Aromatherapy, the practice of using scent to induce psychological or physiological changes in your body, can stimulate your senses and help you feel more alert. Some essential oils can enhance your ability to receive nourishment by improving respiration and circulation, while others may help your body repair itself, reduce stress and help you feel refreshed faster.
Fatigue
Unless it stems from a psychological or medical condition, your fatigue most likely arises from overwork or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Feelings of fatigue are often related to alcohol use or abuse, excessive physical demands, lack of or poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, medication or a sedentary lifestyle. Most cases of physical exhaustion resolve themselves when you get enough rest, eat properly and refrain from excessive alcohol or activity.
Some cases of fatigue arise from medical conditions such as infection with the Epstein-Barr virus and chronic fatigue syndrome. Consult your doctor if your physical exhaustion does not resolve with lifestyle changes.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy primarily involves the inhalation of aromatic plant substances, whether natural or synthetic. Applying essential oils directly to your skin by diluting them in a carrier oil and rubbing them in or bathing in them allows the chemicals to enter your body through your skin. The inhalation of the aromatic compounds stimulates the limbic system of the brain, which activates emotional or instinctual response. The molecules then enter the lungs and circulatory system, evoking a physiological response.
Aromatherapy and Fatigue
The inhalation and absorption of essential oils may affect your level of fatigue in several ways depending on the cause of your exhaustion. If you are physically exhausted due to an excessive amount of emotional stress or insomnia, oils with sedative effects may be helpful. If your fatigue arises due to poor circulation or diminished respiratory capacity, stimulating oils may be beneficial. If your lymphatic system is sluggish and ineffective at removing toxins, antitoxic agents may improve your energy levels.
Aromatherapy for Fatigue
If your fatigue stems from toxic overload, such as excessive alcohol or fatty food intake, angelica, white birch, sweet fennel, grapefruit and juniper oils may be helpful, according to aromatherapy proponents. Inhaling or applying sedating oils such as lavender, chamomile and orange blossom may help reduce insomnia. Stimulating oils such as coriander, eucalyptus, ginger, mint and rosemary can help improve circulation, getting more blood to your muscles and brain and possibly reducing physical exhaustion.
People suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome may find help by using jasmine, peppermint, chamomile, geranium and rosemary essential oils. A 2004 study published in the “Journal of Palliative Medicine” found that cancer patients given foot baths containing lavender essential oils experienced less fatigue.
Warning
Most essential oils have not been approved by the FDA for treating or preventing any medical condition or disease.
References
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils"; Julia Lawless; 1995
- MayoClinic.com; Fatigue; August 2010
- Multiple Sclerosis Resource Center: Aromatherapy
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Sleep Disorders and CAM: At a Glance; September 2010
- Consumer Health Reviews; Aromatherapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Joie Power, Ph.D; 1998
- "Journal of Palliative Medicine"; Combined Modality Treatment of Aromatherapy, Footsoak, and Reflexology Relieves Fatigue in Patients With Cancer; H. Kohara, et al.; December 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lavender; Steven Ehrlich, NMD; March 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Steven Ehrlich, NMD; March 2010
- University of Minnesota; How Do I Determine the Quality of Essential Oils?; Linda Halcon
Member Comments