Top 5 Essential Oils to Reverse Adrenal Fatigue

essential oils nutrition Dec 25, 2018

In the natural health world, you hear the term “adrenal fatigue” quite often, but what does it actually mean? Adrenal fatigue is caused by chronic stress and is not really an issue of the adrenal glands. Adrenal fatigue is not a medically recognized health issue, but HPA axis dysregulation is. They’re essentially the same thing, but it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s often called adrenal fatigue.

The HPA axis the the control center for your body’s stress response. When you get stressed, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CHR), which results in the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, from the adrenal glands. This is a normal response. Your body is designed to do this.

However, in our modern world, your HPA axis is constantly being activated, as you’re exposed to stressors all the time. Examples are financial problems, traffic, work problems, chronic infections. These chronic stressors can take a toll on your HPA axis, since they are things you deal with constantly. They make you more likely to develop HPA axis dysfunction.

In our busy world your body has two modes to operate – either fight or flight, or rest and digest. Fight or flight is a sympathetic  dominated version of your body’s nervous system. And rest and digest is the parasympathetic. Your body is built to switch back-and-forth between these systems, so they balance each other out.

The parasympathetic nervous system functions to slow heart rate, store energy, stimulate digestion, and relax certain muscles. It allows the body to return to a normal and calm state after experiencing pain or stress.

The problem is is that through traumatic stressors that put you in that sympathetic state, or through chronic  stressors that keep you in fight or flight, you are never are going  back to the parasympathetic state where your body has a chance to restore. This is a problem because when you’re in a high stress state, all of your hormones go into high output. Your body shuts off things like digestion and all kinds of different processes in order for you to make the most amount of stress hormones because there is a perceived emergency happening. 

You may be wondering why this is an issue? It’s an issue because in the past you would  have times where you would be able to recover.  Nowadays these stressors go really high and never stop. That means your adrenal glands are working overdrive all the time. This leads to inflammation, hormone imbalances, gut issues, and a weakened immune system.  

You start to get sick throughout the year with colds and flu. You start having digestive issues like IBS. You have problems sleeping and you’re exhausted and fatigued during the day. Your weight starts to fluctuate. Maybe you start experiencing mood imbalances, skin issues, chronic pain or migraines. 

Luckily, there are simple and effect solutions to activating your parasympathetic nervous system and recovering from adrenal fatigue.

Restoring your body to optimal health involves many components, especially getting plenty of high quality sleep and rest. Using essential oils are a wonderful tool for calming the mind and body to reduce stress, activate your parasympathetic state, and improve sleep quality.

Here are my top 5 oils for reversing adrenal fatigue.

Diffuse and/or apply topically to wrists, bottom of feet and brain stem.

  • Lavender – stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system
  • Lemongrass – regulates the parasympathetic nervous system
  • Marjoram – tones the parasympathetic nervous system
  • Serenity – blend of calming and relaxing oils to support the parasympathetic nervous system and promote restful sleep
  • Balance – blend of calming and grounding oils to support the parasympathetic nervous system and relax the mind.

Your goal should be to try to be in a parasympathetic state as much as possible. This can be achieved by incorporating calming activities and diffusing essential oils. Trying diffusing or applying topically the oils above while enjoying any of the activities below:

  • Relaxing
  • Deep breathing
  • Yoga
  • Prayer
  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • Walking in nature
  • Reading
  • Epsom salt baths
  • Sleeping

Ready to dive deeper and start healing your body? Check out my signature program, Mind-Body Mastery, designed to guide you in restoring hormone balance and gut health. Click here for details on how you can get free access!

I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite relaxing and calming essential oil?

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