02/21/2018
Bath time! So I know a few of you are curious about my obsession with detox baths. Well let me share my bath recipe for tonight. I had my rituxan (chemo) today and I always like to do a bath the night of, if I have the energy, and a few times that following week. For me, the chemo actually seems to trigger a lupus flare and the more I learn about the hormones, my metabolism and the liver, the more I see the connections. My problem is autoimmune right, so my body begins this big wave of attacking cells that it thinks are dying...um hello...cytotoxic (cell killing) agents have just been pumped thru my body. My liver has to go into overtime to help filter out these dead cells along with the drug. This also starts hormone changes in balancing electrolytes because of massive fluid shifts.
My combat then is to help support the kidneys in filtration, the liver of the toxins and waste and then to support balance within the rest of my body. Earlier in my self care experiments, I read that Robert Tisserand suggested no oils for 2 weeks before and after chemo because they had the potential to actually protect the cells and not although the chemo agents to destroy the cell. I remember thinking “oh my gosh!” And for that round I didn’t use my oils. I was sicker than a dog people! One of the worst responses ever to the side effects of the drug. That follow up treatment appointment I discussed this with my physician and she said she supported me using the oils because my recovery was so much smoother that it actually prevented several other complications liver liver and kidney per my labs post treatment and she felt that my overall benefit from the chemo drug was not effected by any of the previous or now subsequent labs we’ve done. She gave me the green light and I haven’t looked back. My case is obviously different than others but do the research yourself and look at those studies. Most of them were with extremely high volumes of oils and not my little bits here and there throughout the days.
So the bath craze? I can tell you that I sleep so much better after one and usually feel recharged rather than completely sluggish for a week. Many of my friends that have seen me days after my infusions can probably attest to the fact that when I give myself a little more self love and self care, you wouldn’t know I just had a $25,000 drug infused into my body.
This aromatherapy bible site is a fun prospective on history and use of many essential oils. I particularly like the historical aspect. So I have copied some notes about my favorites for tonight’s bath.
My recipe for tonight? 1 cup Epsom salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, 7 drops bay laurel, 5 drops lemon, 4 drops sandalwood (I don’t use this one often, only when my mood is edgy and need to chill more), and 10 drops lavender.
That’s it! Now, go spread the word and take a bath!