ESSENTIAL Essential Oils in Equilibrium Blend

Vertigo - Dizziness - Panic Attacks and other Vagus Nerve Dysfunction

Clove Bud - 

Helps to stimulate the vagal pathways to trigger detoxification. Stimulates circulation to help increase energy. Clove essential oil can help energize mood and aid memory. Supports headaches, fevers, and digestive problems and may boost the milk supply for nursing mothers.

Frankincense -

Sesquiterpenes, chemical compounds found in Frankincense, allow this oil to cross the blood-brain barrier.  It may also strengthen the brain and ease anxiety, nervous tension, any stress-related conditions, infections and inflammation.

Copaiba -

Beta-caryophyllene is king in Copaiba oil and, CBD oil I might add:

Considering that β-caryophyllene is already an FDA-approved food additive, these natural sesquiterpenes have an enormous potential to decrease the burden of inflammation-induced damage following neural and nonneural diseases.

Lime -

This oil is stimulating to the brain, helpful for clearing negative thoughts and boosts focus. Lime refreshes a tired mind making it a useful alternative for addressing depression and fatigue. 

How to use: 

Designed for topical use. Generously apply the blend to the vagus nerve (behind the ear lobe on the mastoid bone). You can apply it behind one or both ears depending on how stressed you feel. Always test on a small portion of the skin first. Make sure your skin can handle the oil/blend before using.

Can also be used Aromatically, hold the bottle under the nose for 3 or 4 breaths.

What is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve, also known as the vagal nerves, are the main nerves of your parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as digestion, heart rate and immune system. These functions are involuntary, meaning you can’t consciously control them. Your left and right vagal nerves contain 75% of your parasympathetic nervous system’s nerve fibres.

What is the function of the vagus nerve?

Your vagal nerves do a great job of overseeing a vast range of crucial functions, communicating nerve impulses to every organ in your body, they are part of your body’s nervous system. They play important roles in involuntary sensory and motor (movement) functions, including

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Your parasympathetic nervous system controls “rest and digest” functions. It’s the opposite of your sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response. These two nervous systems make up your autonomic nervous system. This system controls involuntary body activities.

Where is the vagus nerve?

Your vagus nerves are the longest cranial nerve, running from your brain to your large intestine. Your left vagus nerve travels down the left side of your body. The right vagus nerve travels down the right side of your body. “Vagus” is the Latin word for wandering. Your vagal nerves take a long, winding course through your body. To use this oil, reach up and touch the bone behind your earlobe - this is called the mastoid bone and what makes this location somewhat magical is the fact that the vagus nerve, "wanders" down and over the mastoid bone behind BOTH earlobes. Apply the oil to the Mastoid bones and rub it down the sides of your neck.

What are the signs of vagus nerve problems?

The most common symptoms of vagus nerve dysfunction include chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, spinning or pulling sensation (in a particular direction), weight loss, poor focusing, exercise intolerance, emotional lability, inflammation, heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, tinnitus, headache, anxiety, depression, brain fog, swallowing difficulty, vision changes, and inability to handle stress well.

What aggravates the vagus nerve?

There are two main causes of vagus nerve dysfunction: previous infection, toxins or inflammation and physical or psychological stress. 

The Vagus nerve is divided into two separate efferent branches: the ventral (front) and dorsal (back) motor branches which both act to counteract increased sympathetic nervous system activity (the fight/flight response). Examples of when the sympathetic nervous system may increase in activity may occur when you are competing in a sporting event, running from a Tiger, or even simply thinking of the many checklists of errands you have to complete by the end of the day. To maintain homeostasis, there must be a “checks and balance” system within the autonomic nervous system to efficiently distribute energy and resources for important processes in your body to maintain an optimal and healthy internal environment for your body to function. 

With prolonged periods of stress, your body may reach a breaking point where it may no longer be able to sustain the same level of activity resulting in a physiological state of “emergency shutdown.” The autonomic nervous system may come to a halt through over-excitation of the dorsal motor branch of the Vagus nerve forcing the autonomic nervous system to switch gears to allocate resources and energy to vital organs for survival and turn off the prolonged usage of this fight or flight response. This may lead to changes in the tone of the Vagus nerve which leads to dysfunction triggering a cascade of effects consisting of a weakened immune system, altered neurotransmitter firing, and hormonal imbalance.

How Is the Vagus Nerve Linked to Chronic Dizziness and Vertigo?

An individual with chronic dizziness symptoms such as in the case of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Meniere’s Disease, Migraine-Associated Vertigo, Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness, and Post Concussion Syndrome may be unaware of how their dizziness may be unresolved due to their body remaining in a prolonged state of fight or flight activity. As the dizziness remains present, the body may remain trapped in an upregulated sympathetic nervous system response and the vicious cycle continues further contributing to elevated anxiety levels and more dizziness. 

The Effects of Essential Oils on the Vagus Nerves and Nervous System

Stimulating the vagus nerve with topically applied essential oils (behind the ear lobe on the mastoid bone) can help manually override impaired function.  The lipid-soluble essential oils can directly and immediately access the nerve in a way that other supplements or remedies cannot. Facilitating an increase in the activity of the vagus nerve and the corresponding neurotransmitters and hormones helps return the body to balance. Our Equilibrium Essential Oil blend stimulates the vagus nerve and triggers the parasympathetic response, topically apply

Should your Vertigo symptoms worsen do not hesitate to see your health provider, do not drive if dizzy spells persist. 

References:

Role of the Vagus Nerve - https://www.ascendpt.net/post/role-of-the-vagus-nerve

The Effects of Essential Oils on the Nervous System: A Scoping Review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180368/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22279-vagus-nerve