Essential Oils and Smell

 

 

We have heard the old adage, "stop and smell the roses." There is actually scientific evidence that smelling rose oil can turn off the fear response happening in your body. Credit is given to Nobel Prize researcher named Linda Buck. Her research centered around specific olfactory cells (connected to the sense of smell) in the nervous system and the body's response.

Jodie Cohen, in her book, Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body, says, 

    "The cells of the olfactory epithelium are in fact brain cells. This olfactory membrane is the only place in your body where your central nervous system is exposed and is in direct contact with the environment."

There are simple ways to use smell with an essential oil. 

• One way is to open the bottle and hold it a few inches below the nose and inhale deeply. 

• You can also place a drop of the oil in your hands, rub them together and then inhale the scent on your hands. 

• You can diffuse the oils into the air.

• You could also place a few drops on a cotton ball near your bed or on your pillowcase and get the benefit of the oil.

Smelling an essential oil has worked well for me as my skin is sensitive to the oils and often results in a rash especially when placing the oils behind my ears to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Everyone's body reacts differently to oils, so having the scientific study behind the benefit of smell and healing is incredibly valuable.

 

Essential Oils For the Vagus Nerve

There are many companies that make essential oils such as Young Living and DoTerra. I have become more familiar with Vibrant Blue Oils having participated in many trauma summits with Jodie Cohen, founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, as well as studying with her. 

The following are essential oils from Vibrant Blue Oils that are having a positive impact on those who want to reset and regenerate their Vagus Nerve:

Parasympathetic Oil – Triggers the optimal rest and digest healing state. Includes: Clove and Lime

Bladder Support Essential Oil – Supports releasing trauma, shock, shame, helplessness. Includes: Frankincense, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Petigrain Combava, Rose, Sandalwood, Spruce, Valerian

Nerve Repair – Supports damaged nerves, relieves pain. Includes: Basil, Peppermint, Helichrysum italicum, Marjorum

Adrenal – Balances the adrenals to support anxiety, stress, low back pain and fatigue. Includes: Thyme, Rosemary, Manuka, Galbanum and Frankincense

Anti-inflammatory – Supports pain and inflammation. Includes: Dill Seed, Ginger, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, and Tarragon

Calm – Supports anxiety, calms tension, reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Includes: Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Blue Tansy and Patchouli

 

Overwhelm Support

 Overwhelm occurs when your nervous system is stuck in freeze mode: fight, flight, freeze. If you can't run or fight, you protect yourself by becoming immobile. Jodie Cohen, founder of Vibrant Blue Oils writes:

"The freeze response kicks in when the survival system has decided that whatever is facing us is too overwhelming."

So, what do you do? I encourage you to visit the website: www.vibrantblueoils.com

Jodie is an authority on essential oils. Her extensive blogs on the overwhelm response are from many different perspectives. Her book, Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body is a must have. You will feel like you have gone back to school and you will be armed with meaningful information to support your body, mind, spirit.

 

If you are a facilitator for healing or simply interested in learning more to help yourself become healthier, I recommend the information and summits at www.healthmeans.com

Come back to my blog for more information on the nervous system. I will continue to post simple techniques for supporting your brain and body.