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Your adrenal glands manage stress. They regulate your body’s reaction to perceived threats, cuing it for fight or flight (and nothing in between). The immune system, digestive system, and even the body’s blood pressure regulation system all rely on your adrenals to keep everything running smoothly. Using essential oils for adrenal support can help support your body’s ability to manage stressful situations, whether it be related to work, family life, or other factors. Some of the best essential oils for adrenal support are clary sage, lavender, cinnamon bark, and rosemary.1
Chronic stress puts strain on the adrenal organs, which can lead to a condition known as adrenal fatigue. This state of physical and mental exhaustion is characterized by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, indigestion, and low energy levels. Untreated adrenal insufficiency can lead to serious health conditions, including autoimmune disease2. If you suspect that you have adrenal fatigue, consult with your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue (adrenal insufficiency)3:
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability/ frustration
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to fall asleep
- Feeling of depression
- Lightheadedness
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Body aches
- Nervous tension
- Salt cravings
- Hair loss
Stress hormones play a major role in your mental and physical health and adrenal insufficiency can develop if you experience chronic stress for long periods of time without relief. Identifying the symptoms and signs of adrenal fatigue is critical for preventing more serious health problems.
The health of the endocrine system has a strong connection to mental and emotional well-being. When the adrenals are weakened, the body feels anxiety, stress, or nervousness even when there is no apparent reason. These feelings can manifest as irritability, mood swings or chronic fatigue, headaches, and insomnia4.
Related: Adrenal Support: De-Stress and Unwind in Seconds With These Delicious, Non-Alcoholic Herbal Cocktails
The adrenal gland secretes hormones like cortisol and adrenaline which are responsible for the maintenance of blood pressure, heart beat, breathing rate, and metabolism. It also increases the supply of glucose to the brain by breaking down glycogen. It also secretes corticosteroids which act as anti-inflammatory agents and help in calcium absorption5.
The best essential oil blends for adrenal support are those that can increase the body’s cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and it plays an important role in the body’s stress response. It also regulates blood pressure, blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and controls inflammation. High blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and type-2 diabetes are some of the health conditions that can develop if cortisol levels remain too high for too long6.
When the body’s cortisol levels are low, it can experience fatigue, muscle weakness, decreased bone density, weight gain, and reduced resistance to infection7. The good news is that you can support your adrenal glands at home with the right essential oil blend. It’s important to remember that stress management is vital for maintaining healthy adrenal glands and essential oil therapy can help you cope.
Related: Prevent Adrenal Fatigue By Adding This Natural Mineral To Your Diet
15 essential oils for adrenal support
1. Clary Sage
Proper adrenal function is vital to your general health. In addition to managing stress levels, this essential oil can also help with reproductive function by regulating hormones naturally. Clary sage is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent with muscle-relaxing properties. It can also ease menstrual pains, digestive issues, joint pain, and fevers8.
2. Lavender
Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils on the market and it’s used to address a variety of common health conditions. Lavender essential oil can reduce your stress levels and relieve insomnia when mixed with other essential oils such as chamomile. It can also reduce migraines, ease muscle pains, and improve the quality of your sleep9.
3. Cinnamon Bark
Cinnamon bark is a powerful antioxidant that can boost your immunity and regulate healthy cell regeneration. It reduces inflammation, fights free radicals that cause aging, boosts digestion, and supports the cardiovascular system to balance your heart rate10. The adrenal cortex helps control blood sugar levels by producing hormones that regulate insulin sensitivity. This means that cinnamon bark essential oil can help you achieve healthy weight loss goals and prevent diabetes.
It also boosts the effectiveness of other essential oils, such as clary sage and rosemary. These essential oil blends are some of the best essential oils for adrenal support.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil can improve memory and stimulate the adrenal glands to increase your energy levels. Chronic fatigue syndrome can have a negative impact on your daily life, but rosemary oil can help you restore a sense of normalcy11.
5. Black Spruce
Too much much cortisol can be harmful to your body and black spruce essential oil can lower cortisol levels naturally. This essential oil has a long history of therapeutic use for respiratory health issues like asthma, bronchitis, and congestion. It can also ease headaches, improve digestion, reduce flatulence, and provide immune support13.
6. Juniper Berry
Constant stress can harm your immune system, make you feel fatigued, and reduce your mental capacity. Juniper berry essential oil can increase energy levels naturally by stimulating the adrenal glands14. It also fights throat, stomach, and urinary tract infections while reducing blood pressure levels.
7. Roman Chamomile
Antidepressant properties of roman chamomile can help you manage stress, feel calmer, and improve overall adrenal health15. This is one of the top essential oils for adrenal support, it can also reduce menstrual pains, relieve muscle aches and cramps, and ease respiratory issues such as asthma and bronchitis.
8. Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil can reduce anxiety, depression, stress levels, and relieve insomnia16. It also increases energy production, reduces fatigue, eases headaches, and protects against infection. It’s been shown to increase immunity and fight inflammation caused by allergies.
9. Black Pepper
One of the effects of adrenal fatigue is pain, especially in the lower back. Black pepper oil can relieve pain by blocking your body’s production of the substance P, which is the chemical that transmits pain signals in your nervous system. This essential oil can also reduce inflammation and fight viruses with antioxidant properties.17
10. Ginger
Ginger oil can boost your immunity, reduce inflammation throughout the body, and regulate healthy cell production without any side effects18. This is one of the top essential oils for adrenal support, it can also relieve joint pain, reduce menstrual cramps, and reduce fevers. Ginger essential oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can stimulate the reproductive system to protect you against infertility.
11. Cypress
During periods of adrenal fatigue, you may find it difficult to breathe because of a constricted airway. Cypress can help improve respiratory conditions, reduce inflammation in your lower back, and relieve pain associated with arthritis. This essential oil can also help you manage food cravings to promote weight loss goals, support digestion, and prevent stomach ulcers19.
12. Grapefruit
Citrus oils have a positive effect on your mood, which is why grapefruit essential oil can reduce stress and improve mental focus. It also boosts energy levels naturally, reduces pain, and fights viruses to prevent illness20. This oil is often used in aromatherapy because it can improve mental clarity and stimulate the mind.
13. Geranium
Geranium essential oil can reduce stress levels, ease depression, boost libido, and improve your overall mood. Hormones are reduced during periods of adrenal fatigue, which can lead to poor body image and esteem. Geranium oil can promote healthy hormone production, relieve pain and cramps, and increase energy21.
Related:The Essential Oil For Hormones Balance That Experts Recommend
14. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil can soothe your digestive system and reduce inflammation in your muscles. This is one of the top essential oils for adrenal support, it also stimulates the central nervous system to increase your energy levels, relieve headaches, and improve concentration22.
15. Lemongrass
Lemongrass oil can boost your energy levels naturally, reduce stress, stress, and headaches, and boost your overall mood23. It also has antiseptic properties that can benefit your respiratory system and reduce inflammation in joints.
These essential oils for adrenal support are an excellent place to begin. One of the best benefits of essential oils is how versatile they are. They can be used in an aromatherapy inhaler for instant stress relief, in a diffuser to freshen up the air in your home, and you can add them to lotion or bath water for relaxation.
For any topical use, it’s important to never use pure essential oils. For best results always use a carrier oil to dilute these essential oils for adrenal support,.
Recipe for DIY Adrenal Support Body Oil
- 1 ounce of sweet almond oil (or any carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil)
- 10 drops of essential oil (any oil from the list)
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. If you’re using lotion instead of oil, add the mixture to a bottle and shake well. Store in a cool, dry place.
You can also put a few drops of this oil on your palms and cup it over your nose to take a deep breath whenever you feel adrenal fatigue symptoms. Repeat as needed to instantly relieve mild anxiety and stress.
Some of the best ways to prevent adrenal issues are through lifestyle changes and eating an anti-adrenal fatigue diet to nourish your whole body. Healthy fats and ample vitamin D intake are the first steps toward recovery, but dietary changes make a big difference. By adding these to your diet, you can boost energy levels, reduce stress, fight infections, and prevent adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal burnout can lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and even heart attacks. With the right diet and lifestyle changes, you can avoid this dangerous condition and support your adrenal glands for optimal health. Adrenal fatigue recovery is possible with simple dietary, lifestyle, and supplementation changes.
The use of essential oils to support your overall health and wellness can be a great benefit to your life and health during these demanding times. Emotional stress is common these days, and it’s important for your adrenal glands to stay strong. Essential oils can be a great way to help manage your stress levels and reduce the effects of adrenal fatigue.
The recipes we’ve provided should give you some ideas on how best to use essential oils for this purpose, depending on what type of oil or lotion is most accessible. Remember that always using a carrier oil when applying any topical application will allow the benefits from the essential oil to reach deeper into your skin as well as make it easier for those around you who may not want exposure to pure fragrance. We hope these tips have been helpful! If they weren’t enough, feel free to contact us at any time with more questions about our products or services.
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