Laxative Aromatherapy Blend
Safety first
Familiarize yourself with aromatherapy and do a skin patch test before using any essential oil. Learn what you need to know with the ultimate Aromatherapy for Beginners Guide at:
As always, consult a trusted healthcare practitioner before trying any essential oils.
See below for contraindications and age requirements before trying this blend.
Remember, children are given lower amounts - see dilution chart mentioned below and always mind age requirements of all oils.
The Blend
1 drop of Bergamot (C. Beragmia)
1 drop of Fennel (Sweet) (F. Vulgare)
1 drop of Lemon (C. Limon)
Optional : For a purgative effect, USE ONLY Cistus (C. ladaniferus) and none of the other 3. Mind proper dilutions using chart mentioned below. If cistus only is not enough, do equal parts fennel and cistus minding proper total dilution ratio according to chart mentioned below.
Recommended Dosage & Length of Usage
Can use up to 4 times a day for the duration of the constipation (typically no more than 3 days).
Why It Works (Actions):
Laxative - Essential oil that loosens the bowels and relieves constipation: Bergamot, Fennel, Lemon
Purgative - Essential oil that loosens the bowels and relieves constipation: Cistus
Methods of use:
All methods of use as mentioned in the base recipes guide @ Magic Mamas’ Collective which can be found here: magicmamascollective.com/aromatherapy-apothecary/from-salves-to-sprays-the-ultimate-compilation-of-base-recipes-in-aromatherapy
See the dilution ratios for adults & children here: magicmamascollective.com/aromatherapy-apothecary/essential-oil-dilution-chart
Cautions & Contraindications
A note about toxicity: toxic constituent refers to the constituent that can become a toxin in your body if used longer than the recommended time or used more than the recommended dosage.
Bergamot - The toxic constituents are methoxypsoralen and furocoumarins. Extreme care should be taken with topical application, because its bergaptene content can cause abnormal skin pigmentation and possible skin cancer when exposed to the sun. This action is intensified if the bergamot is blended with alcohol. For this reason, some authors recommend avoiding its use during pregnancy and when nursing. All sunscreens containing bergaptene are banned in Europe. Shirley Price recommends avoiding exposure for at least two hours after using a 1% dilution. We recommend avoiding exposure for at least 12 hours regardless of dilution, as ultraviolet light exposure is increasing with the continued depletion of the ozone layer. Do not use at the same time as photosensitizing drugs, as the bergapten content can compound photosensitizing effects and increase the risk of side effects.
Fennel (Sweet) - Its toxic constituents are methyl chavicol, anethole, fenchone, pinene, and phellandrene. Both sweet and bitter fennels are contraindicated orally for anyone with nervous system problems, epilepsy, or estrogen-related disorders, including estrogen-dependent cancer and endometriosis. Although fennel has historically been used for colic for infants, avoid fennel essential oil for infants or young children because of the possibility of laryngeal spasm, dyspnea, and its potential to overstimulate the nervous system. For infants and young children, use an infusion made with fennel seeds to dilute milk or juice instead. It is contraindicated during pregnancy. Do not use for more than three weeks. E-anethole is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil, comprising most of the essential oil. Methyl chavicol is a phenyl methyl ether constituent found in fennel essential oil. E-anethole, and methyl chavicol have demonstrated antiplatelet activity in research. It is important to check the levels of these two constituents in any fennel essential oil before use. Any essential oil with more than 5%, E-anethole or methyl chavicol should be used with extreme care and never orally where these conditions exist: anticoagulant drugs, surgery, childbirth, peptic ulcer, hemophilia or other bleeding disorders. Always check the safety precautions for each oil and follow the administration guidelines and dose and duration. Duration of exposure is as important as concentration. This is an important safety consideration throughout your studies. Always consider dose and duration whenever you use essential oils.
Lemon - The toxic constituent is furocoumarin, which can cause irritation and sensitization, and may be phototoxic. In an expressed oil there is generally a higher amount of furocoumarins than in a distilled oil. In the European Union the concentration of expressed lemon oil in a finished cosmetic product must fall below the permitted level of one part per million (ppm989). Use in moderation and stay out of direct sunlight when expressed lemon oil is used on the skin.
Cistus - It is nontoxic and is not irritating to skin.
Age Requirements
Bergamot: 2+
Fennel: 6+
Lemon: 2+
Cistus: 2+
