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Page 56
| to six drops of one of the essential oils mentioned above to a cup or two of water. Soak a soft cloth in the water, wring out and apply over areas that hurt. One of my favorite headache remedies is to place a compress on the forehead and a second one under the neck. Most people prefer compresses cold, but you can use them warm or alternate cold and warm compresses, depending upon what feels best. |
| St. John's wort and arnica relieve muscle tenseness, inflammation and nerve pain. An excellent way to apply them is in a massage oil rubbed directly into sore areas. For extra relief, mix in an essential oil. A heating liniment, such as Ben-Gay or Solarcaine, also relieves tight muscles. For an herbal alternative, turn to Chinese Tiger Balm or a similar formula, available at natural food stores, made from peppermint or menthol, eucalyptus or other heating herbs. The muscle relaxants dissipate blood and inflammation while heating oils in liniments warm the area by bringing blood to it. Experiment with both to see which works best for you. |
| Two to five drops of relaxing essential oil can also be added to the bath. Most people with CFS find that hot water itself provides considerable pain relief. For added benefit, dissolve a half cup of muscle-relaxing Epsom salts in the water. And, while you are getting a massage or relaxing in a hot tub, listen to calming music that is 60 beats per minute, such as Brahms. It has been found to lessen pain, reduce anxiety and even lower blood pressure, according to research from Bulgaria. If you are prone to migraines or circulation headaches, try a hand bath with a couple of drops of lavender oil in it to short-circuit the pain by increasing the temperature of your hands by 15 degrees. |
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