Our Aromatic Allies to Defend Us in a Toxic World

For the past several weeks, we’ve been discussing the negative repercussions of the pervasive chemicals present in our world. These detrimental compounds have been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and an aggravation of various symptoms.

Knowledge about this concerning connection between toxins and our health can empower us to make informed choices and take actions to defend ourselves from harm. One way we can be proactive is by integrating our natural, aromatic allies into our lifestyle practices.

Previously, I’ve highlighted the four ways that essential oils can enhance our health and defend us from toxic effects. In this video post, our focus will be on the fourth and final way essential oils augment our resilience while living in a contaminated world. This is in relation to their ability to calm our mind-body and balance our nervous system.

Before we get started on this topic, however, we’ll quickly review all the key areas these volatile compounds effect relating to the safe detoxification of synthetic substances.

As always, all the links to the studies and references will be within this accompanying article and previous posts and sources can be found in the resource section.

So, let’s get started.

 

The Four Ways Essential Oils Enhance Our Health and Support Detoxification

Essential oils benefit our health while positively influencing the removal of dangerous compounds based on:

(1) Their biochemical properties – essential oils are anti-inflammatory, hormone balancing, stress-relieving, mood supporting, antimicrobial, a digestive aid, and antioxidants (cellular protectors).

(2) Serving as safe cleaning substitutes and wellness enhancers – we can replace chemicals for essential oils in our sanitizing products, personalized scent signatures, fragrances, and perfumes.

(3) Supporting detoxification and elimination pathways – essential oils directly impact the process of detoxification by acting as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, metal chelators, and cellular signaling molecules.

(4) Assisting with emotional balance and purging negative emotions – essential oils can calm our mind-body and balance our nervous system, allowing our bodies to better release toxins, heal, and rejuvenate.

Now that we’ve reviewed all the key areas that these therapeutic volatiles naturally benefit our elimination processes, let’s discuss this fourth aspect more.

 

Stress, Emotions, Detoxification, and Essential Oils

Your body needs to be in a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state to support healthy liver and digestive function. This allows for the safe removal of detrimental substances.

During times of stress, biochemical cascades shift to survival and the mind remains on heightened alert. If one is chronically “wound” up, constipation can ensue, which prevents toxins from leaving the body, leading to reabsorption. Furthermore, the liver can become stagnant, impeding purification pathways.

Essential oils are perhaps most well-known for their ability to induce relaxation and relieve stress. This is through their various mechanisms including:

  1. Regulating our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
  2. Buffering stress at the level of perception
  3. Balancing hormones
  4. Lowering cortisol
  5. Stimulating the vagus nerve

When the body and mind are in a calm state, our elimination pathways are more efficient.

Now, let’s review each mechanism in relationship to enhancing detoxification.

 

The Five Mind-Body Benefits of Essential Oils That Aid Healthy Detoxification

 

1. The Stress-Relieving Effects of Essential Oils on the HPA axis

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis refers to the communication between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. This intricate bidirectional feedback between our brain and the organs of our endocrine system is essential for regulating our hormones and our psychological and physiological state during times of stress.

The School of Aromatic Studies states: “Research suggests several mechanisms may underlie the effects of inhaled essential oils on the HPA axis and stress hormone levels.” These include: (1) direct activation of cortisol release, (2) compounds interacting with hormone receptors, (3) anti-inflammatory effects, preventing neuronal damage, (4) and modulating neurotransmitters that interact with the HPA axis.

Due to the fact that essential oils act on various pharmacological targets to help restore healthy HPA axis function, they can safeguard our mind-body and detoxification processes when subjected to brain and reproductive-disrupting compounds.

 

2. Essential Oils to Buffer Stress at the Level of Perception

While the biological properties of essential oils work in harmony to rebalance the nervous system and hormonal milieu, a profound and instant shift in our emotional brain and our perception simultaneously occurs.

By stopping stress at the level of the mind, we can literally halt the additional, continued biochemical insults that can occur when our nervous system is in overdrive. These include increased inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and slowed elimination.

 

3. Essential Oils for Taming Stress and Balancing Hormones

Essential oils can directly impact hormonal symptoms as well. This further helps to re-balance the endocrine disruption that can occur from detrimental chemicals.

Previously, I reviewed specific studies on clary sage, neroli, and jasmine oils to modulate female hormones and the stress response. In my practice, I take the results from research, along with my clinical experience, to implement a personalized approach. For example, I suggest clary sage oil to support women with low estrogen levels and who suffer from anxious thoughts. I have also found this oil to be helpful to many females who struggle with hot flashes, along with other lifestyle and supplement strategies.

 

4. Essential Oils to Balance Cortisol and Adrenaline Outbursts

Another area where essential oils influence the stress response and hormonal milieu is in their ability to modulate cortisol as they support brain health. This is an important part of keeping the body calm and the HPA axis regulated for proper removal of wastes and toxins.

Lavender is one of the main contenders for balancing cortisol. It also assists brain signaling, supports emotional health, boosts immunity, and relieves anxiety. In Germany it is even prescribed for anxiety due to its proven effects.

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) is another soothing essential oil with a variety of beneficial properties. Clinical research has confirmed its effectiveness in reducing stress, lowering cardiovascular hyperactivity, enhancing nervous system tone as indicated by heart rate variability, and decreasing anxiety. (A table from a review article of seven studies using BEO can be found here.)

Rose and patchouli are other options that can calm the flight and fight response and may decrease the adrenaline spikes of those stuck in chronic overwhelm.

 

5. The Vagus Nerve and Psychoaromatherapy

The final way essential oils induce our “rest and digest” state is via our “calming nerve”, the vagus nerve. This tenth cranial nerve is part of our autonomic nervous system (ANS), the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). In contrast, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the “fight and flee” part of the ANS. The SNS keeps one’s body on guard and ready to defend against threats.

Stimulating the vagus nerve is an effective means to put the body and mind into a state of restoration and repair so it can effortlessly perform its subconscious functions, including detoxification. Essential oils are vagal nerve modulators that support the vagus nerve’s influence on our physiology, psychology, and biochemistry.

The top three essential oils found in the literature to tonify the vagus nerve include lavender, bergamot, and ylang yalng. This is due to their multi-factorial biochemical, neurological, physiological, and emotional effects on the PNS.

Another blend I use for vagal tone support is the Parasympathetic® blend. This can be applied to the vagus nerve (behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone) before meals to stimulate the PNS and support optimal assimilation and elimination.

 

Summing Up: Using Essential Oils for Supporting Detoxification and Cleansing Processes

Essential oils support detoxification and cleansing in four distinct ways. This is through (1) their biochemical properties, (2) serving as safe cleaning substitutes and wellness enhancers, (3) supporting detox and elimination pathways, and (4) assisting with emotional balance and purging negative emotions.

Essential oils have an ability to enhance emotional health and decrease the impact of stress via (1) influencing the HPA axis, (2) changing our perception, (3) balancing hormones, (4) influencing cortisol, and (5) directly modulating vagus nerve tone. By calming our mind-body, our digestive and liver functions are better able to rid our bodies of toxic compounds and effectively detoxify.

As the research continues to evolve regarding the mechanisms behind aromatic-induced states of calm, essential oils complexities as medicinal agents in various areas are becoming more respected. For example, another benefit of using aromatherapy for enhancing our brain health, mood, and calming our reactive nervous system down is the feeling of safety that emerges as a result of using them. This allows for more rational response patterns to life and relationships. Inducing a safe atmosphere complements the polyvagal theory. In this way, essential oils can augment this application to modulate one’s ability to heal, grow, and release trauma in all areas of life.

What do you think?

After reading the blog or watching the video, I’d love to hear from you on how you use essential oils to support your health and to keep you safe in this toxic world.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn how to nurture your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Sending you many blessings.

 

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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay and Canva.