Using Essential Oils to Soothe Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations, which feel like a racing, fluttering, or pounding heart, often come on suddenly and cause distress. While occasional blips are usually harmless, frequent or prolonged palpitations may indicate an underlying heart condition that requires medical attention. However, essential oils provide a complementary therapy for calming palpitations and supporting heart health when used properly.
What Causes Heart Palpitations?
Heart palpitations have several potential triggers, including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Strong emotions
- Caffeine or stimulants
- Fever or illness
- Dehydration
- Hormone changes
- Heart disease
- Medication side effects
Figuring out what factors produce your palpitations provides insight into the best treatments.
Lifestyle Changes for Preventing Palpitations
Making certain lifestyle adjustments may minimize heart flutters, such as:
- Reducing alcohol and caffeine
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Practicing stress management
- Getting enough sleep
Integrating essential oils alongside these positive lifestyle changes can reinforce a heart-healthy routine.
Essential Oils for Soothing Palpitations
Many essential oils have natural properties that calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, reduce blood pressure, and stabilize heart rhythms. Using them as an integrative approach alongside any medical care provides comforting, aromatherapeutic plant power.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is renowned for easing nervous system distress. Studies demonstrate lavender’s ability to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic nervous system arousal. The soothing floral scent also alleviates anxiety. Lavender is gentle enough for regular use by most people.
Rub several drops of lavender oil over the heart area during palpitations or add to an diffuser at night for relief.
Sweet Marjoram Oil
The rich, herbaceous, slightly spicy aroma of sweet marjoram oil also strongly promotes calm and normal heart function. It is traditionally used to ease nervous heart symptoms and lower blood pressure. Sweet marjoram makes an excellent addition to massage oil to rub onto the chest or add to a warm bath to inhale the aroma.
Frankincense Oil
Studies show frankincense essential oil meaningfully reduces blood pressure and regulates heart rate and breathing frequency. This ancient aromatic resin may also improve anxiety and depression. Add a few frankincensure drops alongside lavender into an infuser and inhale during palpitations or anytime stress seems to trigger flutters.
Other Oils
Clary sage, cedarwood, rose, and ylang ylang oils also exhibit calming properties to potentially steady heart symptoms linked to stress or anxiety. Experiment to find which scents you respond to best.
Application Methods for Heart Palpitation Relief
Essential oils have flexibility to use in different methods depending on your needs in the moment:
Topical Application
Apply essential oils diluted with a carrier oil directly onto the skin overlying the heart. Lightly massage to aid absorption. This localized approach brings oils into close contact with cardiac receptors.
Aromatherapy
Inhale essential oil molecules dispersing into the air through methods like:
- Room diffusers
- Personal inhalers
- Steam inhalation
- Scented sprays
- Baths
Inhaling aroma molecules has rapid effects, making aromatherapy great for acute episodes of palpitations until they pass.
Internal Use
While mostly safe used topically or for inhalation, essential oils can be risky if ingested. Consult your doctor before using oils internally, such as diluting in a beverage.
Precautions for Using Essential Oils Safely
While hugely beneficial, using essential oils for heart palpitations comes with some precautions:
Quality
Therapeutic grade oils ensure purity and potency over fragrance grade oils with synthetic additives. Seek out reputable brands harvested from sustainable sources.
Dilution
Unless noted, always dilute essential oils before applying to skin with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or aloe vera gel to prevent irritation. Follow specific guidelines based on oil chemistry and personal tolerance.
Ingestion Caution
Be very careful before ingesting oils internally which can provoke side effects in high concentrations. Discuss with your doctor and only use high quality oil in minute amounts if pursued.
Medication Interactions
Essential oils can potentially react with certain medications like blood thinners, heart medications, and antidepressants. Check for contraindicated interactions for your prescriptions.
Stay attentive to any side effects when using new oils, cease use if reactions occur, and check with your doctor establishing appropriate essential oil use with your medical history.
When to See a Doctor
While incorporating essential oils into a heart-conscious lifestyle can foster wellness, they should complement standard care from a doctor if you experience:
- Frequent or sustained palpitations
- Palpitations with dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- New palpitations if over age 50
Various heart disorders like arrhythmias, valve abnormalities, or blockages can underlie bothersome palpitations. Meeting with a doctor allows proper diagnosis of any cardiac conditions through exams, stress tests, bloodwork, and imaging like echocardiograms or holter monitors when appropriate.
Do not attempt to exclusively self-treat heart symptoms with essential oils without knowing the cause. But using essential oils as a supportive measure can help soothe your mind and body while undergoing standard cardiac care.
Occasional heart flutters are typically harmless. But persistent or distressing palpitations deserve an evaluation to uncover root causes and determine suitable lifestyle approaches - like harnessing the botanical benefits of essential oils - to find relief and nurture your heart.
FAQs
How can essential oils help with heart palpitations?
Many essential oils like lavender, frankincense, and marjoram have properties that reduce blood pressure, steady heart rhythms, alleviate anxiety, and stabilize nervous system activity that triggers palpitations.
How should essential oils be used for heart symptoms?
Essential oils can be gently rubbed over the heart area, diffused and inhaled, added to baths, or even taken internally in minute amounts under medical guidance. Follow specific safety precautions for essential oil use.
Can essential oils completely treat palpitations?
Essential oils help minimize palpitations, especially those related to anxiety and stress. But they should complement standard medical care to diagnose and manage any underlying heart conditions causing bothersome palpitations.
Which essential oil is best for calming heart flutters?
The most effective options include lavender oil to alleviate anxiety, sweet marjoram to stabilize the heart, and frankincense to lower blood pressure. Create supportive blends catered to your symptoms.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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