by Alison Angold | Qualified Aromatherapist | CIDESCO ITEC
A stomach bug or stomach flu, as it sometimes known, can come with varying symptoms, but the main ones are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Usually having a stomach bug, means that there is something in your digestive system, that needs to come out – either a virus or bacteria – and the vomiting and diarrhoea is how your body deals with this expulsion. This bacteria or virus needs to come out, but there are ways that we can ease the symptoms while this occurring, help get over the symptoms more quickly and prevent stomach flu from occurring.
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The best essential oils for stomach bugs
To best essential oils to have on hand for a stomach bug are any of the following;
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Mandarin
- Marjoram
- Orange
- Peppermint
- Petitgrain
How to use essential oils for stomach bugs
There are different ways to use essential oils, however these will have the greatest benefits and effects for treating a range of stomach issues.
Massage oil
Blend a plain carrier oil with the essential oils and massage gently into the abdomen. The essential oils will be absorbed through the skin, into the bloodstream and to the target organ where the issue is.
Apply on pulse points to inhale
A blend of suitable essential oils can be created an applied onto pulse points when needed. The blend can be made in a roller ball applicator to be carried around and used as and when relief is needed.
Diffuser/burner
This is an ideal way to benefit from the oils, either during or after illness, or for preventing illness from occurring.
I must stress at this point, that even though we are discussing the use of essential oils to treat stomach issues, the essential oils MUST NOT BE INGESTED! Each oil has a unique chemical make-up, which, for most oils can be very dangerous if taken internally.
Essential oil blend to prevent stomach flu
To prevent the on-set of a stomach bug, for example, if it is already in your house or you know that a bug is doing the rounds, then burning or diffusing any of these oils can be effective. They are all either Antibacterial or Antiviral, or both. This means that they can remove or prevent virus or bacteria which are either one of the infections that can cause the stomach flu.
- Rosemary
- Rosewood
- Tea Tree
- Thyme
- Pine
- Orange
- Lemon
- Lavender
Essential Oils For Sickness
These oils will be beneficial to use when you are actually going through a stomach bug. They will help relieve pain, reduce spasms in the stomach and prevent nausea, as well as being anti-bacterial or anti-viral to help get rid of the stomach virus. The oils can either diffused or blended into a carrier oil and applied topically. These oils are;
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Orange
- Mandarin
- Petitgrain
- Lemongrass
Essential Oils For Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can often accompany stomach flu, or can be a stomach issue that can occur on its own. These oils can help regulate bowel movements and help calm the intestines. These oils should be diluted in a carrier oil and applied topically – not ingested!
- Mandarin
- Orange
- Myrrh
Essential Oils For Nausea/Upset Stomach
Often, we may just experience feelings of nausea, rather than full on vomiting. This can result in our stomach being unsettled, which may or may not be accompanied by loose bowel movements. Again these oils are best blended with a carrier oil and applied topically.
- Ginger
- Petitgrain
- Mandarin
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
Essential Oils For Flatulence And Wind
A digestive issue that can accompany stomach flu, or be a completely separate issue on its own. Whether its due to Irritable bowel, something you’ve eaten that is irritating your intestines. Gently massage the diluted oils over the abdomen.
- Peppermint
- Bergamot
- Mandarin
Essential Oil Recipes For Stomach bugs & Sickness
Massage oil blend for sickness
Blend the essential oils, with the carrier oil and store in a tinted amber bottle. Use a small amount to gently massage the abdomen.
- 50ml Sweet Almond oil
- 8 drops Ginger
- 10 drops Orange
- 50ml Sweet Almond oil
- 8 drops Peppermint
- 10 drops Lemongrass
Roller blends for nausea
- 10ml Sweet Almond oil
- 2 drops Petitgrain
- 2 drops Mandarin
- 10ml Sweet Almond oil,
- 2 drops Ginger
- 2 drops Petitgrain
- 1 drops Chamomile
- 10ml Sweet Almond oil
- 2 drops Chamomile
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 1 drops Mandarin
Diffuser blends for stomach bugs & sickness
Essential oils can be warmed in a diffuser or burner, to fill the surrounding area. A lot will depend on what aromas the patient is able to stand without feeling too sick, so use just enough to benefit from the scent without being too overpowering!
Add the following oils into your diffuser or burner and inhale the gentle scents to relieve feelings of nausea and sickness.
Orange & Lemongrass
Mandarin & Ginger
Bergamot & Petitgrain
How do Essential oils for stomach bugs work?
Essential oils are the pure oils that are extracted from flower petals, leaves, fruit or herbs, and are so fine and pure, that they have the ability to penetrate through the skin’s surface.
Because of this, they can get to work at a deeper level in the body and target specific areas or organs of the body. The fact that essential oils can penetrate into the bloodstream and travel, means they will have more of a beneficial effect on various stomach conditions we may experience.
Each essential oil has a variety of properties or therapeutic actions. It is important to be aware of these, so you get an idea of what effect, the specific essential oil is going to have, and therefore if it is going to work.
The therapeutic actions we want to look for to treat stomach issues are;
- Analgesic – has a pain relieving effect
- Anti-acid – reduces the effects of excess gastric acid
- Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammations in a particular area
- Antispasmodic – calms and slows muscle spasms
- Antiviral – prevents viruses or kills virus
- Bactericidal – removes bacteria
- Carminative – helps prevent flatulence and relieve excess wind
- Stomachic – aids digestion and eases indigestion
The best essential oils for stomach bugs
Lets look at the best oils in a little more detail. In general, the main essential oils are;
Bergamot
Bergamot is analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral, and also relieves flatulence and painful digestion.
Chamomile
Chamomile relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, while also aiding and regulating peristalsis, through the intestines. It also helps ease indigestion and nausea.
Fennel
Cleans out intestine, liver and colon. Alleviates flatulence and constipation
Ginger
Settles the stomach, eases nausea, stimulates appetite. Ginger is a lovely warming oil, that settles the stomach when experiencing nausea or feelings of sickness. You can apply this in a carrier oil to the stomach, however often inhaling the scent of ginger is just as effective.
Lemon
Reduces high levels of gastric acid, therefore, relieving the symptoms of heartburn. Reduces bloating
Lemongrass
Lemongrass relieves indigestions/stomach bugs
Lemongrass can be used to relieve gastro-enteritis, so a very good oil to use during and for the prevention of stomach flu.
Mandarin
Expels wind and calms the stomachMandarin calms the stomach, so will be useful to ease the pain that accompanies the stomach flu
Marjoram
Eases stomach cramps, alleviates indigestion and eases constipation
Orange
Calms the stomach, aids peristalsis, relieves diarrhoea and constipation. This oil is calming to the stomach and is good to use during any stomach issues; pain, sickness, nausea. (Avoid direct sunlight when applied topically)
Peppermint
Helps with flatulence, indigestion and nausea. Peppermint is also good at relieving feelings of sickness and nausea, as it settles the stomach. Massaging in topically can be effective but inhalation of peppermint oil can also give instant relief to sick feelings (Incompatible with homeopathic treatments)
Petitgrain
Petitgrain calms stomach muscles, relieves indigestion, settles an upset stomach and alleviates painful digestionA good all-round oil for stomach issues, petitgrain helps calms the stomach muscles
(Avoid Chamomile, fennel, marjoram& myrrh, during pregnancy. Peppermint is incompatible with homeopathic medicines)
more essential oils that may relieve stomach bugs
Essential oils for indigestion
Maybe not directly related to stomach flu, but indigestion is another issues associated with the stomach that can be eased by the use of essential oils.
- Chamomile (avoid during pregnancy)
- Lemongrass
- Bergamot
- Lemon
Massage oil blend for indigestion
Blend these oils together and store in a tinted amber bottle. Gently massage to the chest and stomach as and when needed.
50ml Sweet Almond oil, 5 drops Chamomile, 5 drops Bergamot, 5 drops Lemon – good for excess acid
50ml Sweet Almond oil, 5 drops Lemongrass, 5 drops Chamomile, 5 drops Bergamot
Essential oils for bloating and IBS
Essential oils can be particularly useful for bloating which may be linked to over-indulgence, irritable bowel syndrome or excess gas in the stomach and intestines. Use any of these oil, blended with a carrier oil, (20 drops of essential oil per 50ml of carrier oil), to gently massage the abdomen as and when needed.
- Mandarin – eases bloating
- Petitgrain – relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Chamomile – antispasmodic so regulates movements in the intestines so good for relieving relieves irritable bowel syndrome and bloating
Precautions of using essential oils for stomach flu and other stomach issues
Please note the essential oils that should be avoided during pregnancy;
Chamomile, fennel, marjoram, rosemary and myrrh.
The citrus oils of orange, lemon, lemongrass, bergamot and mandarin are all phototoxic which means that direct sunlight should be avoided if applying topically.
Peppermint is incompatible with homeopathic treatments.
If ever in any doubt of the use of any of the essential oils, please consult your local practitioner or contact me for a proper consultation, or contact your doctor for advise.
As mentioned before, using essential oils to relieve stomach issues, should be a temporary measure. If you are suffering long-term or sudden changes in stomach/bowel condition. Please consult your doctor.
Purchase here;
A great basic essential oil diffuser.
Pretty essential oil burners – these are the ones I use!
Sweet almond oil – a great base for massage blends
A great starter set of essential oils.
Always store your blends in amber bottles!
Roller applicators – ideal for using essential oils on the go.
| About the Author Alison Angold is a fully qualified (certified) beauty therapist, massage therapist, and aromatherapist from the UK. She has over 25 years of experience in this industry and has worked in a variety of beauty salons, spa’s as well as running her own successful beauty and massage business. Her career has allowed her to treat many, many clients, with skincare concerns, medical conditions, and a whole variety of other ailments and issues, which has enabled her to work closely with essential oils, prescribing specific blends for these clients to help with these conditions. Her qualifications in the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, allow her to share this knowledge with others, in a safe, reliable way. |
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