It was a lovely meal, a variety of your favorite foods. Perhaps a bit too much of this and that. And maybe too close to bedtime. You barely started to recline when the burning started, followed by a troublesome burp. Acid reflux once again tainted your evening.
This time it was worse than last. The sphincter muscle between your esophagus and stomach is having an issue opening and closing as expected. When stomach acid flows back up the esophagus, it can harm tissues along with causing pressure and burning. It’s definitely time to call on essential oils for digestive support!
Why Essential Oils Are Good For Acid Reflux
There are physical and emotional benefits that essential oils offer you for acid reflux concerns. The oils presented here are powerful digestion aids. Their stimulating qualities promote peristalsis, moving things along throughout your digestive tract. Among these oils are those that scavenge free radicals, releasing toxins associated with inflamed tissue.
Essential oils promote relaxation and emotional balance. Digestion woes decrease as you become more calm and stress is released. Food keeps moving, reducing the onset of acid reflux, bloating and flatulence. Let the array of compounds found in essential oils relieve you of acid reflux!
Best Essential Oils For Acid Reflux
1. Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
This lovely oil reduces stress effects. It supports sound sleep during which the cortisol level balances. When elevated, it contributes to digestive problems. Several healthy human volunteers had reduced saliva cortisol levels after smelling lavender.
The esters in lavender lift mood, promoting emotional wellbeing. Worry is released, reducing muscular tension, including that in your stomach and intestines. Lavender supports clarity and focus, reducing stressful thoughts.
Lavender can be used neat, right from the bottle, massaging some drops on your solar plexus 20 minutes before mealtime. Or spritz a lavender and lemon blend in your kitchen and dining area to promote meal preparation calm.
Best for: Reducing stress
2. Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum)
At one time or another you suffer from the upset of acid reflux. It can be disconcerting, causing you worry and disrupting relaxation and sleep. Lemon is an encouraging friend for your whole digestive system. Though it seems acidic, lemon calms a stomach that is!
According to a study of mice, lemon in a high dose was observed to have a strong protective effect as an antioxidant. These researchers noted signs of lemon interfering with free radical formation. Antioxidant care is one means of preventing reflux.
Steam inhalation brings calm to a busy day’s end.
Best for: Calming antioxidant protection
3. Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
Eucalyptus imparts a fresh, clear aroma with a touch of menthol to uplift your entire system. It possesses the terpene compounds eucalyptol and camphor that are rapidly absorbed into your body, stimulating smooth digestion.
Its cleansing actions are a tonic for mucous membranes, including those in your digestive tract. These actions help to quell acid reflux and its symptoms, such as heat, tension, and discomfort in your esophagus.
A eucalyptus diffuser brings calm to your surroundings. You can also mix a few drops with a carrier oil to massage on your upper chest, stimulating digestive action to relieve reflux.
Best for: Mucous membrane tone and stimulation
4. Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita)
Peppermint offers us its fresh aroma and digestive stimulating qualities. It aids in the breakdown of fats and limits digestive tract congestion. Added to that, it reduces muscle spasms and cramps that are signaled by a growing gut knot.
The ester menthyl acetate soothes digestive tract muscles, reducing the chance of acid reflux. Plus the analgesic effects of its ketone methone offers support when you have gastric distress. Peppermint then lightens the mental fatigue that goes along with acid reflux.
Keep handy in a personal inhaler to use if tension arises at meal time.
Best for: Stimulating digestion
5. Ginger Oil (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger gifts us with tingling spiciness. Its gnarly roots are the source of this digestive-aiding oil. Your body transforms ginger’s chemicals into gingerols that protect your digestive tract from inflammation brought on by acid reflux.
The oil offers analgesic supports, calming pain as it limits the swelling and heat of tissues that become inflamed. Terpene compounds calm gastric heat and discomfort by promoting soothing relief when your stomach is upset.
A soothing compress for your upper abdomen offers comfort and warming aromas.
Best for: Reducing the heat and pain of digestive tissues
6. Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)
Orange is reminiscent of sunshine and sweetness, sometimes with a bit of tang!. These bright qualities are part of orange oil, particularly because of the compound limonene. This conveyor of wellbeing is kind to your immune system, with the added plus of being antioxidant.
Ridding toxins protects your digestive system when the least little bit of tension creates the potential for inflamed tissues. This reduces acid reflux potential.
Add a few drops of orange to your favorite facial cream or create your own! This spritely oil also creates welcome energy in a vaporizer, especially when you’re feeling sluggish.
Best for: Providing immune system support.
7. Mandarin Oil (Citrus reticulata)
Mandarin’s tangy, sweet aroma is your introduction to this oil filled with gentle goodness. Its primary benefit the aid it provides your digestive system. The monoterpene limonene stimulates your appetite, promoting the flow of digestive juices. Mandarin metabolizes fats, important for keeping acid reflux at bay.
Mandarin gently lifts your mood, a benefit of the alcohol geraniol. Any stress or nervous tension melts away, something quite helpful if your meal involves aroused emotions.
Prepare a bath to promote restful sleep by adding a few drops of mandarin to a milk dispersant, mixing the blend in your bath water.
Best for: Gentle appetite and digestive encouragement.
8. Dill Oil (Anethum graveolens)
The thought of dill perks me up, knowing how it brightens mood and takes care of digestion at the same time. That is just what this oil does, as it boosts immune system ability. Plus digestive juices are regulated and microbes are flushed from stomach and intestines. You’ll welcome dill’s support for discomfort that occurs with acid reflux.
Dill is loaded with compounds, including eugenol, vicene, and limonene that have antioxidant qualities. These protect cells from becoming inflamed, a process that contributes to acid reflux.
Combine with a carrier oil to massage across your stomach.
Best for: Soothing digestion focused nervous tension.
Best Essential Oils For Acid Reflux Recipes
Reflux Reducing Oil
Your stomach is acidic plus you have reflux. You certainly don’t need this added stress. This blend helps to quell the beasts within. It brings to mind the fresh aromas and colors of a summer garden. The oils offer your digestive system relief as they calm your nerves.
- 30 ml of coconut oil
- 4 drops of lemon
- 4 drops of lavender
- 2 drops of eucalyptus
Pour the oils into a glass amber or cobalt blue bottle and blend well.
Massage onto your upper abdomen just below the end of your breastbone. Focus on inhaling this blend’s aromas as you massage.
Fantastic Digestion Facial Cream
Yes, I know, putting digestion and facial cream together seems rather odd. Think of it though, digestion begins with food aromas picked up by your nose, making your mouth water in anticipation of some form of deliciousness. So, why not add a lilting cream to the fun? Especially one that aids in acid reflux avoidance!
- 60 ml of avocado carrier oil
- 12 drops of orange
- 8 drops of peppermint
- 6 drop of eucalyptus
- 4 drops of ginger
Pour the oils into a glass amber or cobalt blue bottle and blend well.
A little goes a long way with this cream. Begin by applying a couple of dabs on your cheeks and across your chin. This cream also nourishes and moisturizes your skin as it brightens your day!
Inhaler Aid For Acid Reflux
This personal inhaler is dandy to have on hand whenever you feel the onset of tension around mealtime.
- Begin with a small glass bottle and a piece of soft fabric.
- 2 drops of mandarin
- 2 drops of dill
- 1 drop of ginger
Drop the oils onto the cloth. Fold and insert into the bottle. If tension arises when it’s time to eat, set aside a few quiet minutes to waft the bottle beneath your nose. Slowly inhale the aromas, welcoming their support for your digestion and mood.
To Summarize
- Acid reflux occurs when stomach juices back up into the esophagus. The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and stomach is not working properly. There are a number of causes, including meal size and time between eating and lying down. Tension is another contributor.
- Essential oils prevent or reduce reflux by stimulating digestion, easing stress, ridding toxins, and supporting inflamed tissues.
- Oils that are aids when plagued by acid reflux are ginger, lemon, mandarin, eucalyptus, orange, lavender, peppermint, and dill.
- Tips for use include steam inhalation, diffuser, face cream, bath, massage oil, compress, personal inhaler, and spritzer.
Read more:
- Ginger Essential Oil Benefits For Swelling, Skin, Nausea (But MUCH More…)
- Essential Oils For Relaxation [Top 8] & How To Use Including Recipes!
