If you have ulcerative colitis (UC) , you may already be taking medications prescribed by your doctor to address symptoms and help stave off flare-ups. While biologic and small molecule medications are effective and necessary to achieve remission, many people with UC seek out complementary and integrative treatments to alleviate other symptoms, from therapy to reduce the stress that can trigger symptoms to acupuncture and herbal treatments. Aromatherapy, or the use of naturally derived aromatic oils from various plants, is one health and wellness aid to discuss with your physician.
Aromatherapy May Help You Manage Ulcerative Colitis “Studies have shown that ingredients in essential oils used in aromatherapy may have anti-inflammatory or analgesic [pain-relieving] properties, and some may help boost your mood and energy ,” says Hallie Armstrong, ND , who practices in Rochester, Michigan. “It may be that these properties can help you manage symptoms like pain and fatigue that come with UC.” Research supports the effectiveness of aromatherapy in treating a range of medical conditions. One review found that essential oils extracted from plant parts may reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms of indigestion, and treat skin infections, among other benefits.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f0d94d07-ee9a-4642-9ff4-9db542e58553 Another review found that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of essential oils may ease symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis. Studies also found that certain essential oils can improve the balance of good and harmful bacteria in the intestines and help with depression and insomnia.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290fd317dc-71ac-441c-8576-e07a140fcafb However, it’s important to note that most studies have been done in animals, so the findings may not translate to humans. More robust studies in people are needed to determine if the health claims around essential oils hold true. Still, if you’d like to give essential oils a try, they may enhance your overall well-being if used in a safe way. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns before, after, or while using essential oils.
How to Use Essential Oils for Ulcerative Colitis Most essential oils should not be ingested. Instead, try adding a few drops of an essential oil to a neutral carrier oil such as jojoba; massage that blend on the skin over your stomach. Or you can pour the oil into an aromatherapy diffuser or dab some onto your wrist and inhale the scent.
Which Essential Oils Might Help Soothe Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms? There’s some evidence that the following oils can help alleviate UC symptoms. Peppermint Oil Peppermint helps with general digestive symptoms when ingested, mostly because it has soothing antispasmodic properties. It can also ease gas and bloating , says Dr. Armstrong. In fact, a review found that peppermint oil was superior to a placebo for irritable bowel syndrome treatment. When looking for a peppermint oil supplement, Armstrong says to be sure you choose enteric-coated capsules for the best absorption.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b70a9b6b-82f9-4a85-ad0d-d18617872509 Turmeric Oil You may use turmeric when cooking — it is often found in Indian dishes — but it can also be used as an essential oil. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation, a key factor in ulcerative colitis, when ingested. Research has also found that turmeric oil offers significant anti-inflammatory properties.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c3e01e3-5921-4360-979a-50ddc291ad90 Aromatic-turmerone, the main ingredient in turmeric oil, prevented colon shortening, improved colonic tissue damage, and reduced colonic inflammatory cytokines, according to a study.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299cdd4241-dde5-4fa1-85de-7e39a8bf02f9 In another study, the combination of curcumin and qing dai, an herbal extract, lead to remission in patients with active UC.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298b0880cf-610d-42e8-84a0-123a6fd331fa And a meta-analysis published in the Annals of Gastroenterology notes that curcumin, when combined with the UC medicine mesalamine, produced a better clinical response.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294b7c4ec5-ccf3-4bb4-a3e2-4b0f754c8dbe Lavender Oil Research has shown that sleep problems, which can significantly impact quality of life, are common in people with inflammatory bowel disease.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d720f7fb-c33c-4684-b460-2b3fc00cfbc4 Some evidence suggests that lavender oil may promote better sleep. A review found that lavender essential oil was associated with improved sleep quality in people who didn’t have insomnia or other sleep disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ff37eb16-9526-4b34-98fc-bb4d141ba62a Another review examined research on the use of lavender for sleep disorders in patients with diseases ranging from cancer to neurological or psychiatric diseases such as dementia or depression. It found that lavender oil used through inhalation alone or in combination with massage may help improve sleep.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629faea81cc-2b49-403b-85b7-71e6aeb0ecd3
What to Know Before You Try Essential Oils for Ulcerative Colitis Armstrong cautions people who are interested in trying essential oils to be sure the product is pure. To find out, “release a drop on a piece of white paper,” she advises. “After it evaporates, a pure oil won’t leave a stain.” Importantly, remember that essential oils aren’t a substitute for medical intervention, so don’t stop taking medication unless advised by your doctor. Complementary therapy means that it should work alongside your medical treatments, not as a replacement for the medications your doctor recommends. Importantly, many of the options mentioned above are often most helpful at addressing additional symptoms after successful treatment of a primary issue, such as healing your colon, is achieved with medical therapies. Check with your doctor before trying any complementary and integrative treatments, including aromatherapy, says Armstrong.
The Takeaway Complementary and integrative treatments such as aromatherapy may help alleviate symptoms in patients with UC, but they are not meant as a replacement for medications or treatments. Research has shown that essential oils may help ease UC symptoms such as gas and bloating, reduce inflammation, and even help improve sleep. Check with your doctor before trying any complementary and integrative treatments, including aromatherapy. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch .
Aromatherapy May Help You Manage Ulcerative Colitis “Studies have shown that ingredients in essential oils used in aromatherapy may have anti-inflammatory or analgesic [pain-relieving] properties, and some may help boost your mood and energy ,” says Hallie Armstrong, ND , who practices in Rochester, Michigan. “It may be that these properties can help you manage symptoms like pain and fatigue that come with UC.” Research supports the effectiveness of aromatherapy in treating a range of medical conditions. One review found that essential oils extracted from plant parts may reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms of indigestion, and treat skin infections, among other benefits.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f0d94d07-ee9a-4642-9ff4-9db542e58553 Another review found that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of essential oils may ease symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis. Studies also found that certain essential oils can improve the balance of good and harmful bacteria in the intestines and help with depression and insomnia.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290fd317dc-71ac-441c-8576-e07a140fcafb However, it’s important to note that most studies have been done in animals, so the findings may not translate to humans. More robust studies in people are needed to determine if the health claims around essential oils hold true. Still, if you’d like to give essential oils a try, they may enhance your overall well-being if used in a safe way. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns before, after, or while using essential oils.
How to Use Essential Oils for Ulcerative Colitis Most essential oils should not be ingested. Instead, try adding a few drops of an essential oil to a neutral carrier oil such as jojoba; massage that blend on the skin over your stomach. Or you can pour the oil into an aromatherapy diffuser or dab some onto your wrist and inhale the scent.
Which Essential Oils Might Help Soothe Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms? There’s some evidence that the following oils can help alleviate UC symptoms. Peppermint Oil Peppermint helps with general digestive symptoms when ingested, mostly because it has soothing antispasmodic properties. It can also ease gas and bloating , says Dr. Armstrong. In fact, a review found that peppermint oil was superior to a placebo for irritable bowel syndrome treatment. When looking for a peppermint oil supplement, Armstrong says to be sure you choose enteric-coated capsules for the best absorption.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b70a9b6b-82f9-4a85-ad0d-d18617872509 Turmeric Oil You may use turmeric when cooking — it is often found in Indian dishes — but it can also be used as an essential oil. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation, a key factor in ulcerative colitis, when ingested. Research has also found that turmeric oil offers significant anti-inflammatory properties.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296c3e01e3-5921-4360-979a-50ddc291ad90 Aromatic-turmerone, the main ingredient in turmeric oil, prevented colon shortening, improved colonic tissue damage, and reduced colonic inflammatory cytokines, according to a study.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299cdd4241-dde5-4fa1-85de-7e39a8bf02f9 In another study, the combination of curcumin and qing dai, an herbal extract, lead to remission in patients with active UC.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298b0880cf-610d-42e8-84a0-123a6fd331fa And a meta-analysis published in the Annals of Gastroenterology notes that curcumin, when combined with the UC medicine mesalamine, produced a better clinical response.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294b7c4ec5-ccf3-4bb4-a3e2-4b0f754c8dbe Lavender Oil Research has shown that sleep problems, which can significantly impact quality of life, are common in people with inflammatory bowel disease.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d720f7fb-c33c-4684-b460-2b3fc00cfbc4 Some evidence suggests that lavender oil may promote better sleep. A review found that lavender essential oil was associated with improved sleep quality in people who didn’t have insomnia or other sleep disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ff37eb16-9526-4b34-98fc-bb4d141ba62a Another review examined research on the use of lavender for sleep disorders in patients with diseases ranging from cancer to neurological or psychiatric diseases such as dementia or depression. It found that lavender oil used through inhalation alone or in combination with massage may help improve sleep.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629faea81cc-2b49-403b-85b7-71e6aeb0ecd3
What to Know Before You Try Essential Oils for Ulcerative Colitis Armstrong cautions people who are interested in trying essential oils to be sure the product is pure. To find out, “release a drop on a piece of white paper,” she advises. “After it evaporates, a pure oil won’t leave a stain.” Importantly, remember that essential oils aren’t a substitute for medical intervention, so don’t stop taking medication unless advised by your doctor. Complementary therapy means that it should work alongside your medical treatments, not as a replacement for the medications your doctor recommends. Importantly, many of the options mentioned above are often most helpful at addressing additional symptoms after successful treatment of a primary issue, such as healing your colon, is achieved with medical therapies. Check with your doctor before trying any complementary and integrative treatments, including aromatherapy, says Armstrong.
The Takeaway Complementary and integrative treatments such as aromatherapy may help alleviate symptoms in patients with UC, but they are not meant as a replacement for medications or treatments. Research has shown that essential oils may help ease UC symptoms such as gas and bloating, reduce inflammation, and even help improve sleep. Check with your doctor before trying any complementary and integrative treatments, including aromatherapy. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch .
