Brain Injuries and Essential Oils: The Basics

Some may wonder about what value essential oils can offer here, but many clinical studies are showing indisputable evidence that the benefits are very real.  My girlfriend introduced me to this type of therapy so, with many personal doubts about the whole idea, I began my exploration with a somewhat open mind – and I’m very glad I did.

While there are several essential oils may offer benefits, here I’d like to list the top four that I have personal experience with and for which credible scientific studies have soothed my inner skeptic.  Let’s start with one of my new favorites…

Rosemary Oil

One thing I’ve had a lot of difficulty accepting since my brain injury is that I almost never remembered my dreams any more.  Before the injury I’d most always remember one or two dreams in the morning, and sometimes as many as four or five.  My injury took that all away.  Recently I learned that there are a number of clinical studies showing that inhalation of rosemary essential oil has many benefits:

• Improving memory function
  • Increases acetylcholine levels and helps to prevent its breakdown
• Reduces stress and anxiety
  • By reducing cortisol levels
• Improves mood and sleep
• It is a vasodilator
  • Increasing blood flow in the brain

What I can tell you personally is that putting a few drops of rosemary oil in my diffuser overnight has enabled me to start remembering some of my dreams again, which is a very positive change for me.

It’s important to be aware that rosemary (and other stimulating essential oils) should be avoided by those with epilepsy or risk of seizure, who have high blood pressure or who may be pregnant.

Lavender Oil

Calming lavender has been clearly shown in clinical studies to offer many benefits related to the brain.  Because of its sleep benefits, I like to mist lavender oil in my sleeping space before bed.  Some of the scientifically studied benefits include:

• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
• Reduces insomnia, improves sleep quality
  • Proper sleep improves cognitive function
• Has positive impacts related to PTSD
• Improves sleep and behavioral symptoms in people with dementia

Wild Orange Oil

Besides just smelling great, the myercene content of wild orange oil has been shown to ease anxiety due to its ability to directly cross the blood brain barrier and interact with our serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitters.  The net result is an overall increase in our sense of well-being.

Lemon Oil

Another great smelling addition to our environments, lemon essential oil is also shown to relieve stress and anxiety, generally improves our moods and improves cognitive functions.

Finding the Best Combinations

Using the right combination of essential oils on a daily basis can make a difference for all of us.  Finding what works best for you is part research and reading, but mostly it’s about the differences that you feel in your life. This study demonstrated a measurable benefit for dementia patients with a daily practice of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange essential oils in the evening, showing both emotional benefits and improved cognitive abilities.

If you have a particular oil, or combination of oils, that you’ve experienced a benefit from, please share your input in our comments section!

Essential Oil Safety and Contraindications

Here’s a great article on safety and contraindications related to essential oils from the Escents web site: INTRODUCTION TO ESSENTIAL OILS – SAFETY AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Every person, every injury and every situation is unique.  Always talk to a trusted medical professional before starting any new therapy.