Aromatherapy for Adrenal Support - Using Essential Oils to Help Adrernal Fatigue

Are you feeling tired all the time? Morning esspresso not giving the same lift it used to? Getting that feeling that you've been worn thin by your busy schedule, and you're just not recovering? These may be signs of depleted adrenal glands - a syndrome known as Adrenal Fatigue. Thankfully, a few commonly-available essential oils can offer support in regenerating over-tired adrenal glands.

What is the syndrome of Adrenal Fatigue?

The adrenal glands are your body's most important part of the endocrine system for dealing with stress. These tiny glands, each about the size of a walnut and the weight of a grape, sit atop each kidney. These glands produce important hormones such as cortisol, a controller of your energy output, and pregnenolone, the precursor from which the body's steroid hormones are made, including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, and the estrogens. Pregnenolone is has been shown to be a powerful memory enhancer - it will make you smarter (possibly), it also brings about feelings of well-being (hopefully) and can enhance your ability to deal with stress. Low-output adrenal function can have a variety of common health symptoms, including insomnia and depressed immune system function.

Many lifestyle factors can contribute to adrenal fatigue, and generally these can be lumped into the category of too much stress. Too little sleep, poor eating habits, to little time for play and family life, surgery, illness, injury, and the excessive use of caffeine are a few common causes. Modifying these 'habits' are of critical importance for long-term regeneration of the adrenal glands and returning their hormonal output to normal levels. Thankfully, adrenal gland-supporting essential oils can be helpful in bringing balance and assisting in restoring adrenal output in mild-to-moderate cases of adrenal fatigue. Using these oils may enable 'breaking the cycle' of stimulant and sugar use that created the problem in the first place.

The Essential Oils

Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy to support adrenal gland function. Some are used specifically for adrenal gland regeneration, and others are used to give a gentle lift when needed during the healing process - again, these can be of particular help when reducing stimulant consumption. These essential oils are best diluted in a carrier oil and applied to the skin, and are not to be taken orally.

Spruce Essential Oil: Spruce (and also Canadian Black Spruce) is thought by respected aromatherapists to support depleted adrenal glands, and is added to blends which can be applied to the skin over the adrenal area, or in lower dilutions in a body lotion.

Pine Essential Oil: Pine oil has been called one of the most effective oils for fatigue. This oil can be blended with Black Spruce for a synergistic effect on adrenal function.

Cedar Oil: Atlantic Moroccan Cedar can gently stimulate the body's metabolism without letdown. Unlike the regenerating effect of the Spruce and Pine needle essential oils, Cedar oil can provide a long lasting stimulation without the side effects of harsh stimulants.

Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint oil is associated with many healthful effect; it's aroma is clarifying and uplifting. As with Cedar Atlas, it is added to adrenal formulas for mild stimulation and metal clarity.

Citrus Oils such as Orange, Bitter Orange, Lemon and Lime - These oils cold-pressed from the peels of these fruits are considered to uplift and bring about a light attitude. These oils also have a relaxing effect - this combination can lower stress levels - the primary culprit of adrenal fatigue.

Essential Oil Recipes for Adrenal Gland Support

This essential oil blend is to give regenerative support without any actual stimulation. The oils in this recipe are fine for continued use, and may have an effect in a relatively short period of time. For a 30 milliliter blend, use 1 and 1/2 black spruce and an equal amount of pine oil in 27 milliliters of hazelnut oil. You may of course double all the amounts for more. To use, apply topically to the kidney area one to three times daily.

These same essential oils may be used in a gently stimulating body oil blend: Three milliliters of both spruce and pine essential oils plus two milliliters of Atlantic cedarwood essential oil and another two milliliters of a citrus oil of your choice. Add this to four ounces of hazelnut or other carrier oil of your liking. Use this all over after a shower. Caution should be used, however, as the citrus oils can be photosensitizing; do not apply to areas that will be exposed to direct sunlight in the following two days.

Peppermint may be used instead of, or even in addition to, the citrus essential oils. You may enjoy this blend: six milliliters of spruce oil, two and one half milliliters of cedarwood oil plus one and one half milliliter of peppermint in four ounces of hazelnut oil or your favorite carrier. This combination, if used without the citrus oils, will not be photosensitizing and can be used all over the body.

Aromatherapy Can Help!

These aromatherapy blends have fantastic aromas, and can provide support with mild and moderate adrenal fatigue. The underlying causes of this condition must be addressed at the same time for long-lasting results. This usually means reducing caffeine intake, dietary modifications, and creating balance through exercise, friends and family, and taking time for one's self.

Misty Rae Cech, ND, has a private professional practice in the Denver/Boulder area. She untilizes essential oils in her practice, finding their wonderful properties to support her clients' healing. She is the owner of http://www.anandaaromatherapy.com and http://www.anandaapothecary.com.