Oils to Avoid - Diabetes

[The Captain]

Hi. Does anyone know the oils to be avoided for use on someone who is diabetic? I can only find angelica but need at least 5 for an assessment I'm doing!! I've searched through the internet but can't find any others and angelica isn't one of the oils on the list we use.
Thanks for any help.
x

 

[barbara v]

Hi was wondeing if anyone had given an sromatherapy massage to anyone with diabetes? does any one know if there are any oils that should be avoided for diabetes? any advise would be great

 

[alexander m]

can add cinnamon (bark and leaf) to that, as it mimics insulin - can only be taken if insulin level is well-monitored

 

[laexxumziaziulelx]

Just to let you all know that two threads on the same topic have been merged here.

Holistic
Healthypages Moderator

 

[Charlie Wonka]

You could try researching which oils (if any) have hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic effects, i guess that could be argued as a contraindication in diabetes. I'm a type 1 diabetic though and so far have never had a problem using any essential oils (although i've not tried angelica admittedly).

 

[Pompal 09.]

You know, I have always found it strange that Diabetics can be contraindicated because of their sugar levels.

I have a diabetic son and he enjoys been massaged and having Reiki done, I monitor his sugars regulary (sometimes up to 10 times a day) and I have yet to see any evidience of Reiki or massage making his sugar levels rise or fall. The only evidence of this happening is eating or exercising.

I do wonder if it a myth now that Reiki and Massage effect diabetics.

Angel x

 

[hrpyavo]

Interesting thread, both my parents are diabetic, and I have had no problems with EO's, never used Angelica. Have researched and cinnamon says not to be used if you have gestational diabetes

 

[Sammy Girl]

Thanks for your very insightful input, angel

Also, my teacher has told us today that the 'powers that be' have decided that as of this Septemnber, and for the purpose of teaching Complementary Therapy degree - diabetes and epilepsy are no longer considered contra-indications, merely things to take into account

 

[Guera]

In my experience massage does effect diabetes.....in a POSITIVE way! When my legs and feet are massaged the pain reduces and they don't feel numb, increased circulation, a bit of an issue for diabetics as i'm sure you know.
Also think of how stressful living with diabetes, especially type 1, is.....Reiki and Massage are great stress relief. To be honest i've found alot of people even in healthcare often really don't grasp whats involved with diabetes and there is alot of misinformation about.
As for cinnamon, well the spice is used in Ayurveda to lower blood sugar levels and there is research to back up that use. To me that INDICATES it's use, obviously that does increase the risk of hypo's, but then so does taking insulin or the meds.......it's not rockt science, if a hypoglycemic oil/herb is used that you are not used to, test your blood a bit more frequently.
That sarcasm wasn't directed at anyone in this thread by the way, just at the stupidity of courses telling people not to use something that could aid a person with a condition. After all, healing is what it's all meant to be about.

 

[ebenfuhdisqirmedn]

There is also an excellent article here in pdf format
http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/14/3/124.full.pdf

 

[JudyIsAPunk]

Grrr and to think of all the client's I've not treated due to diabetes.

 

[rlemquvainoifseke]

Hi, I know this is abit of an old thread but I just wanted to add something



See, I think this is a shame because, like Chole, I'm Type 1 diabetic and I love holistic treatments. In fact, the reason I got into holistic therapies was because of my diabetes, as away of relaxation and maintaing a positive mental wellbeing. I've never experienced any adverse reaction to my sugar levels because of a treatment.

Chole is very right in stating that there is a heck of a lot of misinformation about diabetes and I think it's a great shame that some courses seem to make students scared of going anywhere near a diabetic. From my perspective as a T1, you could have 20 people in a room, 19 without diabetes and one with T1, and that one person with T1 is actually the fittest and healthiest person of the lot.

Obviously diabetic complications are an issue, if you have nerve or kidney damage, etc. This does need to be thoroughly researched by the therapist and also by the person who wants the treatment, as of course, diabetes is a self-managing condition so I would expect anyone with it to educate themselves and try to personally find out what is suitable for them and what isn't. You'll find that most diabetics coming for a treatment, however, probably take very good care of themselves otherwise they would bother with holistic therapies.

Here's a good example, I went for a Reiki tretment and my local college where they teach VTCT Reiki. I was told I couldn't have an official treatment as I was an insulin-user and it went against VTCT health & safety rules. OK, so they're worried someone will have a hypo, blame the Reiki and sue them. However, the tutor (who had no personal problem with treating diabetics - and was Type 2 herself) said she'd let me have an "off the record" treatment and put me with a student who was obviously not happy to treat me (everything she'd been taught so far was to stay away from them thar diabetics, lol).

TBH, it was the worse and least relaxing Reiki session I'd ever had simply because the therapist was tense and worried that I was going to black out and become unconcious at any minute. I kept feeling the need to reassure her and make gestures to show that I was, in fact, still alive (ie, clearing my throat, adjusting my shoulders, etc) it was just plain daft. At the end of the treatment she told me there were moments when she was really worried because I wasn't moving. So even despite my best efforts, she was still obviously very nervous about performing the treatment and I personally got zero out of it.

Obviously as a therapist you want to be cautious and not take risks, so I can understand concern in regards to diabetes and obviously avoid oils that could have any negative potential and make sure your client is not suffering any related complications (not saying they can't be treated but any situation where extra due care is needed, etc) but for the most part I don't see any problems in treating someone with diabetes.

Angel - It's lovely to hear your son gets a lot of positive benefits from treatments.

xx