Palliate |Natural Pain Relief at its Finest
There are so many different pain relievers on the market today. It is hard to know what to choose. I know for most of my life aspirin or similar items were the obvious choice. I wouldn’t second guess them. I know that I am not alone here. They have their place and they are effective! But they can also be very taxing on your liver, an organ that already has a gigantic job to do day in and day out. So in my never ending quest for natural remedies and overall wellness, I eventually began to learn more and more about my options. My mind began to wonder what I could do to support my liver but still find relief. The obvious starting point was to opt out of the very normalized “pill popping”. So I simply went without. If I had a headache or muscle soreness etc., I would just handle it. This went on for many years. But as I got older, and began to enter into the world of aromatherapy more seriously, I opened an entirely new world of possibilities. And of course, discovered natural ways to relieve discomfort.
Flash forward to my second pregnancy. My first was a breeze. I felt amazing through all of it. My second however… I suppose the pain cave sums it up nicely. Now, I want to be careful here because I want to emphasize that essential oil use during pregnancy can be controversial for some. I personally do not recommend consistent use of essential oils during the first trimester, and limited use after that. However, occasional use of some oils can certainly be beneficial for the mother from the second trimester on, in my experiece. This makes me think that I need to write more on that topic soon! That being said, I had constant back and hip pain. I wasn’t comfortable with taking any over the counter medications while pregnant. My husband was at a loss how to help me. Eventually I bottled Palliate.
She was created out of a need for a natural way to support my ever changing body, and she turned out to be useful for so much more. My husband even swears by her for any sore muscles or tired joints. This blend inspired me to really begin to think about creating my own aromatherapy products so that I could help others. Once this blend was made and used repeatedly it was a revelation for me as an aromatherapist. We can do so much from our own homes to support ourselves and reserve more serious medical care for the times that we need it and for those who need it more acutely. So here we are. I’ve begun to create and share the products that I know work for us and that I have cultivated a relationship with. I hope that you are able to as well.
I wanted to touch briefly on her ingredients so that you get an idea of what this blend is all about. You can keep reading below! I know it can be daunting to buy something you have never tried, and in this case, smelled. I have also linked places where you can buy quality carrier and essential oils below if you’re interested in the DIY process. If not, this blend is in my Shop, and the work is already done for you!
Palliate has a base of my handcrafted Arnica Oil. Arnica oil is NOT an essential oil. Rather, I have taken organic dried Arnica flowers, covered them in Jojoba Oil, sealed them up tight and allowed them to infuse for two months. As I like to say, there is no rushing Mother Nature. Arnica is not new on the scene. In fact, you can find many Arnica based products in health food stores. Arnica is well known and documented for her ability to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and promote skin healing. So it was an easy choice as my base. Base oils, also known as carrier oils, are also used to dilute essential oils so that they can be safely applied to the skin. More than that, they can also enhance penetrability of the essential oils through your skin. They are not benign either. They offer a whole host of benefits on their own.
So what gives this oil her blue-ish green color? Blue Tansy as well as the Yarrow in this blend have a rich, deep blue color when in essential oil form. It comes from its natural component, chamazulene. In the massage world, many of us are very familiar with blue oils and their pain relieving effects. Chamazulene is a powerful antioxidant as well. Many use her in their skin care routines for this reason.
Energetically Blue Tansy can calm worries and soothe, much in the same way she can calm irritation in the tissues. She is distilled from sweet yellow flowers and therefore gives us a sense of caring. Flowers can represent new growth, support and calming the mind. Her aroma is sweet, herbaceous and yet has a hint of camphor. You can also find Blue Tansy Here.
This is a synergistic blend of Yarrow essential oil that is in a base of cold pressed pomegranate seed oil. Like blue tansy, it also possesses a deep blue color that is so beautiful. Yarrow itself is multifaceted. You will see me use it in herb form in other products because she wears so many hats. She is very skin friendly, and boasts the ability to soothe inflamed areas while encouraging natural repair. Many of her pain relieving talents come from her ß-caryophyllene content. Rich in Ketones, Yarrow offers analgesic and antispasmodic properties as well. Pomegranate oil is often used in skin care and adds protection for the skin.
Energetically, Yarrow, is wonderful for cooling hot emotions and overall mood. She is distilled from the flower as well as the leaves of the plant again, offering us a sense of support and pause. Interestingly Yarrow has been used historically by soldiers on the battlefield to dress wounds (Metzger, 2017). Her healing values are noted in both physical and spiritual wounds. She is rich in history and lore.
Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
Different from true Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Spike Lavender offers relief from pain and spasms among other things. She is great for soothing sore muscles, cramps, and headaches. Her aroma is not quite as sweet as Lavender. I would call her more herbal and camphorous. Energetically she is uplifting and confident, helping to support you through the finish line.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
In the Palliate blend, Peppermint is meant as a cooling agent. Oftentimes, when we are dealing with pain and inflammation the area is warm and sensitive. Peppermint is interesting in that when she is used in low doses she can be quite cooling because she constricts the blood vessels. In high doses however, she actually can warm tissues by dilating blood vessels. She is used in a low dose here for safety. Alongside cooling, she too can provide pain relief, and offer anti-inflammatory qualities due to her menthol content. Peppermint is traditionally a wonderful remedy for headaches though is one of the oils of concern during pregnancy. So as always, please consult with a clinical aromatherapist or other knowledgeable expert in the field when considering use during pregnancy.
Energetically you can imagine that Peppermint is uplifting and invigorating as she stimulates your central nervous system.. She can stimulate new ideas and creativity, reduce fatigue and even sharpen your focus. Though in this blend, she is subtle. Her aroma is medicinal, fresh and penetrating.
Have I peaked your interest? The Palliate blend truly is a powerhouse for the body without overpowering the body itself. It is one of the reasons that I love herbs and oils to the extent that I do. There is support for your body. You can find pain relief that is effective and safe. Be sure to check her out in the shop.
Please see references and notes below if you’re looking for more information. And if you’d like more interaction, you can find me on Instagram, and TikTok. I hope you’re well!
Blessings,
Courtney
References & Notes
Adding Yarrow To Your Materia Medica
Metzger
https://theherbalacademy.com/yarrow-materia-medica/
Notes:
SAFETY & WARNINGS
Non-toxic, non-irritating unless oxidized. According to Essential Oil Safety by Tisserand and Young (second edition), oils containing chamazulene could present a theoretical risk in that it could inhibit drugs metabolized by CYP1A3, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 such as antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, and some chemotherapy drugs.
