Essential Oils for the Nervous System

Hi all! I thought as it has been a little while since I did a piece about Essential Oils, I would write this months blog about oils we can use, to support our Nervous System.

I have spoken with many folk recently (friends and clients) who have said they are finding life quite overwhelming these days. I too, with the big move up north recently and leaving all my family, friends and clients behind, whilst starting a new job, in a new rental home, in a new area, have also felt quite overwhelmed some days.

Self-care is vital during these times. For me, that will be a peaceful walk with my camera, or taking a little time to read or to cook myself a healthy meal. To call a friend for a catch up, or to just try to get an early night when I feel tired. You have to look at what brings you a little peace and joy in your life, and try to carve out some time to make that a priority wherever possible. We have to give ourselves a little love.

Things feel quite unstable for quite a lot of us at the moment. The cost of living crisis is a real worry for most of us, and there are many people living with a lot of anxiety. World events bring us more concern and fear too, and some days all of this can really get on top of us, emotionally and physically.

We can look after ourselves by trying to eat well, get enough exercise and sleep, by limiting our time online, and by using gratitude and relaxation techniques to soothe the body. Aromatherapy can also be part of our self-care.

Using some of the beautiful Essential Oils listed below (blended with a suitable base oil – I recommend Sweet Almond), is fabulous for use in body massage, facial massage or for popping into a lovely warm bath. Essential Oils can also be added to face, hand or body creams, bath bombs and shower gels. You could also add a few drops to a warm or cool compress as preferred (a facecloth is fine for this), applied to the forehead, or others areas of tension. Essential Oils can also be added to room diffusers and vapourisers at home to create a calm and relaxing environment.

Have a peek at my products page for more information and ideas. If you are really interested in using Essential Oils at home in other ways, do scroll back to my blog from November 2020, which covers this in far more detail.

Essential Oils that support the Nervous System

Bergamot (Citrus Aurantium Subspecies Bergamia)

Bergamot Essential Oil is one of my favourite Citrus oils. It is fantastic for getting rid of emotional tension and feelings of frustration and irritability, and wonderful in times of stress, worry and anxiety. It soothes the nervous system with it’s light fragrance, and is also a good lymphatic decongestant and digestive tonic. There is an important safety note for this oil though – you should always use a Bergamot FCF Essential Oil – this means it is free of Bergapten, which can be phototoxic.

Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum Nobile)

This Essential Oil is a soothing, calming, classic stress remedy. It is also an effective sedative, and useful for everything associated with the Nervous System. Headaches, migraines, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, depression, agitation and emotional stress can all be eased with this fantastic oil. It is also safe for everyone, including babies, as it is one of the safest oils used in Aromatherapy. Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising it makes a wonderful choice for soothing our souls.

Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)

This is my absolute personal favourite Essential Oil. It is wonderful for just about everything. It is one of the very best for dealing with stress-related conditions. It is rejuvenating, healing, wonderful for emotional support, and is calming and supportive. It is super grounding, being used widely across the world for bereavement and trauma, and is just a deeply relaxing, centering and reassuring Essential Oil. Non-irritant, non-toxic, non-sensitising – it is also one of the safest oils we have in Aromatherapy.

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

Lavender Essential Oil is under-valued in my opinion! Because it is used so widely, people often forget how good it really is. It is truly an incredible oil, being an adaptogenic, it can relax or stimulate depending what you mix it with. It is a wonderful balancer, and one of the absolute best oils for all stress-related conditions. It is healing, deeply soothing and sedative, but it can also uplift us out of a rut, and help us to adapt to new situations when things are hard. Being non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising, it is also one of the safest oils used in Aromatherapy, and it suitable for just about everyone, young and old alike.

Neroli (Citrus Aurantium Var. Amara Flos)

Neroli Essential Oil is simply beautiful, and another one of my absolute favourites. It is a classic stress remedy and is calming and relaxing, dealing well with states of anxiety, fear and worry. It can really help before tests or exams, and in cases of depression and apathy. It helps to disperse doom and gloom, leaving us soothed, as well as lifting our spirits if we feel frustrated or irritated. It is also non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising, so is generally safe for everyone, however please note: the heady floral aroma may cause headaches in those with hypersensitivity, so it should be used with caution for those individuals.

Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)

This Essential Oil has a rich and warm aroma which centres and grounds us, reducing mental hyperactivity, and allowing our minds to let go a little. It is highly restorative and reduces tension and anxiety. It brings stability and strength in times of trouble and stressful situations, and is great for insomnia and restlessness. The aroma also lasts a long time, as does it’s benefits. A wonderfully restorative Essential Oil. Again, this oil is non-irritant, non-toxic and non-sensitising, so a very safe choice.

Sandalwood (Santalum Album)

This Essential Oil is another one of my absolute favourites. It is a deeply healing, stabilising and grounding oil. It is wonderful for all skin types and is very centering and balancing. It helps with stress-related tension and anxiety. It is a supreme regulator, harmonising our thoughts and our intuition. It helps us to stop over-thinking everything, and to ground us in the moment, to help bring us peace. Being another one of our ‘Base’ note oils, the fragrance comes through more strongly as time goes on, so the aroma lingers for longer than other Essential Oils. Another very safe oil, being non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.

Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)

Sweet Orange Essential Oil is another one of my favourites too. It is a wonderful nerve tonic, so fabulous at dealing with stress and anxiety (being relaxing and calming), whilst also being an uplifting, refreshing Essential Oil. It is great for those who are exhausted and full of worry, as well as for those feeling stressed, irritated or frustrated with life. Non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising, so again safe for just about everyone.

It is so important to prioritise a little self-care these days. Life can be so very challenging, and our heads are full of to-do lists, expectations from others (and ourselves), and we must learn to take a little time out where we can, to do things that lift our spirits. Essential Oils are one of many things that can help to support us and help us to find a little calm.