Table of Contents
By Eric Zielinski, DC, and Sabrina Ann Zielinski
Because Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, cancer drugs that raise dopamine levels have been studied, and it’s been observed that they ease Parkinson’s symptoms. It’s logical to assume that aromatherapy can help as well, because inhaling essential oils triggers communication signals from the nose through the olfactory system to stimulate the brain to release the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as serotonin.
Interestingly, clary sage, galbanum, and lemon have all been shown to increase dopamine levels. Be sure to include these oils in your regular diffuser blends, spritzers, and aromatherapy inhalers.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) also plays a role in Parkinson’s. Valerian, lemon balm, and linalool-rich oils such as rosewood, coriander seed, magnolia, neroli, lavender, ylang ylang, petitgrain, clary sage, bergamot, and geranium are known to increase GABA levels. Be sure to include these oils in your regular diffuser blends, spritzers, and aromatherapy inhalers as well as in your topical applications. Because essential oils contain small, fat-soluble molecules, they can penetrate through the skin after topical application, enter into the blood, and cross the blood-brain barrier.
As a general rule of thumb, all of the recipes in this section have the potential to help restless legs syndrome patients as well. For people with essential tremors, we’d recommend starting slow (inhalation) and working your way up to more concentrated doses (topical application, then ingestion under the guidance of a health professional).
Copaiba and Parkinson’s Disease
The primary component of copaiba oil, Beta-caryophyllene, is known to help prevent and successfully manage inflammatory bowel disease because of its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent study, however, it was also uncovered that oral dosing helps improve motor dysfunction, guards against loss of neurons, and protects important mechanisms that are damaged by Parkinson’s in animals.
Other notable oils that are rich in Beta-caryophyllene include black pepper, ylang ylang, lemon balm (Melissa), fenugreek, winter savory, clove bud, clove leaf, and black pine.
Application: Consult with your physician about trying the Beta-Caryophyllene.
Beta-Caryophyllene Blend:
- 20 drops copaiba essential oil
- 20 drops fenugreek essential oil
- 15 drops black pepper essential oil
- 15 drops clove bud essential oil
- 5 drops lemon balm (Melissa) essential oil
Supplies:
5 ml bottle
Drop the essential oils in a 5 ml bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to combine.
Beta-Caryophyllene Capsule:
(Makes 1 dose)
- 3 or 4 drops Beta-Caryophyllene Blend (recipe above)
- 1 dose full-spectrum CBD (follow manufacturer’s instructions for dosage)
- Organic virgin coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
Supplies:
Pipette
Size 00 vegan gel capsule
Using a pipette, drop the essential oil blend and CBD into the bottom half (the longer, narrower one) of the capsule. Fill this half to the brim with organic extra virgin coconut or extra-virgin olive oil. Fit the wider top half of the capsule over the bottom half and secure it snugly. Immediately swallow the capsule with water after breakfast and/or take once or twice daily and monitor your symptoms.
Note: Do not make and store these capsules for future use. Also, this is not a long-term solution, and using it for more than four weeks at a time is not advisable. Be sure to switch up your protocol monthly and consult with your health-care provider first if you’re currently taking medications. Discontinue if adverse reactions occur.
Beta-Caryophyllene Diffuser Blend:
- 5 or 6 drops Beta-Caryophyllene Blend
Supplies:
Diffuser
Fill your diffuser with purified water as directed in the manufacturer’s instructions. Add the essential oil blend. Turn on the diffuser when you want to promote healthy motor and brain function. This works well running during the day and/or at night and can be used in an aromatherapy necklace.
Beta-Caryophyllene Roll-On:
- 12 drops Beta-Caryophyllene Blend
- Carrier oil of choice—jojoba and fractionated coconut oil absorb quickly—as needed.
Supplies:
10 ml glass roller bottle
Drop the essential oil blend into the roller bottle. Fill the roller bottle with your carrier oil of choice and shake well. Apply over your chest and back of the neck once daily or whenever you want to promote healthy motor and brain function.
Palmarosa and Parkinson’s Disease
Originating from a wild grass native to India, palmarosa offers support at your body’s cellular level. It is known as an antiseptic, an antiviral, a bactericidal, a digestive aid, and a hydrating substance.
Palmarosa may also help the brain detox and protect against PD. A pesticide called rotenone has been implicated as a possible contributor to Parkinson’s disease. In a 2018 study, mice with rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease were given geraniol, the primary component of palmarosa essential oil. The test uncovered that pretreating mice with geraniol not only protected brain cells from damage but improved oxidative stress, promoted proper mitochondrial function, and helped reduce cell death.
Palmarosa’s citrusy, floral scent is uplifting and stimulating and provides critical protection for brain cells.
Application: Try mixing the essential oils of two members of the Cymbopogon genus, palmarosa and lemongrass, together in your diffuser for a unique, refreshing aroma. Also consult with your physician about taking these oils in a vegan gel capsule with CBD.
Lemongrass and Parkinson’s Disease
A research design similar to the one described above was followed in India, but this study compared lemongrass essential oil with levodopa, a dopamine therapy commonly used to help PD patients. The brain-protecting efficacy of lemongrass was comparable with the drug, as well as the ability to reduce the presence of key enzymes such as glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase, which are markers of the disease.
What’s interesting here is that the author called out the limitations of modern Western medicine in alleviating PD, claiming that current treatments do little to address root issues and may even “accelerate further damage.” His point that “herbal medicines are now in great demand among the population in developing countries not because they are inexpensive but also for better cultural acceptability, better compatibility with the human body and minimal side effects” is well received and should be heeded by all.
Application: For a topical remedy with inhalation benefits for brain health and to reduce PD symptoms, mix 15 drops each of lemongrass and palmarosa essential oils with 2 ounces of Mama Z’s Oil Base and add in 2 doses of CBD oil (per packaging instructions). Apply over the back of the neck twice daily.
Fennel and Parkinson’s Disease
Estrogen, a female hormone, may reduce or slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease, according to Mayo Clinic research. The studies showed that women on estrogen are 40 percent less likely to develop the disease, and women with Parkinson’s who took estrogen showed improvements in memory, motor skills, and thinking. In addition, women are only half as likely to get the disease as men, more evidence that estrogen may be helpful in treating Parkinson’s.
Which brings us to fennel essential oil, which contains a complex of compounds that have the tendency to bring estrogen balance to the body.
An Iranian study observed that fennel oil protected female mice with Parkinson’s and without ovaries from motor impairment, compared to the mice who did not receive the oil therapy. If you’re a woman with Parkinson’s, you might want to consider using fennel essential oil, especially if you are estrogen deficient. The oil might also be a powerful protective therapy against the disease, but of course, more research is needed.
Application: Inhaling fennel in a personal inhaler or ultrasonic diffuser is a great place to start. Also consult with your physician about taking 2 or 3 drops in a vegan gel capsule with CBD.
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Sabrina Ann Zielinski and Eric Zielinski, DC, are the bestselling authors of The Healing Power of Essential Oils and The Essential Oils Apothecary. In 2014, they founded NaturalLivingFamily.com, the most visited website devoted to non-branded essential oils education in the world.
Well Being Journal adapted this excerpt from The Essential Oils Apothecary copyright © 2021 by Natural Living Family, LLC. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
