Top 5 Essential Oils For Adrenal Support

Do you know the difference between a bear and a bill collector?

Of course you do!

But… does your body? It may surprise you to learn that your body actually does not know the difference!

Your body’s stress response — the thousands of hormone and chemical reactions that take place in fractions of a second — is exactly the same whether you’re being chased by a bear in the woods or having a stressful conversation with a bill collector. Stress is stress.

The moment your brain perceives a threat, it sends unconscious signals all over your body. Do you stand and fight the threat (bear, bill collector, suspenseful movie) or do you run away from it?

You physically feel that response. Your heart rate increases, your vision and hearing become clear and sharp, your muscles tense and prepare to act… even a stuffy nose will suddenly clear as your body prepares to take in more oxygen to fight or flee from the perceived threat.

It is normal and healthy to have these responses… when the threat is real.

Yet, many people live in this “fight or flight” mode all the time, even when there are no bears in sight.

Cortisol, produced in the adrenal glands, is just one of the the stress hormones released during that stress response. The right amount of cortisol is beneficial. But when under constant stress, the adrenals are producing cortisol constantly.

Too much cortisol wrecks the immune system, inhibits proper digestion, robs the body of minerals and protein, and prevents the body from renewing and healing itself. Too little cortisol also causes a host of issues, including a heightened histamine response, fatigue and/or “crashing”, and anxiety or nervousness.

Common symptoms of adrenal insufficiency/adrenal fatigue/HPA axis dysfunction include:

• weak immune system/recurrent infections/frequent illness
• low energy during the day with a spike of nighttime energy
• salt cravings
• inability to handle stress
• reliance on stimulants, like sugar or caffeine, to get going or maintain energy throughout the day
• dizziness when standing (postural hypotension)
• frequent urination
• low blood sugar/hypoglycemia
• low libido
• weight gain, especially around the middle
• anxiety and/or depression

Other symptoms:

• food, seasonal, or environmental allergies (especially if your environment is unchanged)
• lower back pain
• back cramps during menstruation
• under-eye circles
• brain fog/memory problems
• headaches

Not. Fun. At. All.

Adrenal insufficiency/HPA axis dysfunction can literally make you feel like a completely different person, wishing for the “old you” to come back.

Top 5 Essential Oils For Adrenal Support

So, why should you include essential oils for adrenal support and healing?

Due to concentration, [the essential oil] contains virtually all of the plant’s beneficial nutrients, oxygenating molecules, amino acid precursors, vitamins, trace minerals, enzymes […] and more. Moreover, because they are concentrated, essential oils are from fifty to seventy times more therapeutically potent than the unfermented herbs or plants they are derived from. Unlike dried herbs that can lose up to 90 percent of their nutrients and oxygen molecules, essential oils do not. (Source.)

And now, here are the top 5 essential oils for adrenal support!

#1 — Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

There are over 40 species of spruce, but not all of them have healing or therapeutic benefits like black spruce. This essential oil is steam-distilled from the bluish-green needles of the black spruce, which is native to Canada.

Many aromatherapists rely on black spruce essential oil for depleted adrenal glands because of its warming, energizing effects (source).

According to Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, the polycyclic terpenoid compounds in Black Spruce have a tonic effect on adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands, thus encouraging hormonal equilibrium. The most notable are its effects on the adrenal glands, which makes it a wonderful oil to combat chronic lethargy, especially in winter months. (Source.)

To use: Mix 2 to 3 drops with a carrier oil and massage into the lower back. Diffuse and/or do a steam tent to inhale. Mix with pine essential oil (Pinus sylvestris) for warmth and energy, either in a diffuser or in a roll-on (with a carrier oil). Place one drop on the Kidney 1 acupressure point (see reflexology chart below) on each foot, undiluted, one to five times per day.

#2 — Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is such a balancing essential oil… It could easily be included on any “Top 5” list!

For the adrenals, however, lavender is extra balancing. When those late-night bursts of energy happen — as is so common with a dysfunctional HPA axis — lavender is relaxing and soothing. Furthermore, lavender helps dispel the “fight or flight” response that many adrenal exhaustion sufferers can’t seem to turn off.

Lavender can also help shut off the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (when the body is at rest). This “universal oil” is excellent for stress relief, restlessness, and nervousness (source).

It is recommended to close your eyes and deeply inhale lavender essential oil straight from the bottle during stressful times and sleepless nights.

To use: Add to a relaxing room spray and spritz when needed. Place a drop or 2 on your pillowcase at bedtime. Add several drops to an evening Epsom salt bath. Diffuse alone or with other calming essential oils, such as frankincense, pine, or peppermint. Apply 1 or 2 drops, undiluted, to the Kidney 1 acupressure point in the evening or whenever you feel anxious. Inhale straight from the bottle as needed.

#3 — Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

Comforting and soothing, nutmeg essential oil supports both the nervous and endocrine systems — necessary to shut off that fight or flight feeling as well as support hormone balance.

It actually has corticosteroid activity in the body, so it supports the adrenals and helps them heal (source). Anecdotal evidence supports this.

Nutmeg is well-known for assisting adrenal gland function. This oil has adrenal cortex-like activity, meaning it supports the adrenals for increased energy. It also helps to balance both the nervous system and the immune system. (Source.)

To use: Diffuse alone or with another complementary oil, such as clove. Combine with another adrenal-supporting oil, like frankincense or black spruce, in a roll-on with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil) and apply to the lower back. One drop of nutmeg oil can be rubbed into the inside of the cheek up to once per hour for quick absorption and delivery.

#4 — Pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Pine essential oil is energizing without being overly stimulating. Therefore, it is very helpful for those who are in full adrenal burnout or who have chronic fatigue syndrome. Pine is revitalizing and therefore effective against fatigue.

Since a weak or compromised immune system often goes hand-in-hand with adrenal fatigue, pine may be beneficial for strengthening the immune system.

To use: Apply 1 or 2 drops, undiluted, to the bottom of each foot upon rising. Diffuse alone or with other adrenal-supporting oils, like lavender, black spruce, and/or frankincense. Inhale straight from the bottle as needed.

#5 — Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

The healing properties of this sacred essential oil are unparalleled, specifically for adrenal exhaustion. Frankincense essential oil is effective for imbalances of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis as well as calming the nervous system.

It can help with many of the common adrenal fatigue symptoms, such as insomnia, difficulty concentrating, depression, and anxiety (source).

To use: Place one drop on the Kidney 1 acupressure point (see reflexology chart below) on each foot, undiluted, one to five times per day — with black spruce essential oil, if desired. Add to a relaxing evening bath, with Epsom salts, if desired. Diffuse alone or with any of the other essential oils for adrenal support. Dilute frankincense 1:4 with a carrier oil (such as such as fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil) in a roller bottle and roll on over the kidney area of the lower back as often as desired.

More Than Essential Oils…

Although essential oils are wonderful to support your body, including your adrenals and the entire HPA axis, you’re not likely to heal completely with essential oils alone.

Most often, lifestyle choices are what begins the cascade of symptoms associated with HPA axis dysfunction. You can apply essential oils all day, however, if you don’t make some serious lifestyle changes, you’re unlikely to experience deep and true healing.

In general, stress (bear or bill collector) is what got your adrenals into this mess. Therefore, a serious reduction in stress is what’s going to get you out. This includes…

Prioritize Sleep

Did you know that your body actually gets better, deeper rest before midnight? It’s true… Even if you’re getting 8 hours of sleep each night, the time you go to bed matters when it comes to the quality of that sleep. In fact, sleeping from midnight to 8:00 a.m. is not as restful or healing as sleeping from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.!

Ideally, you’re in bed, asleep no later 10:00 p.m. and waking between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

Reduce Or Eliminate Stimulants

Can’t function without that morning cup of coffee? Or, are you reaching for caffeine, sugar, or chocolate in the afternoon or evening for a pick-me-up?

If so, then your body has come to rely on synthetic sources of energy to function rather than the natural energy that comes from proper hormone balance. By significantly reducing or eliminating these substances completely, you give your body a chance to find its natural rhythm again.

Learn the truth about caffeine’s effects on your body, plus try these 15 natural energy-boosting, caffeine-free drinks!

De-Stress

Stress comes in so many forms: emotional burdens, difficult relationships, financial pressures, discontentment with a job, poor diet, illness, care-giving, not enough sleep… The list goes on and on.

So whatever form(s) stress takes for you, take every measure possible to reduce or eliminate it.

That could mean counseling or therapy for emotional burdens, learning to set healthy boundaries or even cutting toxic relationships out of your life, making a plan to pay off debt, changing jobs, changing your diet, prioritizing sleep, and perhaps hardest of all… asking for help. It’s really important to take care of YOU.

Stress has such negative effects on our entire body that we are wise to reduce and eliminate it as much as possible, even if we aren’t suffering from HPA axis dysfunction.

Get Grounded

Our bodies are bombarded with constant, but invisible, electro-magnetic frequencies (EMFs) from the modern world — wifi, TV, cell phones, power lines, and more. As necessary as these devices are, they also harm our body’s electrical energy, especially when we’re surrounded by them all the time.

The earth, however, has a negative charge that “cancels out” the harmful effects of EMFs. Those who suffer from adrenal insufficiency can often describe a feeling of not being grounded — almost as if they feel disconnected from themselves, from others, and from the earth. And it’s no wonder… We spend so much time inside, in front of screens, carrying our phones in our pockets, in our cars — basically surrounded by EMFs!

Spending time outside is of utmost importance when healing any ailment or dysfunction in the body. It’s even better if you can take off your shoes and connect with the earth.

Easy and free ways to do this?

• Go for a barefoot walk — even better if the grass is wet — at least three times per week.
• Swim in natural, wild water — lakes, rivers, the ocean, anything that isn’t a swimming pool!
• Lay outside in the sunshine, on a beach, on a rock — take a nap or read and don’t hurry this!
• Sit with your bare feet in the grass or on natural rocks. Put your toes in the sand.

What if weather doesn’t permit this? There are grounding tools you can purchase to use indoors, at your desk, and in your bed during the winter or inclement weather:

• Grounding sheet — for your bed
• Grounding mat — to go under your desk
• Shoes
• EMF-blocking cell phone case — not for grounding, but reduces your exposure to EMFs from your phone

Supplement

Essential oils are powerful supplements, yet there are others that are just as nourishing and healing for tired adrenals and a worn-out HPA axis.

We always recommend working with a qualified natural healthcare practitioner when taking supplements. Speak to your healthcare provider about these nourishing supplements:

• Magnesium — orally, topically, and in Epsom salt baths
• Methylated B-Vitamin Complex
• Endorphinate
• Whole Foods Vitamin C
• Minerals — Use a mineral-rich salt in all your cooking, plus, consider a mineral supplement like this or this.

Lesson 8 of our Women’s Health eCourse goes into more detail on HPA axis dysfunction, or you can listen to our podcast Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue, for more information.

More Adrenal Health Related Articles:

• Why Adrenal Fatigue Is Actually HPA Axis Dysfunction
• What Is Rhodiola? (the anti-fatigue, anti-stress adaptogen!)
• 5 Foods That Are Wrecking Your HPA Axis
• 5 Foods That Nourish The HPA Axis
• 5 Reasons to Heal Your Gut

More Information About Using Essential Oils

• The Ultimate Guide To Essential Oil Properties {& which oils do what}
• Is It Safe To Ingest Essential Oils {medicinal & culinary use}
• Can You Flavor Ferments With Essential Oils? #AskWardee 109
• Top 5 Essential Oil Resources
• How To Organize & Store Essential Oils
• Hormone-Balancing Essential Oil Roll-On
• Top 5 Essential Oils For Women
• Top 5 Essential Oils For Men
• No More Cramps! Essential Oil Roll-On
• How To Use Up Every Last Drop Of Your Essential Oils
• Top 5 Budget-Friendly Essential Oils For Natural Seasonal Allergy Relief

Have you ever suffered from adrenal fatigue/HPA axis dysfunction? Are you now? Will you try any of these essential oils for adrenal support?