Are there any interactions between essential oils and arthritis medications?

67-year-old woman5 years ago
Hello, I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I am being followed by a specialist in internal medicine. I take 20 mg of methotrexate once a week and Humira 40 mg once every 2 weeks and 5 mg of prednisone every day. I am a person who takes natural products internally and daily, which are omega 3, vitamins, minerals and calcium, which are contained in pure essential oils. I am wondering if you can tell me if there is an interaction between the essential oils and the medications I take for arthritis, especially Humira. If you want to know more about my natural products, I take them at Doterra. Thank you for your help.
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Jean-Félix Côté · 5 years ago
Hello Madam, To be able to better answer your question, could you please tell me exactly which essential oils and how you use them (applied on the skin, in capsules, in a diffuser, etc.). Also, you mention minerals and vitamins, if you would also be able to specify the product (it should be written on the bottle in the active ingredient section). Thanks!
67-year-old woman · 5 years ago
As you will see there are 6 products that I take internally every day. I have been taking them for a year and a half and I must admit that I see a big difference in my body for energy, less intense hip pain, etc. I would like to continue taking them but I wonder about the interaction with medication, especially Humira. I would like to continue taking them but I am wondering about the interaction with medications especially Humira. I am diabetic, I have high blood pressure and cholesterol as well as hypothyroidism. If you need my list of medications let me know. Here are the ingredients as requested: ALPHA CRS+ cellular vitality complex : per day internally Boswelia serrata gum extract 200 mg, Scutellana root extract 150 mg Baicalin, Milk thistle seed extract 100 mg Silymarin, Polygonum cuspidatum root extract 50 mg Resveratrol, Green tea leaf extract 40 mg, Pomegranatefruit extract 25 mg Ellagic acid, Pineapple steam extract 50 GDU Bromelain protease enzyme, Tumeric root extract 30 mg Curcuminoids, Grape seed extract 20 mg Proanthocyanidins, Seasame seed extract 14 mg Lignans, Pine bark extract 7 mg Proanthocyanidins, Acetyl-L-Carnitine 100 mg Alpha lipoic acid 100 mg, Coenzyme Q10 50 mg, Quercetin 50 mg, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract 40 mg, For 30 mg: Peppermint leaf extract, Ginger root extract, Caraway seed extract. xEO MEGA: Essential oil OMEGA complex once a day internally Cholesterol 5 mg Vitamin A as Alpha and Beta carotene 2000 IU Vitamin D3 as naturel cholecalciferol 800 IU, Vitamin E as d-cx & natural mixed tocopherols 60 IU Marine oil and plant oil: EPA eicosapentaenoic acid from fish oil 300 mg DHA docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil 300 mg Other omega 3's from fish oil 70 mg ALA alpha linolenic acid from echium plantagineum seed oil 50 mg SDA steanidonic acid from echium plantagineum seed oil 20 mg GLA gamma linolenic plantagineum seed oil 16 mg Pomegranate seed oil50 mg ASTAPURE astaxanthin from green algae 1 mg Lutein from marigold flower 3 mg Zeaxanthin from marigold flower 1 mg Lycopene fromm tomato fruit 1 mg For 120 mg: Clove bud, Frankincense resin, Thyme leaf, Cumin seed, Wild orange peel, Peppermint plant, Ginger root, Caraway seed, German chamonile flower MICRO PLEX VMz: food nutrient complex per day internally Vitamin A as a & B carotene retinyl palmitate 7000 IU Vitamin C as calcium ascorbate and magnesium ascorbate 200 mg Vitamin D as cholecalciferol 800 IU Vitamin E as natural mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols 50 IU Vitamin K as glycoprotein matrix 20 mcg Thiamin as glycoprotein matrix 3 mg Riboflavin as glycoprotein matrix 3 mg Niacin as glycoprotein matrix 20 mg Vitamin B6 as glycoprotein matrix 3 mg Folate as naturel lemon (citrus limon) peel extract orgen-FA?? 400mcg Vitamin B 12 as glycoprotein matrix 10 mcg Biotin as glycoprotein matrix 300mcg Pantothenic acid as glycoprotein matrix 10 mg Calcium 500 mg Iron as bis-glycinate chelate Ferroche 6 mg Iodine from kelp (laminaria digitata) stem and leaf powder 25 mcg Magnesium as dimagnesium malate ans ascorbate 150 mg Zinc as bis-glycinate TRAACS 15 mg Selenium as glycinate 70 mcg Copper as bis-glycinate TRAACS 0.5mg Manganese as bis-glycinate TRAACS 0.5mg Chromium as nicotinate glycinate TRAACS 50mcg Proprietary Whole-food blend. 80 mg : Kale leaf powder, Dandelion leaf powder, Parsley leaf powder, Kelp stem and leaf powder, broccoli aerial parts powder, brussels sproutimmature inflorescences powder, Cabbage leaf powder, Spinach leaf powder Active enzyme blend: 40 mg Protease, lactase, lipase, amylase, a-Galactosidase, diaatase, glucoamylase, peptidase For 30mg total: Caraway seed extract, Ginger rhizone extract, Peppermint leaf extract BONE NUTRITION : 1/2 serving per day internally (I already take 500mg of calcium in MICRO PLEX VMz, vitamin C as magnesium ascorbate 90 mg Vitamin D as cholecalciferoland ergocalciferol 810 iu Biotin as d-biotin 300mg Calcium as coral calcium 1000 mg Magnesium as magnesium chelate ans ascorbate 400 mg Zinc from yeast 9 mg Copper from yeast 200 mcg Manganese from yeast 200 mcg Boron from yeast 2 mg DDR PRIME: essential oil cellular complex (I take it internally every day to help my cells that are attacked in arthritis) For a total of 400 mg per day Frankincense resin oil Wild orange peel oil Litsea fruit oil Thyme leaf oil Clove bud oil Summer savory plant oil Niaouli leaf oil Lemongrass leaf oil DEEP BLUE: polyphenol complex essential oil (I take it internally for pain in my hips arthritis and bursitis) Frankincense gum resin extract aprèsflex 100 mg Cucuminoids complex from Tumeric root BCM95 250 mg Ginger root extract 300 mg Green tea leaf extract (75% catachins) ( caffeine-free) 100 mg Pomegranate fruit extract (30% punicalagin) POMELLA 50 mg Grape seed extract (95% polyphenols) 50 mg Resveratrol from polygonum cuspidatum root 25 mg For a total of 30 mg: Ginger root extract, peppermint lesf extract, Caraway seed extract Now here are the essential oils that I use in the evening in diffusion for my insomnia: Roman chamomile 2 drops, Cederwood 2 drops, lavender 2 drops, Petitgrain 2 drops, Vetiver 2 drops. I would like to take Copaiba internally 2 drops a day for my sciatic nerve which is constantly numb when I walk (I am being followed by a neurologist for this problem). There is also a mixture of essential oil for biting insects on my skin which includes Lemon Eucalyptus, Citronella, Lemongrass, Skimmia laureola, Catnip, Amyris Bark, African Sandalwood, Cabreuva, Sweet Orange, White Fir, Cedarwood, Hawaiian Sandalwood, Broom, Rose
Jean-Félix Côté · 5 years ago
Thank you for the very detailed message ma'am. It's a long list, I'll go through it all and get back to you with my answer shortly.
Jean-Félix Côté · 5 years ago
Thank you for your patience. It has been a lot of work, and it is good that you are asking yourself about the interactions between drugs and natural health products, because people don't tend to think about them. It would be important for you to bring this list to your doctor as well as to your local pharmacist so that they can take these elements into account when analyzing your file. First, I would like to tell you that many of the products mentioned have global effects on health but that I will only stick to their main characteristic in my analysis. As you know, Humira is an immune-modulating drug, which means that it modifies your immune system response and minimizes the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on your body. So, by logic, the health products that will "stimulate the immune system" will work in the opposite direction of your medication. In your case the following products: bowsellia, pine bark, maritime bark. It's all a question of dosage, if you feel that your arthritis is well controlled even with these products, you should still be aware that they can contribute negatively to your arthritis. In addition, the orange peels or tea leaves contained in some of your products can interact with your methotrexate. A high consumption of orange juice or tea for example would be a risk with this medication but I cannot judge the quantity of orange/tea contained in your products. Concerning diabetes, some of the natural products you are taking may slightly increase blood sugar levels, for example: niacin although it has a favorable impact on your cholesterol. As long as your blood sugar levels are well controlled, you can continue the product if you wish. Concerning hypertension, some of the products in your list may contribute to it, for example ginger. If your blood pressure is well controlled, the product can be continued but could be put aside if the blood pressure is too high. Concerning hypothyroidism, many of the oils/products you consume can intervene. It is important to space out any calcium/iron or other minerals from your Synthroid. Absorption of the medication may be greatly reduced. If you are not currently spacing products, I suggest that you discuss this with your pharmacist or physician. It will then be possible to measure the levels of Synthroid in your body and find the smallest effective dose while minimizing side effects. Before making any changes to the timing of your intake, consult a professional to avoid getting off track. In the end, you should be aware that many interactions are considered "theoretical", that is to say that it is assumed that products are not compatible based on their mode of action, but that there is still very little research on interactions with natural health products. It is important to know the difference and you can make an informed decision with your pharmacist/physician. If you need clarification or have any other questions, please do not hesitate. Thank you. Jean-Félix Côté, pharmacist
67-year-old woman · 5 years ago
Thank you for everything it is greatly appreciated, have a nice day

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