Aromatherapy and Fluid Retention

Fluid retention, or as it is know medically oedema, is the result of a build up of water in the body’s tissues which causes swelling and puffiness.

There are three mechanisms that cause the water to move between the blood and the lymph:

• The pressure of the pumping of the heart will cause water in the blood in the capillaries to pass across into the lymph when that pressure reaches the capillaries.
• The level of protein present in the blood will cause the water to be drawn into the blood from the lymph.
• Water will also be drawn out from the blood into the lymph by the level of salt present in the lymph.

When any of these mechanisms are out of balance the result is that the water levels in the body become unbalanced with an excess of water in the lymph causing swelling and puffiness.

Depending on the underlying cause of the fluid retention there are a number of things that one can consider doing. If fluid retention is due to a high salt diet, reducing salt in the diet may be helpful. Dietary herbs that have been suggested as being beneficial include fennel, celery, parsley, garlic and onions. And drinking fennel tea may be helpful.

Fluid retention, which occurs after standing or sitting for long period of time usually, rights itself when one is able to move naturally again. Keeping the legs raised when possible and gentle exercise is often very helpful. A lymphatic drainage massage is also often very beneficial.

Essential oils can prove very helpful in getting the balance back to normal. Added to a massage oil which is then used to gently massage the affected areas upwards towards the heart is one method of use.

• Add 12 drops of essential oil blend to 30 ml of carrier oil
• Another method would be to add 3 – 8 drops of essential oil or essential oil blend into a bath or footbath

There are a number of essential oils you could consider adding to your blend when dealing with fluid retention including:

• Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis) – has diuretic properties
• Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia) — has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare ) – has diuretic properties
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) – has diuretic properties
• Cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens ) — has diuretic properties
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) — has diuretic properties
• Carrot seed (Caucus carota) — has diuretic properties
• Grapefruit (Citrus paradise) — has diuretic properties

Do make sure that you take into consideration any possible contraindications such as pregnancy with the oils used.

Blends for Fluid Retention

Blend 1	Blend 2	Blend 3	Blend 4
1 drop of Rosemary	3 drops of Juniper	2 drops of Juniper	3 drops of Grapefruit
3 drops of Geranium	1 drop of Lavender	2 drops of Cypress	2 drops of Geranium
2 drops of Fennel	2 drops of Grapefruit	2 drops of Fennel	1 drop of Carrot Seed

Juicing is another way to boost the flushing of toxins from the body and balancing fluid retention

The following juice blend is great to flush toxins from the body, boost the metabolism and balance body fluid:

•  1cm slice of fresh ginger root
•  2 sticks of celery
•  1/2 grapefruit
•  1/2 cucumber (lebanese is preferrable)
•  1/2 red radish
•  5cm sliced fresh pineapple

Add all ingredients to juicer, blend and Enjoy

Ionic Foot Detox Spa treatments also work wonderfully well for fluid retention, follow this link to learn more about Avalon Wellness Ionic Feet Detox Spa treatments

read more about Manual Lymphatic Drainage as a treatment to assist with fluid retention – extract from Health Schools Australia: Healing Massage blog for students