Cellulite (sel-u-LITE)
(Cellulite is unrelated to cellulitis - except etymologically)

Cellulite is an accumulation of old fat cell clusters that solidify, and it is difficult to dissolve or eliminate from the body. The concern is that toxins and petrochemicals tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. Cellulite is slow to dissolve, so it may take 4-6 weeks or more of a consistent protocol to see results.

Cellulitis, on the other hand, is a common, potentially serious, spreading inflammation of the skin and the tissues just beneath the skin that results from bacterial infection. It usually begins as a small area of tenderness, swelling and redness, and it may spread rapidly. As this red area begins to enlarge, the person may develop a fever, sometimes with chills and sweats. Many experience swollen lymph nodes near the area of infected skin.

Essential oils noted for use with Cellulite
Cellulite is composed of fat, cellular wastes and water, the oils used for this condition improve circulation, encourage the elimination of wastes and fluid.
Basil
Clary Sage
Cypress
Fennel
Geranium
Ginger
Grapefruit
Juniperberry
Ledum
Lemon
Rosemary
Tangerine

Typical General Protocol for Cellulite
- Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of filtered water daily.
- Exercise daily.
- Apply essential oils topically, appropriately diluted with a carrier oil, and massage vigorously 3x daily if possible.
- Bath: Fill tub with suitably warm water. Combine 1 tsp (5mL) milk with 4-6 drops of a blend such as follows. Agitate the water as you add it to the tub.
20 drops Rosemary
20 drops Fennel
15 drops Juniperberry
15 drops Grapefruit
5 drops Geranium
Combine these or a similar blend into a 5 mL glass dropper bottle.
(Purchon/Cantele blend)

Testimony
1. I'd read how the body stores environmental toxins in our fat cells to save them from being deposited in our organs. These toxins saturate the cells with a filmy layer and prevent them from taking in nutrition. If this cycle continues, we keep growing more fat cells to deal with more toxins, and we slowly get larger and larger, carrying around more and more weighty toxins and old fat cells. Then I learned that essential oils "digest" the filmy layer that saturates the cell wall, and their high oxygen content ushers nutrients into the cell. By applying some essential oils topically and taking some internally morning and night, I lost three inches in six weeks. In a nutshell, here is what I did:
- I put 10 drops Ledum in my bottle of Citrus Blessing. I used this to massage my fatty areas morning and night. I didn't dilute this, but it would be easier to apply and would have stretched it if I had. I also applied this over my liver as a cleanse. (I used the Ledum because of its use for the liver, obesity and water retention.)
- I put 10 drops of Grapefruit into a capsule and took internally that morning and night as well.
[HEO's Comment: Kurt Schnaubelt notes that his preferred use of Ledum is internally. He suggests one take 1-3 drops Ledum internally for liver regeneration.]
Grapefruit is suitable for internal use within safe parameters if such use is deemed appropriate. We feel that internal use is rarely *needed* and should only be used with respect for how concentrated the oils are. HEO does not advocate internal use of essential oils without appropriate knowledge and understanding of how to administer, for what purpose, how much, which essential oils, safety concerns and so on. In our experience, essential oils are generally more effective used topically with proper dilution or inhaled. Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D. notes that "French aromatherapy literature contains many references to using oils orally." He goes on to note that "generally 1 drop is always enough when ingesting essential oils." A potential toxicity hazard could occur when untrained people use essential oils orally and ingest too much. Keep in mind that while medical doctors or health care practitioners may prescribe essential oils for internal use, they are trained and experienced in the safe application of essential oils. It is not a matter of using "French" or "British" methods, it's a matter of experience and appropriate application.

Reference
Purchon, Nerys; Cantele, Lora, Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness, page 197.