Emotional brain = Emotional body
“...beliefs may start in the mind, but they end in the body.”
We may discern emotions in our mind but their effects roll out in our body. This is true for all our emotions whether positive or negative.
Every emotion sets off physical responses which are triggered by a cascade of physiological events inside our bodies. Happiness will make us laugh and smile, fear will may us take flight or freeze, love will draw us near, loss will make us weep and implode upon ourselves. I will avoid going down a rabbit hole of scientific research (freely available on internet!).
In a nutshell,
positive emotions nurture the body, negative emotions deplete the body.
It’s all about stress
Prolonged stress, as during depression or grieving, causes the brain to produce adrenalin and cortisol for abnormally extended periods which can suppress the immune system and kill immune cellular responses. This means that persons undergoing prolonged stress are not only more liable to fall ill due to lower immunity, but are also more susceptible to contracting serious pathologies such as strokes, heart attacks and gastric ulcers due to excess cortisol.
Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in our brain affecting our mood and can be depleted through stress. Drugs that are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI), are often prescribed for depressions linked to low serotonin levels. These drugs can be effective but have significant, serious side effects, some of which may be long-term.
“In the confines of the doctor’s surgery though, appointment times make it impossible for the doctor to delve further into the symptoms themselves. And that is where a complementary practitioner excels. Our job is to look at the prevailing skin condition, stomach complaint or sleeplessness and ascertain whether it might be purely the top layer of something far more complex.”
How can aromatology help?
Doctors are the experts on how the body works and when they prescribe my clients medicine, I insist they take it and my work as an aromatologist is to provide complementary support to theirs.
However, the advantage of a half to one hour consultation is that it offers the time to take a holistic approach that is not only based on a pre-established medical diagnoses but also on a broader perspective of a client's life in order to identify where any underlying triggers may come from. By examining with the client their history, diet, lifestyle, how they feel about their life, work, relationships and also observing their general demeanour can provide some significant indications and pathways towards supporting their capacity to cope with stress.
Together we may identify some stress management strategies to promote self care through lifestyle changes. Practices such as regular exercise, yoga, mindfulness meditation, forest bathing and communal activities are helpful as they influence the autonomic nervous system to reduce the impact of stress, regulate emotions, and affect a wide variety of stress related conditions.
But, there are times when a person is so deeply overwhelmed, numbed and exhausted that they incapable of even finding the strength to get out of bed.
“Smell is the most mysterious and evocative of our senses, it is our chemical sense, informing us about the surrounding environment and giving information that is not tangible, visible or audible”
How can essential oils help?
The olfactory system can provide a pathway back towards regaining balance and soliciting this route through an appropriate choice of essential oils can support a person's capacity to adapt and cope
by stimulating the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus through the olfactive and respiratory pathways
by modulating and altering the release and quantity of serotonin neurotransmitters which regulate our responses to stress.
by helping with quality of sleep and insomnia
Which oils and how?
Essential oils will be chosen for their immune-stimulating, uplifting or relaxing qualities and depending on a client’s needs and lifestyle, may be applied by diffusion, inhalation, massage or bathing.
This also depends on multiple factors as described above and the client's affinities to odour. However as an example, an effective blend for emotional healing and balance can be made with Lavender, Sweet Orange and Rose.
Lavender has unique calming, soothing, nurturing, balancing properties that are useful in treating stress and disturbed sleep patterns.
Sweet Orange helps insomnia, anxiety, stress and depression. A 2007 study concluded that sweet orange exhibits 'harmonising' activity by reducing the level of arousal of the autonomic nervous system and through relaxing pulse and breathing rate. It also has an uplifting effect on emotions, stimulates the immune system and re-invigorates a person's capacity for activity.
Rose is a wonderful oil for supporting emotional exhaustion and stress related conditions such as insomnia by reducing deep limbic system hyper-functioning. It is simultaneously relaxing and uplifting and nurtures feelings of self-worth and compassion. Rose can be used in several beneficial combinations for dealing with stress
Dive a little deeper,
try to notice what odours and fragrances make you feel more energised, happier, alert and relaxed?
References
Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, Joan Borysenko Ph.D.
The Essential Oils of The Mind Body Spirit: The Holistic Medicine of Clinical Aromatherapy, by Elizabeth Ashley
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, by Robert Sapolsky
Anatomy and Physiology with Pathophysiology Textbook, by Jade Shutes
Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, by Shirley, Len and Penny Price
Aromatica Volume 2, Peter Holmes
Hongratanaworakit, Tapanee & Buchbauer, Gerhard. (2007). Autonomic and emotional responses after transdermal absorption of sweet orange oil in humans: Placebo controlled trial. International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics. 1. 29-34. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil exhibits 'harmonizing' activity when applied to the skin:
A 2007 study published in the International Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics used a placebo-controlled study to examine the effects of transdermal absorption of sweet orange essential oil on autonomic nervous system and on mental and emotional states. The study involved thirty-nine volunteers randomly assigned to either the control group or the sweet orange group. The control group applied 1ml of sweet almond oil while the sweet orange group applied 1ml of a 20% (w/w) solution of sweet orange oil in sweet almond oil to the skin of the lower abdomen which was self-massaged into the skin for 5 minutes. The area was then covered with plastic film to prevent evaporation of the oil. Autonomic parameters including breathing rate, pulse rate, skin temperature, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were monitored continuously. The sweet orange group experienced a reduction in pulse rate and breathing rate. Subjects in the sweet orange group also experienced feeling more cheerful and vigorous. The researchers summarised that dermal application of sweet orange essential oil resulted in 'harmonization', which they defined as a reduced level of arousal of the autonomic nervous system (reduction of pulse and breathing rate) yet increased cheerfulness and vigour on the behavioural level as reported by individuals in the sweet orange group. The researchers concluded that the dermal application of sweet orange essential oil may be of benefit in the relief of depression and stress in humans.
