 5: Make a blend of 1 drop Chamomile Roman, 1 drop Marjoram, 2 drops Lavender and 10ml Sweet Almond Oil.

Recipe 6:  Make a blend of 2 drop Bergamot, 1 drop Rose,  10ml Sweet Almond Oil.

Sage Essential Oil

Sage is considered to be good for respiratory infections and has a very warming effect on the muscles and works well as a massage oil to relieve aching muscles.

£4.00

Spearmint Essential Oil

Spearmint has similar properties to those of Peppermint but is more gentle and therfore suitable for helping younger people with ailments. It can be a good pep -me-up for the blues or fatigue and us iseful in certain digestive and skin related conditions.

£3.25

Sweet Almond Aromatherapy Carrier Oil 50ml

Sweet Almond is one of the most popular and versatile of all the carrier oils

£3.00

Sweet Almond Aromatherapy Carrier Oil 100ml

One of the most versatile and easy to use carrier oils.

£5.00

Basil Essential Oil

An uplifting oil which is good for muscular aches and pains, respiratory infections and for insect bites.

£3.75

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot is a valuable oil for tension and anxiety. It can help with conditions such as cystitis and urethritis as well as being great for skin conditions such as acne.

£4.25

Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Use Carrot Seed oil is brilliant for skin care especially more mature skin where wrinkles occur or conditions such as eczema. It can help with digestive problems and accumulation of toxins, gout and arthritis.

£4.75

Chamomile German 10% Dilute Essential Oil

Fantastic oil for so many purposes including skin care, inflammed tendons and swollen joints, digestive prolems especially where related to stress.

£4.25

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

£4.00

Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

£10.25

Coriander Seed Essential Oil

Try Coriander Seed for nervous exhaustion, arthritis, gout and stiffness of the joints. It is best known for stimulating the appetite and can be useful to help people suffering from anorexia.

£4.25

Dill Essential Oil

Dill is best used for digestive problems such as indigestion, flatulence or colic in children. It can also be helpful for irregular periods.

£3.75

Fennel Essential Oil

This is a herb of ancient medical repute which has been used for years. Try it for bruising, inflammation of the joints, arthritis, PMT and many digestive complaints.

£3.75

Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger is great for muscular aches and pains. Dilute it in carrier oil and massage straight onto the area. Use Ginger for nausea and sickenss as well as colds, fevers and flu.

£4.25

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£2.75

Juniper Essential Oil

Juniper has a special affinity with the urino-genital tract and can be used to treat many associated conditions. It is also good for respiratory problems and certain skin conditions.

£4.25

Lemon Essential Oil

This antiseptic and anti-bacterial oil will perform many tasks especially when blended with other oils, including treating verrucas, insect bites and tension headaches. It has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system. It will aid slimming, help shift cellulite and smooth out those wrinkles

£2.75

Marjoram Essential Oil

Marjoram as we might expect can help with the digestion. It is useful for bruises and chilblains. Marjoram can also have a warming effect on the mental and emotional level and can help people suffereing from grief.

£4.05

Rose Damascena 5% Dilute Essential Oil

Rose is often referred to as the Queen of all essential oils not least because of its price. It can help with lack of confidence, depression or grief as it has uplifting qualities and is said to produce feelings of well-being and even happiness. It has strong connections with our sexuality and can aid menstual problems.

£4.75

Rose Otto (Centifolia) 5% Dilute Essential Oil

Rose Otto is a wonderful oil which can help with skin care especially where the skin is more mature and is soothing for conditions such as asthma and hayfever.

£7.75

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£2.75

Black Pepper Essential Oil

Black Pepper is best used for circulation and sore muscles. It is good for chilblains and can help the digestive tract as well as being valuable for catarrh and chills.

£4.25

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint has a lot of different uses including acne and itching skin, palpitations and neuralgiz, catarrh and colds and to aid clear thinking as well as having ties with the digestive system.

£2.75

Sweet Almond Carrier Oil 1 litre

Sweet Almond carrier oil is one of the most popular and useful of all carrier oils.

£15.00