Cancer – when you hear that word from your doctor, your world turns upside down in a flash!

At least that’s how “I” feel when hearing that a friend or loved one has to endure cancer testing or treatments.  On the flip-side of that despair is usually the positive results of becoming “cancer free” that we all want for our loved ones once they have endured the panic, pain and fear of going through such treatments.  It changes and challenges our whole perspective of “living”.  Realizing the strength and fortitude of not only ourselves, but of our caring friends, family, doctors, nurses, and anyone that has given comfort and inspiration through such a physical and emotional journey is a most welcome “gem” as respect and kindness are never forgotten.

Due to popular request, and a loving request from my brother, Michael, my sister, Jody, and my husband, David, who are all cancer survivors, I wanted to discuss several of our Arlys products that have been beneficial to not only family members, but many cancer patients, both during and after their treatments.

Supportive aromatherapy can help ease tension, fear, anxiety during extremely stressful situations.  By using essential oils through diffusion, massage, healing baths, to skin care products that can help alleviate bruising issues, as well as calm and soothe dry, itchy skin and a myriad of skin issues that can erupt during cancer treatments, a bit of you takes back control of this complex disease.

What is Aromatherapy?
“Aromatherapy” simply refers to the study and use of essential oils (aromas) to help improve a wide variety of emotional, physical and spiritual issues. 

What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural plants substances, “volatile liquids”, extracted via distillation processes such as steam distillation, CO2, expression, infusions, and extractions from roots, seeds, blossoms, flowers, barks and peels.

How do Essential Oils work?
They penetrate the body in two ways – through the nose and the skin.  First –  the olfactory system, (our sense of smell), is the most direct to the limbic system of the brain  where emotions and memory functions lie and why we react to aromas before we identify them.  Second – by passing through the skin and into the bloodstream.

As an Aromatherapist, I embrace both sides of “Science” – the latest medical technology and advances available, and the complementary aromatherapy side to help deal with the emotional and/or physical side effects that may arise during treatment.  Of course, you must always discuss this with your doctor to make sure there are no contraindications with any treatment course.  Aromatherapy is not a magic bullet, nor is medical science, but merging the two together can certainly enhance a patient’s physical and emotional recovery.  You would be surprised how many doctors and medical facilities are implementing aromatherapy, acupuncture, and massage modalities into a patient’s quality of life while going through medical treatments today.

While this writing focuses on a few of our Arlys products that have made their way into helping cancer patients during their treatments, I hope you will find this writing helpful or will benefit a friend or a loved one.

Our “Sports Distance Bruise Defense Gel” comes from our Sports Care line.  A gel formulated to help diminish bruising while stimulating circulation and strengthening the vascular system at the injured areas.  It is also a soothing gel that can also be applied for minor burns and skin irritations.

However, you don’t have to be a weekend warrior to get a bruise or a burn.  Our Bruise Defense Gel does help relieve the discomfort at the bruise site, while diminishing the injured area.  Here’s a few applications that our customers have told us about in helping to relieve their discomfort from bruising from accidental falls, car accidents, soothe the burn from freeze removal of warts, skin tags, various minor burns, to soothing skin after radiation treatments, and injection/iv sites.

Our “White Feather Nurture Restorative Body Oil” comes from our White Feather Skin Care line.  For men and women, an intense, nutritive body oil blended with 100% pure essential oils and exotic botanical oils known to hydrate dry, damaged skin.  Since it is quickly penetrating to the skin’s surface, it softens deeply to gently help heal skin damage and minimize scar tissue.  Markedly diminish the appearance of scars – surgical, keloid, and even old scars, wounds, stretch marks, mature, and dehydrated skin – anywhere you need the support and restoration of your most delicate skin.

Here’s a few applications that our customers have told us about in using our “White Feather Nurture Restorative Body Oil”.  Helping to relieve their dry, itchy, skin discomfort from chemo and radiation treatments, diminishing scars from breast removal, and many types of surgical scars to minor scrapes and scars, as well as fading of old scars, and help relieve painful bed sores.

Since each of our skin-types is as unique as our DNA, you do have to try and see what works best for your skin, hair, etc. while undergoing medical treatments.  It doesn’t matter whether it comes from a doctor, a health-food store, or aromatherapist – helping to alleviate issues so that you are feeling better is the goal.

Our “Travel Pocket-Inhaler Diffusers” with essential oils added such as Peppermint or a variety of our Synergies such as Anti-Stress or Serenity are used by cancer patients.  Peppermint, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon are a few useful essential oils helpful with nausea and/or stress during treatments.  The travel pocket diffusers advantage is being small, easily put in a purse, or pocket for availability of the essential oils right at your fingertips when needed.  Just remove the cap and inhale.

There are two types of these Travel Pocket-Inhaler Diffusers available.
Sealed bottom compartments like the ones above for only one type of essential oil or synergy, or

Travel pocket inhaler diffusers with unsealed bottom compartments shown above, allow you to change out the scent whenever you feel like it.  Some people like to color code their diffuser scents so they are easily identifiable.

These are just a few aromatherapy products and essential oils available.  Be sure to speak with a qualified Aromatherapist before using essential oils during cancer treatments, especially radiation therapy.

Here at AromatherapyContessa.com we are always happy to help answer any of your aromatherapy questions or concerns.

Please email us if you have any further questions about our Arlys products.

‘til next time