One can never pay too much attention to the vagus nerve. In fact, it’s one of the hottest topics in wellness right now! This is because this tenth cranial nerve is critical in regulating many essential body functions, including of the heart, gut, brain, and lungs.
We’ve touched upon the vagus nerve a few times with several amazing experts on the Essential Oils Revolution podcast! In this episode, I’m back for another solo episode in which I explore in more depth what some of my favorite essential oils are to support our vagus nerve. These essential oils were selected based on my clinical experience, their traditional use, and that they also have some evidence of favorably modulating our nervous system in scientific research. 

What You Will Learn:

The three parts of your autonomic nervous system and how they impact body physiology.

The functions of the vagus nerve and how it can affect healing and restoration. 

An overview of the multiple ways essential oils can calm the mind-body and support vagal tone.

How essential oils influence our biochemistry and neurology to favorably benefit the vagus nerve.

A review of the ways that lavender essential oil modulates the nervous system and vagal tone.

What we can use to measure parasympathetic activity, including heart rate variability, which reflects vagal tone.

Some of the issues with essential oil research. 

An overview of the research on bergamot oil for calming the parasympathetic nervous system, which is mediated by the vagus nerve. 

The studies on ylang ylang oil for positively influencing the vagal response. 

If you should use an essential oil if you don’t like the smell and how this relates to the nervous system. 

Two honorable mentions of essential oils for regulating the vagus nerve response, petitgrain and fir oils.

How volatile compounds from tree oils can mediate the negative effects of stress.

A summary of how essential oils can optimize vagus nerve function and are applicable to the polyvagal theory.

Have you used lavender oil, bergamot oil, ylang ylang, petitgrain, or fir oils to support your emotional health? 
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Resources:

My Blogs, Videos, and Research Reviews on the Vagus Nerve:

What is the Vagus Nerve and Why is It So Popular

Healing Trauma Through the Vagus Nerve: The Polyvagal Theory, the Nervous System, and Essential Oils

Essential Oils, the Vagus Nerve, and the Polyvagal Theory


My Three Favorite Essential Oils for the Vagus Nerve (+ 2 Honorable Mentions) which links to the studies reviewed


Links to Learn More About My Offerings and Education on Essential Oils:

My Essential Oils Community Membership

My Resource Page

My CEU Course for Practitioners on the Clinical Use of Essential Oils



Previous Episodes with Expert Guest Who Highlighted the Vagus Nerve:

Ep. 396: Calming the Parasympathetic Nervous System and Brain Support with Essential Oils with Jodi Cohen (link not up yet)

Ep. 387: Using Essential Oils for Healthy, Thriving, Happy Kids with Integrative Pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song

Ep. 386: The Polyvagal Theory, Calming the Limbic System, and Essential Oils with Dr. Thomas Moorcroft

Ep. 298: Applied Neurology, The Vagus Nerve, and EOs with Dr. Kim Trager


Ep. 281: Burgeoning Science & Bergamot with Dr. Danielle Daniel (interview with Samantha and referenced in this podcast)


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