HOW AROMATHERAPY CAN HELP WITH EPILEPSY
by Marcela De Vivo
Epilepsy is frightening, and can often put a strong damper on a person’s day-to-day activities. There are a lot of unknowns that come with epilepsy, therefore, it can be difficult to plan around its symptoms. Fortunately, aromatherapy has been shown to help in aiding with those dealing with epilepsy.
It is important to note that before trying any kind of aromatherapy, epileptic patients should always speak to their doctor first. Some essential oils can mix poorly with seizure medications, therefore, the doctor should always give their approval beforehand going ahead with aromatherapy treatments. It should also be noted that aromatherapy should always be used in conjunction with the medication.
A vaporizer is also very useful in aromatherapy at home as it releases the helpful oils into the air throughout a room.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Certain essential oils can actually be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing the chemicals in one’s body to change. These chemical changes could greatly affect what triggers the body to seizure. Chamomile, Cedarwood, Jasmine, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang can soothe the nervous system and help it to balance itself out.
While aromatherapy does not cure epilepsy, it is a very beneficial supportive, non-invasive treatment for most epileptic patients. The essential oils that are used influence the brain, allowing for an oncoming seizure to sometimes stop completely.
Frankincense, which is one of the most popular essential oils for epilepsy, helps the limbic portions of the brain, which, in turn, aids in memory and emotional releases.When using frankincense to prevent seizures, put a drop on the bottom of both big toes, or on one’s neck and temples each night.
Frankincense can also be placed under the tongue nightly.When a seizure is beginning, inhaling frankincense can lessen the severity of the seizure.
Lemon and orange essential oils also aid in brain stimulation. These oils should be put on the bottoms of each big toe.
Essential Oils to Avoid
While there are many helpful essential oils, there are some dangerous essential oils to avoid as well, especially those suffering from epilepsy. These oils can actually trigger and stimulate seizures, and should be avoided at all costs. These oils are harmful when they are taken orally as well as when absorbed through the skin. Here is a list of eleven essential oils to avoid if you struggle with epilepsy:
- Wormwood
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Hyssop
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Tansy
- Savin
- Thuja
- Pennyroyal
- Turpentine
Sometimes, these oils can be mixed with other compounds to reduce the risk of seizures; however, to be on the safer side of things, it is best to avoid these oils.
Although epilepsy can be a life-altering condition, there are many ways to combat it and make it more manageable to deal with. It can be a very crippling disease, but aromatherapy is a great way to help prevent seizures before they even begin!
Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in Southern California whose writing specializes in health, marketing, tech and business. She loves learning about aromatherapy and works with VapeWorld to educate others about the health benefits of using vaporizers and humidifiers for a variety of ailments.
I just want to say thank you xxxxxxxx
I think I managed to avert a seizures in my eighty year old husband today .as he was feeling sick and very hot and confused I really hope this was the case as he developed gran mall two years ago after a car accident and they really terrified me as he goes into multiple one sometimes he is on a low dose of medication but as they make him more confused we do not want to increase them I also put a drop on each big toe nape of neck before he goes to bed and burn the oil in a defuser it really hope this help and am very grateful for the hope thankyou
Please help my son is turning 22 since from 2010 he started having seizures and his taking medication but doesn’t help that much. And his worried now that he is limited .
My son has been having uncontrolled seizures for about 20 years. He’s had a vagus nerve stimulater and even brain surgery to try to control them. And he’s tried nearly every seizure medication available. He currently takes a combination of 4 seizure medications, but still has episodes of seizures 2-3 times a week, usually involving a trip to the ER in an ambulance. Because of the type of seizures he has, it’s too dangerous to try to drive him there. He’s broken out my windshield twice! For the last few months, however, we have been using Franklncense oil cut with fractionated coconut oil, applied in his belly button. If used immediately at the onset, his seizures stop within minutes! It’s taken awhile to acknowledge that this actually was working, but it does! If he doesn’t use it right away, it takes awhile to stop them, but last couple of trips to the ER, the seizures were completely stopped by the time the ambulance got him.there and he came back home without being admitted. This actually works, and it has been life-changing!
This is amazing! We’re so happy for you, thank you for sharing!
We can attest to frankincense reducing severity and sometimes averting the seizure altogether if used at the beginning of the seizure. We place the bottle directy under my son’s nose so that he is able to inhale it.We don’t need to use the oxygen in case he gets a full blown seizure.He comes round.
A vegan diet with little sugar helps a whole lot.
How many drops to how much coconut oil.
🙏🏼
My 2 granddaughters, one has epilepsy and it’s been said to avoid teatree oil, however her sister could ideally do with using tea tree oil. We scared to take the risks. It’s only very minimal on a head band to prevent head lice Epidermic at school. Any help would be appreciated thank you
Triggers are different for different people. If your granddaughter has never really had a proven seizure from Tea Tree Oil, it may or may not be a trigger for her. It does have a strong scent, so if strong scents are usually triggers for her, this may not be any different. In our experience starting with the least amount possible is usually the best route to go (however that may not make enough of a difference with the lice situation.) I’m sorry we can’t be more helpful- if only everyone were the same!
Hi, it seems the application of the above oils are triggers to epilepsy when applied on the skin or taken orally. However, do they cause the same harm if only inhaled via an essential oil diffuser? Thank you!
Hi, The quick answer is it may trigger some people and be ok for others. These ‘triggers’ are submitted by readers of our website and should be viewed as antidotal information. What triggers one person’s seizures may have little or no affect on others. We maintain this list to provide people with a starting place to look for what affects you or your loved one. I know it would be easier to deal with a rule rather than a vague outline, but I hope you have success figuring out what works for you.
My daughter has petal seizure and I want to try this will it be safe she ten and she has headache somethimes advised
Although many families have found success with this type of treatment, we are not doctors and checking with a physician before trying something new is always recommended.
I’m a 35 yo male and have recently developed generalised seizures and have suffered some severe gran mal seizure lasting quite some time to the point my body is completely destroyed and I’m non responsive for around half an hour after the seizure. My sister is a naturopath and put me into rutavala….. I apply it under every toe at bedtime and on my wrists and have never felt more calmer or had more a peaceful sleep!
So sorry about your severe seizures… thank you for sharing what is helping you get good sleep, I’m sure that is so important for your body to recover!
My husband has really bad gran mall seizures like yours… are you saying you use rutavala to help with yours and with using what percent would you say it has taken your seizures too. ex. bad seizure 100% does it take it to like 75 or 50 or ect?
Thanks for this info, I’m looking to start using essential oils for my 19 yr old son who has daily short focal and absence seizures and wondered how many drops of Frankincense in total each day to start with? I’ve read that it can be taken internally also on feet/spine/neck etc so just wondered where to start? Thanks
We are not medical professionals so we can’t offer specific dosing recommendations for your son. It would be good to check in with a professional, probably a holistic doctor in this instance before beginning. Or some people have found success by just beginning very slowly and carefully documenting results and making adjustments accordingly. We hope so much that this therapy works for your son!
What kind of frankincense: Frereana, Serrata, or Carteri??
That’s a good question. There are subtle differences in those three types due to where they are harvested. However, many professionals believe the end result is very similar. You may need to do your own trial and error to see if there is one that works better with the make-up of the person having the seizures. No matter which variety you go with, make sure you choose a quality product from a reputable company because in that way, not all frankincense on the market is equal.
My 5 y/o seem to get worsen with Frankincense oil We started on November 19 and the rest of the week oh boy… Her teacher report iour girl not paying attention at all and refuse to collaborate with other aids. Now working with Lavander oil it seem to helper sleep better
Thank you for sharing your daughter’s response to frankincense oil. Unfortunately, not everyone responds the same to the same remedies. Please keep us posted how it goes with the lavender.
There are many essential oils out there. My daughter has very bad sezuires and I have found frankincense, and also lemongrass and wild orange to be her faves in helping her relax. And reduce stresses. It does seem to help.at times. And other times not so I’ll take time and try and see what works.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
My daughter has seizures every day and I am wondering what oil would be good for her and she is 27
I’m sorry your daughter suffers from daily seizures. We are not doctors, just other parents who are dealing with or dealt with our child’s seizures. So we can not give you medical direction. We can however share experiences of others. We have received many good reports about using frankincense. We would advise spending a little more for a quality product and easing into use, recording feelings and results. Another resource you can look into for other peoples experience with aromatherapy is our facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/353691905370250/. I hope this helps!
Has anyone tried lemongrass? Or lavender?
Every other website I’ve found says cedarwood oil causes seizures, even in some without epilepsy. We had been using cedarwood wood oil as a tick repellant when my husband does yard work. The last few months that he’s been using it he has had a major spike in seizure activity. I just found out last week looking online that it can cause seizures so I told him to stay away from it from now on. His seizures have reduced in volume and severity, accept for one day he worked on cleaning the garage where he had sprayed himself with the oil. That night he had 2 seizures. Please be careful around cedarwood oil with epilepsy.
Thank you for sharing your husband’s story. We will add cedarwood oil to our list of triggers. As you know, each person is unique but hopefully this information can help someone else!
I’m on here just looking for aid for my 3yr old dog….he’s suffered 3 seizures within the last 2 months and this is in response to cedarwood. I TOO just read this a.m where it can be a trigger and we literally started him on that oil to deter fleas and mosquitos about 3 month ago. I PRAY this is the cause because the cure will be simple….throw it in the trash. Prayers for everyone suffering from seizures.