16+ Essential Oils For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

Are you looking for the best essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery?

If you’re interested to learn about how the use of essential oils can help lower stress hormones, increase energy levels, improve the quality of your sleep, and help lessen adrenal fatigue symptoms, you’ll definitely want to keep reading!

In this post we’ll go over:

• Symptoms of adrenal fatigue
• Essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery
• Specific ways to use essential oils (and how to do it safely!)
• Resources for more information

Let’s dive right in!

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue (also known as HPA Axis Dysfunction) is, at its core, a condition caused by stress.

Common symptoms often reported are:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Trouble sleeping
• Body aches and pains
• Mood swings
• Hair loss
• Brain fog
• Anxiety
• Feeling exhausted in the afternoon
• Dizziness
• Low libido
• Inability to handle stress
• Blood sugar issues
• Craving for salt
• Low daytime energy but awake at night
• Tired but wired feeling

Other symptoms may include:

• Histamine intolerance
• Allergies (food, environmental or seasonal)
• Low back pain
• Muscle weakness
• Headaches
• Low blood pressure
• Easily startled

And many other symptoms (there actually 75 that have been associated with adrenal fatigue!) that can range from mild to debilitating.

A simplified version of what happens is that stress, if not properly dealt with, causes imbalances in hormones in the body.

This stress can be from a traumatic event or stressful situation (it can be from constant stress or an intense short-term event) which can cause cortisol, thyroid, and sex hormones to become imbalanced.

When one hormone is affected they all will start to show signs of dysfunction because they are all intricately linked.

So, as you can see, the term adrenal fatigue isn’t a fully accurate name for this condition since the adrenals glands are not the only ones involved.

HPA Axis Dysfunction (Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal) or OAT axis imbalance (Ovary, Adrenal, Thyroid) is technically a better way to describe it, but more people are familiar with the term adrenal fatigue so that’s what I commonly use here 🙂

Ok, now that we’ve gone over common adrenal issues and what adrenal fatigue is, let’s get to those essential oils!

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and this information is not medical advice. If you have questions about your health please contact your health care provider to receive a proper medical diagnosis and to rule out any medical condition.

Related: What Is Adrenal Fatigue (+ How To Fix It!)

Essential Oils For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

To recover from adrenal fatigue and regain good health, it is necessary to have a well-rounded treatment plan that will support and heal the body from stress and related hormone imbalances.

This plan should include all aspects of healthy living such as:

• Healthy eating
• Quality sleep
• Stress reduction
• Elimination of toxins in the home
• Hormone balance

And positive ways to encourage stress relief!

I know I already mentioned stress reduction, but it is so important that I felt I should say it twice 🙂

There are many tools you can use to help regain balance and health, and pure essential oils are one of them!

Why Use Essential Oils?

We all have our favorite scents that remind us of Christmas, the beach, or a special someone’s cologne, right?

Well, not only can essential oils remind us of a few of our favorite things, turns out, according to researchers studying the effects of essential oils on blood pressure and cortisol levels, these wonderful oils can also have “an immediate and continuous” positive effect on stress, cortisol, and blood pressure levels.

Yay, for lower levels of stress, cortisol, and blood pressure! (If yours need to be lowered that is 😉 ). This is very good news!

In addition, according to this study, smelling lavender and rosemary can even increase our body’s free-radical scavenging activity.

At the end of the study, researchers concluded that:

“lavender and rosemary enhance FRSA and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, which protects the body from oxidative stress”

Atsumi T¹, Tonosaki K.
Psychiatry Res. 2007 Feb 28;150(1):89-96. Epub 2007 Feb 7.

(FRSA=Free Radical Scavenging Activity)

The fact that essential oils can reduce oxidative stress is important information because this kind of stress in the body is directly linked to inflammation, aging, and cancer formation.

Now that we know how well oils work for reducing stress, cortisol levels, and blood pressure, let’s get into the best essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery and exactly how to use them!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

The Best Essential Oils For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

Ok, here’s the good stuff!

Since adrenal fatigue is a stress-related condition, but also overlaps with many aspects of wellness, let’s go over oils for:

• Stress
• Sleep
• Fatigue
• Hormone balance

These areas are often troublesome for women, especially when dealing with adrenal fatigue so this is a great starting point.

Essential Oils For Stress Relief

We’ve already gone over the importance of having positive ways to deal with stress and these essential oils are one way to do just that!

They are a great addition to any natural medicine cabinet 😉

Here are a few common favorites specifically for stress relief.

1. Lavender

Lavender essential oil is probably one of the best known, and for good reason!

Many people use lavender because it is great for lessening anxiety, stress, and even nerve pain.

It is a great option if you find yourself restless, anxious, or unable to sleep!

2. Sandalwood

Sandalwood has a calming effect on the mind and the nervous system is perfect for encouraging relaxation and works wonders to help clear the mind.

3. Bergamot

Bergamot has a beautiful, uplifting scent that helps when you feel heavy with stress.

This oil actually supports and encourages the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes relaxation.

If you want to boost your mood, bergamot is a great choice.

4. Copaiba

Copaiba is an interesting oil and can help alleviate tension, soreness, and even lessen feelings of sadness or discouragement.

If you’re interested in a blend of essential oils that works synergistically but not interested in making your own, check out this blend or this one.

Both are great for reducing stress, worry, and tension.

Essential Oils For Sleep

If you don’t get enough good quality sleep it is very difficult to heal from any illness or ailment, and adrenal fatigue is no different. Getting restful, restorative sleep is essential to regaining energy, reducing stress levels, and restoring whole-body health.

Choose any of the essential oils below and you’re sure to have better sleep!

1. Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile essential oil has powerful calming properties. It is also known to help reduce anxiety, promote better sleep and reduce nightmares!

2. Mandarin

Mandarin oil is great for relieving nervous tension and soothing the mind and body. It has also been reported that this oil can help calm feelings of upset or oversensitivity.

3. Vanilla

Vanilla oil not only makes your home smell amazing, but it is also great for relieving tension and is said to be slightly sedative which can help you drift off into a relaxing sleep.

4. Ylang-Ylang

Ylang-Ylang, much like vanilla is said to have a somewhat sedative effect which can help calm the mind, reduce anxiety and tension, and help you fall asleep faster.

Interested in essential oil blends that are already done for you, smell great, and work wonderfully?

This Sleep Aid blend, as well as Sleep Tight, are both great options!

Essential Oils For Fatigue

When you’re fatigued all the time life can feel difficult and overwhelming.

It is important if you feel fatigued to get to the root of the problem and to allow yourself time to rest so that you can heal.

But, adding essential oils to your daily routine can be an excellent way to help reduce fatigue and gently lift your mood.

*If you are in the very late stages of adrenal fatigue anything stimulating should be avoided, which could possibly include invigorating essential oil blends. It is important that you start low and go slow!
Try diffusing the oils or using a personal inhaler for just a few minutes and see how you react.
If you feel stimulated, agitated, nervous, dizzy, or at all uncomfortable stop using them immediately!*

1. Black Spruce

Black spruce is a great oil to help promote a feeling of calm and focus. It also helps fight fatigue and balance emotions.

2. Rosemary

Rosemary oil is can be so helpful in lifting the mood, balancing emotions, and relieving stress.

It has also been shown to be effective for lowering cortisol levels and helping to increase free radical scavenging activity which protects against oxidative stress.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint oil is cool and invigorating and perfect for those times when you just need a little pick-me-up!

It is also known to relieve headaches and is a very versatile and useful oil that can be a helpful addition to a diffuser or personal inhaler blend.

4. Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil is a great choice to help balance and lift mood, boost energy, help with brain fog and mental alertness, may lower blood pressure and can help reduce appetite.

And it also smells wonderful!

Want to add some fatigue-fighting, energy-improving essential oil blends that are already expertly mixed for you?

This energy blend and this citrus blend are just what you’re looking for!

These citrus oils are great for lifting mood, promoting energy, and smell so good!

Essential Oils For Hormone Balance

Adrenal fatigue may be a condition that results from stress but the result of this stress is hormone imbalance.

One way to gently balance hormones is by using essential oils!

I’ll admit, as much as I love natural remedies, I was skeptical about this claim. Turns out, there have been studies showing that essential oils can have a positive, balancing effect on hormone levels.

Here are 4 essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery that can help bring balance to out of whack hormones 😉

1. Clary Sage

Clary sage has benefits that include promoting stress relief, balancing estrogen levels, reducing depression, and relieving pain.

This essential oil is very popular in hormone balancing blends, and for good reason!

2. Thyme

Thyme oil can help balance hormone levels, increase progesterone, help with low libido, and support emotional balance.

It has also been shown to help combat hair loss!

3. Geranium

Geranium oil is often chosen due to its ability to help balance and stabilize.

Some refer to this oil as a tonic for the adrenals because it can help regulate hormones and is well known for being regenerative.

4. Frankincense

Frankincense oil is amazing!

This oil is thought to help balance hormones but where it really shines is its ability to decrease cortisol and inflammation levels.

It is thought by many to be one of the best oils for balancing thyroid hormones and for aiding those with autoimmune diseases.

Thinking of trying essential oils for hormone balance but not sure about making your own?

This roll-on is great for convenience and this balance essential oil works well for diffusers, an aromatherapy inhaler, or however you like to use oils.

How To Use Essential Oils For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

So, we’ve gone over the benefits of essential oils and which oils may be helpful for many issues people face during adrenal fatigue recovery, but you may be wondering how exactly to use them.

There are a few different ways, but really, how you choose to use them will depend mostly on personal preference.

Here are a few ways you can use essential oils:

• Diffuser
• Personal inhaler
• Perfume/roller bottle
• Jewelry
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Lotion
• Bath salts (or other bath products)

Important Tips For Essential Oil Use And Safety

Essential oils are wonderfully helpful and, if used safely, should have a place in almost any natural medicine cabinet.

But, even though oils are natural and very helpful, it is important to be knowledgeable about their uses and safety precautions.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind that can help you use essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery safely and effectively 🙂

1. Find Quality Oils

Quality oils do not have to be from expensive, popular MLM companies. There are many quality brands out there.

When looking at a brand/company, here are a few tips:

• Do they have qualified, trained staff?
• Do they show GC/MC testing on their website?
• Are their samples third-party tested?
• Do they specify how the oils are extracted or processed?
• Do they give safe guidelines for dilution?
• What is their stance on ingestion? (They should not be promoting ingestion for the untrained/unprofessional user!)

These are just a few examples of what to look for in a company.

Oftentimes people equate a higher price with better quality, but that really isn’t the best method of evaluation.

Ask the questions above and you will be able to get a more complete picture of the company and whether their products are high quality or not.

2. Do Not Take Internally

Essential oils are incredibly potent, concentrated products and should not be used internally!

Mucous membrane tissue is more delicate than skin and essential oils can actually cause erosion of these sensitive tissues.

To illustrate this point, consider this: It takes 40-60 roses to distill one drop of rose essential oil.

And one drop of Roman Chamomile is the equivalent of 30 cups of tea.

 “The essential oil in a bottle is 50-100 times more concentrated than in the plant, and safety issues apply to essential oils that do may not apply to the whole plant or herbal extract.”

Tisserand Institute

3. Always Dilute

There are many essential oil users that say using an oil neat (undiluted) is perfectly fine, but in almost all cases, they are mistaken!

Do not apply undiluted essential oils to your skin (or your child’s skin or gums!) this can cause adverse reactions including burns!!

Be sure to dilute essential oils properly in a carrier oil. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil are all good options.

If you’re new to essential oils or even if you just need a reminder, here is a handy chart that can help you figure out how many drops of essential oils are needed in order to dilute properly.

4. Do Not Diffuse Continuously

If you choose to use essential oils in a diffuser, do so intermittently.

Turn your diffuser on for 30-60 minutes and then be sure to turn it off and let some fresh air in.

Some diffusers have a timer (which is a great safety feature) that can shut off your diffuser automatically if it runs out of water or after a specified amount of time so you don’t have to remember.

*Since we’re on the topic of diffusing oils, it is also important to note that diffusing in public areas such as work or school is not advisable. People with allergies, asthma, sensitivities, children, and pets may be sensitive to oils or scents.

5. Always Test Before Use

If you are using essential oils on your skin the first thing you’ll want to do is a patch test.

Use a few drops of properly diluted oil on a small spot on your skin.

Leave it on for many hours to make sure that no reaction occurs.

If you notice the test patch becoming red, itchy, swollen, or having any sensitivity, wash immediately and discontinue to use!

*Some oils can increase photosensitivity (meaning you should not use them when you will be out in direct sunlight). A few oils that can cause phototoxicity or photosensitive reactions can include bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime, bitter orange, and cumin.

Use caution when using oils and then going out into the sunlight!

Want To Learn More?

If you want to dig deeper and learn more about essential oils, their many uses, and how to use them safely, here are a few of my favorite resources:

Books

Essential Oil Safety is comprehensive, in-depth, and has information I have not read anywhere else. Robert Tisserand is well known in his field and knows what he’s talking about! If you really want to get into essential oils, this book is a must-have!

The Essential Oils Hormone Solution is a great resource that covers all types of hormone imbalances and will help shed light on how essential oils can help.

The Healing Power Of Essential Oils is quite comprehensive (but easy to read) and covers many of the health issues that women today face. In addition, there are 150 recipes and remedies given in this book that will help you use essential oils to increase your health.

Trusted And Reliable Websites

Anyone can say anything online, right?

And I can tell you from experience, that there is a lot of bad information regarding essential oils floating around the internet.

But here are a few online resources where you can find reliable, trustworthy information so you can use essential oils safely.

1. Tisserand Institute

2. Using Essential Oils Safely

3. AromaWeb

Final Thoughts About Using Essential Oils For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery

If you’re considering using essential oils for adrenal fatigue recovery you’ll find that there are a number of oils (and a variety of uses) that can really help promote balance and relief of symptoms you may be experiencing.

When you combine the effectiveness of essential oils with other great healing therapies like yoga, meditation, affirmations, prayer, or EFT (emotional freedom technique), you are sure to bring about positive changes in your overall health and wellbeing!

Additional Info About Adrenal Fatigue

• What Is Adrenal Fatigue? (And How To Fix It!)
• 11 Signs Of Adrenal Fatigue You Shouldn’t Ignore!
• Adrenal Fatigue Recovery: 17 Ways To Support & Heal Your Body
• 11 Causes Of Fatigue (+Tests You Need!)
• Vitamin C For Adrenal Fatigue Recovery
• Adrenal Cocktail: Nourish, Balance & Recover

Helpful Natural Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue

• Banana Peel Tea For Peaceful Sleep
• Delicious Adaptogenic Tea Blends For Balance And Stress Relief
• Desiccated Liver: A Nutrient-Dense Superfood You Should Consider
• Sole Water: Benefits, Risks & Recipe
• Benefits Of Stinging Nettle Infusions
• Best Homeopathic Remedies For Adrenal Fatigue

Interested in more info about adrenal fatigue and natural remedies? Be sure to check out the health section for more articles!

Be sure to save this to your favorite Pinterest board for later!

Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9492350
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22435409
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24802524
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292140720_Frankincense_-_therapeutic_properties