Cellulite is a condition of the skin that primarily affects women. The skin where cellulite exists is dimpled and lumpy, hence it's said to look like an orange peel. The reality of cellulite for women is that beginning even before menopause, we start to experience a decrease in estrogen and blood flow. By way of relaxing, smoothing, and dilating blood vessels, estrogen is able to promote good blood flow, but decreased levels of it can impact circulation to the bottommost layer of our skin, the layer of subcutaneous fat and connective tissue. The connective tissue consists of collagen and elastin allowing this fatty layer of skin to be binding, supportive, protective, and insulating.
Decreased levels of estrogen, besides reducing blood flow to the subcutaneous layer of skin, can also reduce the tone and firmness of the connective tissue that resides there, increase the size of fat cells that are enmeshed in the connective tissue, enlarge fat deposits out of their connective tissue framework, and cause the deposits to be pushed upward into the dermis layer of skin.
Even an excess of estrogen can be implicated in the formation of cellulite because of its ability to add to fat stores.
Not only poor circulation of blood can contributes to cellulite but improper movement of lymph can help create it, as well. When lymph moves poorly (or not at all), it causes fluid retention, inflammation, fat accumulation, and a thickening and scarring of connective tissue. We become ripe for cellulite.
We may look to our diet guarding against weight gain and adding certain sources of phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) for better estrogen balance. Consider phytoestrogenic foods and herbs such as:
Whole Grains and Seeds: oat, wheat, and rice; buckwheat, flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds.
Beans: red kidney beans and red lentils.
Leafy Greens: cooked broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, and nettle.
Fruits and Berries: blackberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, plums, and strawberries.
Oils: olive, sesame, wheat germ.
Roots: beet, burdock, carrot, dandelion, and potato.
Garlic.
Herbs: dandelion, fenugreek, nettle, and red clover.
We may look to Circulatory and Lymph stimulants to keep the subcutaneous fat layer provided with nourishment and relieved of fluid and toxic waste.
Consider Cayenne Pepper: for the blood Cleavers Liquid Extract: for the lymph.
We may avoid a sedentary lifestyle since our lymph moves when we do.
We may consider Gotu Kola Liquid Extract for improving the condition of connective tissue.
. . . and we may apply Cheryl's Herbs Cellulite Blend (custom order) topically.
Do not use herbal products to replace necessary care by a qualified physician.
Other helpful options include.
Lemon essential oil promotes circulation, helps relieve lymphatic congestion, is astringent (toning and binding) and cleansing. Additionally, it has a lipolytic effect, meaning it helps break down fat.
Tested at low dose non-toxic, skin irritant, may cause dermatitis, some sensitization. Because it's phototoxic, do not use on skin exposed to sunlight.
Cypress essential oil also promotes circulation, helps relieve lymphatic congestion, is astringent (toning and binding) and cleansing.
Tested at low dose non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy, with high blood pressure, with uterine or breast fibrosis, and with cancer.
Juniper essential oil is a lymphatic decongestant and diuretic.
Tested at low-dose generally non-toxic, non-sensitizing. May irritate skin; a rubefacient so avoid extensive use on delicate skin. Avoid during pregnancy, with kidney disease, and with acute kidney or bladder infection.
Rosemary essential oil promotes circulation. It's a mild diuretic. As a strong astringent, this essential oil helps tone and bind and may ease congestion.
Appears at low dose non toxic, no-irritant, and non-sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy and with babies and children. Avoid with high blood pressure and epilepsy.
Fennel essential oil is a lymphatic decongestant, mild diuretic, and imitates estrogen.
Tested at low dose relatively non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. Avoid use on hyper-sensitive, damaged, or diseased skin. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation and with babies and children. Avoid use with endometriosis or estrogen-dependent cancer.
Aloe Vera is renowned for its skin soothing and healing properties. It also helps moisturize and hydrate the skin.
SOURCES: Sylla Sheppard-Hangers' The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual, Gabriel Mojay's Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Wanda Sellar's The Directory of Essential Oils, www.scientificamerican.com, www.everphi.com, www.lumenlearning.com