Why are essential oils good for trauma?

• 22 August 2017
• Jane Evans
• 1 comment

I’ve got an oil for that!

It might sound a bit ridiculous to say that an essential oil could help a child who has grown up living in a state of fear every day. Even more so if their ‘no-escape’ trauma began before they were born.

How can something extracted from a plant help create a sense of safety and calmness? If a child in foster or kinship care, or living with their adoptive family has been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, RAD, on the autistic spectrum or some other trauma-related ‘disorder’ can use of essential oils really be effective?

What has nature to offer for trauma?

For years I have worked with traumatized children, parents, kinship and foster carers and I have seen similar things:

• Children diagnosed or waiting to be diagnosed
• Adult carers with stress/anxiety/depression
• Adult carers with a range of physical health needs – back, shoulder, neck, wrist pain, breathing difficulties, cancers, migraines, stomach/bowel/bladder problems, exhaustion to name a few
• Children being medicated for ADHD and other conditions sometimes with heavy duty drugs

Modern medicine offers an array of chemicals that have been created to mimic, reduce or stimulate missing or over-production of natural body chemicals. The problem is they are alien to the body and brain as they are not natural. Essential oils work with the body and brain in a way that nature intended them to.

Of course, any changes we make, or make for the children, especially relating to trauma need to be done cautiously and gradually. If they are under a doctor or specialist then consultation is a must, along with personal research.

Why could plant-based oils help with trauma?

“Plant remedies, known as essential oils, have been used throughout the world for millennia and are one of nature’s most powerful support tools available to help your body heal itself.”

Source: The Essential Life, 2015

Until January 2016 the only time I had used an essential oil was…..to get rid of a horrible after smell from getting my trainers wet!! Honestly, I read that lavender would help. I think I might have tried tea tree too for a piercing that wouldn’t heal.

Anyhow, a trusted friend and experienced yoga teacher invited me to try them. I joined a small class and witnessed the calming effects they had. We tracked changes in energy in our bodies, which often gets trapped in our upper body fight/flight system.

After putting balancing, grounding oils on there was a shift with more energy flow into the lower rest and digest area of our bodies. That was more than enough for me as it fits perfectly with what I know about how trauma gets stored and trapped as body sensations and memories.

“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.”
Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Living alongside trauma can create 

Foster carers, kinship carers, and adoptive parents live with children who have experienced high levels of fear, stress, and trauma. Therefore, keeping their own body systems balanced, regulated and well has to be a priority. ‘The helpers need to be healthy!’

I frequently work with amazing carers and parents who get sick because they are so focused on the children’s all-consuming needs there is no time or energy left for themselves.

Trauma is exhausting to be around as the child’s energy is either very high or very low or a chaotic mix of the two. Even at night, there are few opportunities to really let the body and brain recharge and create enough wellness not to then be pulled back into the trauma-tornado!

What can essential oils be used for?

Grounding – calmness, focus, safety, relaxation, sense of safety, connection with body as a resource

Physical comfort – stomach cramps, muscle pain, migraines

Emotional needs – grief, loss, protection from others emotions, abandonment, low mood, fear, frustration, anger, connection to others, sadness…….

Really effective for trauma are vetiver, serenity, white fir, cedar wood but it is a very individual experience. I ONLY use DoTERRA certified therapeutic grade essential oils as their purity is second to none! DoTERRA exclusively harvest plants grown in their natural habitat, extract the oils gently and get them checked independently.

Since my first DoTERRA essential oils experience, I’ve educated myself by using different ones for a range of emotional needs. Primarily to reduce anxiety but also to feel more self-assured, and to have good quality sleep.

We are all different so whilst I find vetiver grounds me like no other, it might be too much or need a smaller dose for a child. When I need a lift it’s always wild orange, or bergamot, I could go on and on and on!

It stinks….give me more!

Children love the purity of DoTERRA oils, their bodies and brains respond in a simple and fast way to them. Interestingly, highly anxious children may initially say they all ‘stink’ and then fall in love with them!

Because I love these oils, I now advise others on ways to use DoTERRA oils to improve wellness reduce stress and protect against the absorption of the emotions and energy of others. Whilst caring for traumatized children is all about being empathetic; this can be emotionally and physically overwhelming. Before you ask….yes, I do have an oil for that…. (Basil)!!

In my Wellness & Resilience Workshops and in my 1:1 coaching I introduce the oils. If you are attending one of my workshops soon, you will be able to sniff, dab, breathe in, taste, roll on and find out more about these beautiful oils.

Meanwhile, if you would like to explore how an oil or two could support your wellness when living around trauma and create a greater sense of inner safety for the children too, get in touch.

To discuss your Wellness and Resilience Workshop   or 1:1 Wellness Consultation:

E: janeevans61@hotmail.co.uk

M: 07455281247