Adrenal fatigue is a nuanced term that covers a variety of symptoms. Also known as adrenal insufficiency, this condition affects the adrenal gland which produces hormones while regulating blood pressure, metabolism, stress responses, the immune system and more. 

In this guide, our aromatherapists will answer what are the signs of adrenal fatigue, how can aromatherapy help with stress, the adrenal glands and more. Do you have adrenal fatigue? Read on to find out more. 

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Doctors say that adrenal insufficiency is a rare disorder characterized by low levels of adrenal hormones such as cortisol. This is caused by disease of the adrenal glands, pituitary or hypothalamus. Disease of these organs is primarily influenced by autoimmune disease, genetics, infections or cancer in rare cases. 

Signs and symptoms of adrenal exhaustion include: 

• Chronic fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Body aches

• Hair loss

If you have any of the above symptoms, we suggest consulting with your doctor. Adrenal fatigue can occur suddenly or over time and lead to adrenal failure, coma and seizures. 

Note here, that while we use adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency interchangeably in this article, doctors don’t recognize adrenal fatigue as a medical diagnosis. Adrenal fatigue is also often incorrectly described as being caused by chronic stress, but this is unproven. 

What Essential Oils Are Good For Adrenal Fatigue?

If you’re wondering to yourself, “Can adrenal fatigue be healed by essential oils?” the answer is most likely no. However, therapeutic grade essential oils are a natural remedy that can assist with the symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency. Let’s address those symptoms and which essential oils can help.

Fatigue

If you’re suffering from fatigue and tiredness, we suggest trying the following essential oils in an aromatherapy inhaler throughout the day. Be sure to also catch some more rest where you can. 

Fatigue Fix: A blend of zesty and cooling essential oils, Fatigue Fix is a burst of fresh energy. Featuring oils like Peppermint which has been proven to reduce daytime sleepiness, Fatigue Fix is the perfect pick-me-up when you start to lose focus and motivation.

Energy Boost: A simple yet effective blend for upping one’s energy levels, Energy Boost is our tried and true blend for keeping you on top of your game. Highlighting Lemon essential oil which was shown to reduce fatigue symptoms in sleep-deprived subjects, Energy Boost is here when you need it. 

Nausea, Vomiting & Abdominal Pain

Digestive issues associated with adrenal fatigue are no match for these essential oil favorites. These oils are best diffused or diluted and applied topically to the abdomen. 

Peppermint: Few aroma therapeutics are quite as effective at quelling nausea as Peppermint. In fact, Peppermint essential oil is frequently used as a dietary supplement for irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems. When Peppermint essential oil is diffused or used topically, it too can help ease stomach aches. 

Digest Ease: You don’t have to let stomach troubles ruin your plans. For that, there’s the Digest Ease synergy blend. Exuding a strong woodsy aroma, Digest Ease is a carefully formulated blend of the best digestive aids, including Cardamom, Lemon, Ginger, Fennel and more. 

Weight Loss & Loss Of Appetite

Gourmand aromas may help to increase appetite and get you back to your normal weight. Inhale these oils to motivate indulgence.  

Cocoa Vanilla: Is there anything more tempting than chocolate? Sweet, chocolatey and decadent, Cocoa Vanilla’s indulgent aroma inspires thoughts of eating delicious treats. 

Coconut CO2: Warm, softly sweet and true to freshly cut coconut, Coconut CO2 is a treat to the senses. Its scrumptious, tropical aroma will have your tummy grumbling a good, healthy meal in no time. 

Body Aches

Body aches can easily bog you down. Try the following products and get back to feeling yourself quicker. 

Muscle Relief Body Oil: Minty, spicy and powerfully rejuvenating Muscle Relief body oil, is the next best thing to seeing a Massage Therapist. If you’re experiencing local pain, apply Muscle Relief to areas of discomfort as needed, throughout the day. 

Circu-Touch Bath Salt: Circu-Touch bath salt is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and mineral-rich ingredients stimulate your body’s natural circulatory system to help alleviate aches and pains. This bath salt can help alleviate local pain or aches felt throughout the body. 

Hair Loss

When it comes to adrenal fatigue, hair loss may be associated with a deficiency in key vitamins caused by weight loss and loss of appetite, so it’s important that you address this issue first. From there, use these essential oils to boost the appearance of hair growth. 

• Aromatherapist Hana Tisserand collected research showing that a 1% dilution of Rosemary essential oil out-performed a 2% dilution of minoxidil (of which, Rogaine is a common brand). 

• A separate study showed that a 3% dilution of Peppermint essential oil improved the appearance of hair growth better than minoxidil. 
  
  

Daily Mane-tenance

• 5 drops Rosemary Around The World oil

• 4 drops Peppermint Around The World oil

• 3 drops Lavender Around The World oil

• 1 tbsp Jojoba oil

• 1 tbsp Coconut oil

• 30 ml empty amber glass bottle

Combine all ingredients in your empty bottle. Massage a small amount of oil onto your clean scalp 1-2 times per day every day for four weeks or until desired results are achieved. Leave on overnight and wear a shower cap or leave on for at least 30 minutes before washing hair thoroughly. 

Need Help Finding The Oil That’s Right For You?

At Edens Garden, we offer several ways to find the product that’s right from you. Try our “Shop by Use or Aroma” tool to narrow down the single oil or synergy blend you need. Explore our carrier oils with our “Carrier Oil Comparison Chart.” Or compare our blends against other brands with our “Compare Essential Oil Blends Chart.” And if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, talk to an expert from our customer care team or lineup of aromatherapists. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sources: 

1. Johns Hopkins. “Adrenal Glands.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/adrenal-glands.

2. Kearns, Ann. “Adrenal Fatigue: What Causes It?” Mayo Clinic, 16 Apr. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/adrenal-fatigue/faq-20057906.

3. Mi, Norrish, and Dwyer Kl. “Preliminary Investigation of the Effect of Peppermint Oil on an Objective Measure of Daytime Sleepiness.” Abstract - Europe PMC, 1 Mar. 2005, europepmc.org/article/med/15708642.

4. Umezu, Toyoshi. “Ambulation-Promoting Effect of Peppermint Oil and Identification of Its Active Constituents.” ScienceDirect, 8 July 2001, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305701005433.

5. Tisserand, Hana. “Rosemary Essential Oil Is a Promising Alternative for Hair Growth Promotion!” Tisserand Institute, 9 Apr. 2021, tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/rosemary-essential-oil-hair-growth-promotion.

6. Oh, Ji Young. “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs.” NCBI, Dec. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931.