A number of essential oils are described as being helpful for constipation, but such information should be approached with caution. Above all, do not fall into the mistake of thinking of essential oils as a 'dose'.

The most effective application of aromatherapy for constipation is massage of the abdomen, always in a clockwise direction, and this is something that the patient can easily be taught to carry out daily at home. Experience has shown that the best oils to use for this massage are Marjoram and Rosemary, together or singly, and you can also sometimes add a very small amount of Black Pepper or Fennel. Several cups of Fennel tea daily would be a good additional therapy.

Clearly, the most important part of any treatment for constipation must be dietary. Unrefined carbohydrates, raw vegetables and fruits and all foods high in fibre, and copious drinks of water, juices and herb teas should form the major part of the daily intake, with fats, dairy products and all refined sugars and starches reduced to a minimum. The 'colon health programme' introduced by the 'Green Farm Nutrition Centre' would be a very effective way of re-educating the bowel for long-term health.

Sometimes, constipation is the result of stress, anxiety or shock, or of emotional problems, often suppressed. In such instances, aromatherapy can be used in a sensitive way to work on the underlying problems. Gentle full-body massage from a caring therapist, combined with carefully chosen oils to be used in baths between visits will reduce stress or anxiety, though if the problem is an emotional one of very long standing, it may be many weeks or months before it can be resolved. Essential oils should be related to the immediate and long-term needs of the person involved, rather than to the physical state of the gut, though gentle tummy massage and some changes in the diet can be introduced. An improvement in the physical condition will obviously raise morale and help to create the conditions of trust and confidence in the therapist, in which work at a more subtle level can take place.