If you’ve heard that essential oils can help reduce the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and want to learn more, you’ve come to the right place. Using essential oils for adrenal fatigue can help reduce feelings of stress and fatigue, in addition to helping you sleep better and recover faster.
Aromatherapy, when done properly, is a safe way to get a quick mood and energy boost as you take steps towards a more lasting recovery from adrenal fatigue.
What Is Adrenal Fatigue?
Prolonged or intense exposure to stress can be difficult on the body. It essentially puts your body into a constant state of “fight or flight,” which your adrenal glands cannot keep up with. They become fatigued while filling your body with an overdose of the adrenal hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can cause problems throughout the body, messing with your immune system, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.
The most common symptom of adrenal fatigue is a chronic feeling of fatigue, which does not get better with sleep, as well as mild depression, and an overall sense of low energy. It’s common for people suffering from adrenal fatigue to rely heavily on stimulants like coffee and soda to function throughout the day.
Stress can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally, manifesting in different behavioral changes. Symptoms of prolonged stress include:
- Depression
- Irritability, anger, and aggression
- Weight gain (often centered on the abdomen)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- Chronic minor ailments
- Lethargy
- Indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea
- Cravings for sweet or unhealthy foods
When you’re experiencing the physical symptoms of stress, it can be harder to be present with people you care about. You may find yourself being less social or losing patience with your loved ones. It can be harder to make decisions, which can lead to procrastination or avoiding responsibilities altogether.
Related: What are the 4 Adrenal Fatigue Stages? (And How to Feel Better)
How to Use Essential Oils for Adrenal Fatigue
You can use essential oils for adrenal fatigue in several different ways. Using an aromatherapy inhaler or a few drops placed on a cotton ball and held beneath your nose, you can breathe in the essential oil aroma for the benefits. You can also use a diffuser (we recommend this one!) to evenly distribute the aroma through your whole room for long-term benefits.
There are also many benefits to applying essential oils topically. It’s important to note that you should only apply oils to your skin directly and without dilution under the guidance of your primary physician. If you’re using oils at home, always make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil of some kind.
Whichever way you choose to use your essential oils, make sure to invest in high-quality oils from a brand you trust. If you’re taking any medications or have any allergies or sensitivities to an oil, talk to your doctor before use.
Daily Routines with Essential Oils
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can help you reduce stress, which can help limit the effects of adrenal fatigue. There are many different ways to use essential oils and you can tailor them to work best for you. Here are some ways you can add essential oils for adrenal fatigue into your pre-existing schedule.
Essential Oils Morning Routine
When you’re taking your morning shower, you can activate your adrenals by stimulating the area around your kidneys with a washcloth. After you’ve massaged them for a little while, remove your back from the water and massage several drops of a diluted mixture of either rosemary or spruce oil over your kidneys while breathing in the aroma of the oils deeply. Both rosemary and spruce oils mimic adrenal hormones which stimulate the adrenal cortex and gives you a burst of natural energy to start your day with.
Essential Oils Evening Routine
Add essential oils for adrenal fatigue into your preexisting evening wind-down routine. Use soothing oils that help to trigger your relaxation response and calm your body down, like lavender, ylang-ylang, rose, or frankincense. You can add a few drops to a warm bath, put some on a warm forehead compress, or on a heated neck wrap as you lay in bed.
Essential Oils Anytime Routine
You can use essential oils throughout the day as well if you find yourself in need of a quick energy boost. You can use an aromatherapy inhaler or an aromatherapy necklace, which contains a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a porous stone or make your own on-the-go pack by putting an oil-infused cotton ball in a small and easy to carry container. We recommend oils like bergamot, clary sage, or anything citrusy.
Best Essential Oils to Help Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
Choosing the best essential oils for adrenal fatigue is an important step in soothing your symptoms. Here are some of the most useful oils to use to give your mood a boost while letting your body relax.
Lavender
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils out there. It’s used to reduce anxiety, lower stress levels, and even soothe nerve pains. When you’re struggling to sleep or feeling anxious and restless, lavender is the perfect go-to.
Sandalwood
When you want to relax, shake off the day, and clear your mind, you want sandalwood. It has a soothing effect on both your mind and nervous system, which will leave you feeling clear-headed and chill.
Bergamot
The gorgeous and uplifting aroma of bergamot is perfect for taking away the stress and improving your mood. In fact, bergamot oil actually encourages your parasympathetic nervous system to encourage relaxation.
Copaiba
Copaiba is a less common essential oil, but it can help reduce tension and soreness that’s lingering in your body and has been found to help if you’re feeling sad or discouraged.
Using essential oils for adrenal fatigue can help reduce both the symptoms associated with the condition and the underlying causes. Incorporate them into your daily routine wherever feels most natural for you to boost your mood, promote relaxation, and take away the stress.