When seriously stressed, the body uses a “flight or fight” response to temporarily increase energy production. This isn’t a problem if you’re being chased by an occasional lion, but it is a problem if it happens routinely. The hormone cortisol (along with its partner epinephrine) is produced by the adrenals during the “flight or fight” response. This works well if the “threat” is resolved and the body returns to balance. But the effects of too much coritsol can be serious and far reaching. The article “Cortisol — Its Role in Stress, Inflammation, and Indications for Diet Therapy” in the publication “Today’s Dietician”, sites over 7 body systems that can be affected by cortisol including the immune and cardiovascular systems. There are many ways to reduce stress including getting more and better quality sleep, breath work, acupuncture, exercise, and mental/emotional support. Inhaling essential oils may also be supportive because when inhaled, they reach the emotional center of the brain. Just like the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies can uplift ones mood, smelling an essential oil can do the same thing. Some essential oils, like chamomile, are also known as a calming tea commonly used to aid sleep. In some situations, the bright and uplifting scent of a citrus oil like tangerine or lemon may help brighten ones spirits. For others, the smell of an essential oil created from a beautiful scented flower may work best. Some examples of those are rose, ylang ylang, geranium, and lavender. And if stress is making someone feel unsettled and ungrounded, essential oils made from trees may be really helpful because they can help one feel rooted in the earth. Common oils of this nature are cedarwood, pine, Idaho blue spruce, and frankincense.
It’s important to know though, that only about 2% of the essential oils created are pure and not contaminated by man-made chemicals. This makes a difference because when you inhale an essential oil, the chemical constituents attach to the many different receptor sites in the body. Unnatural chemicals can throw the body off balance and contribute to stress. So knowing the source of your essential oils is of the utmost importance.