The last few years has given renewed voice to the topic of anxiety. Although stress has long been discussed as a prevalent cause of disease in recent human experience, the physical limitations of our living conditions due to the pandemic has brought us face to face with our emotions in increased isolation and intensity. These circumstances have afforded some of us more opportunities for self reflection as well. Initially, this road to awareness has not been a welcomed one for me personally, but one I have grown to appreciate.
At first thought, sitting with anxiety might be counter to logical thinking. When we see or experience something that is perceived as a threat, there is a cascade of events that stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, commonly called the “fight or flight response”. So logically, we would take some action to alleviate the stressors. Sometimes a well timed physical activity like biking, swimming or a yoga class can alleviate the stress response. Sometimes not. And what if there is no specific incident and you are still getting this same response? Additionally, there is another response to perceived danger and that is to “freeze”. The phrase “playing possum” comes to mind. Animals in the wild, such as the possum, will instinctually freeze, appearing dead to a predator. In either case, sometimes the emotions relative to a particular thought or traumatic experience gets trapped in our bodies as memories. (See Molecules of Emotion by Dr. Candice Pert.) Sometimes the symptoms keep revisiting, long after the thought or incident has ceased.
This is where sitting quietly and listening to your body, specifically to your heart, can not only encourage a relaxed or parasympathetic state, but can also be enlightening. In the major medical classics of Chinese Medicine, the heart is said to house the Shen, which translates to spirit or emotional/mental body. If we really listen to the heart, we can hear, see, know, what we really need intuitively. Some of us may want the help of a practitioner. Many times the information you gather while listening can aid the practitioner in the treatment room. Feedback on where in your body you feel the anxiety, the symptoms and emotions around the anxiety, can be extremely helpful information. Sometimes emotions can cause blockages that cause pain in the body. Acupuncture can be an effective tool to release these blockages and the pain. It is common in an acupuncture session that not only muscles and tissues are released, but also emotions. The patient will cry, sign, laugh, etc…due to this phenomenon of releasing emotions previously trapped in the body.
The application of essential oils to acupuncture points called aroma acupoint therapy (AAT), can be beneficial for treating anxiety and numerous other conditions. The inhalation of the essences are able to breach the blood brain barrier and has “direct access to the amygdala”, according to Jade Shutes from The School of Aromatic Studies. The amygdala is particularly involved with fear and anxiety and the inhalation of certain oils “can potentially interrupt the stress response at this level”. Two organic essential oils I like using to interrupt the stress response and enhance the process of listening to my body are Bergamot and Damask Rose. (See treatment below). I usually use a 10% dilution in jojoba oil. This is a good dilution when using 1-2 drops for a topical treatment of AAT. If using more than a couple of drops, as in massage, most practitioners use a 2-3% dilution.
Bergamot is a hybridization of the bitter orange and the Persian citron created by the Arabs. (See Aromatica, Vol 1 by Peter Holmes, p.136-139). Bergamot has sweet, lemony notes and is uplifting and relaxing at the same time. It is an autonomic nervous system regulator, relaxant and restorative. The spirit of this essence encourages insight by balancing the right and left hemispheres of the brain, the analytical and intuitive sides. Side note; this essential oil contains furanocoumarins, which is strongly photosensitizing, so don’t sunbath after application or you will get a sunburn.
Damask Rose essential oil has many profound properties and has an affinity for the heart. It is a calmative and neurotonic and “engenders bliss, peacefulness and protection”, according to Tiffany Pollard. It reminds us “…that despite our wounds, we are whole and ever-new.” In Chinese medicine terminology it “calms the Shen” or spirit. The heart and the mind work together. The correct order or balance is when the heart leads. Because the job of the mind is to keep us safe, it will look for possible dangers to avoid. This can bring up the emotion of fear and cause anxiety. When the heart leads it opens up our experiences to endless possibilities. The use of Bergamot and Damask Rose essential oils on specific acupuncture points aid in the balancing of the emotional and mind body which encourages insights and therefore correct action.
Listening to the Heart Protocol
Sit in a comfortable seated position or lie down face up. Imagine becoming one with the chair, mat or whatever surface you are on. To ground yourself, imagine sending “roots” from your tailbone or feet through the floor and down deep into the center of the earth.
Take an inhale of Bergamot to begin. Place 1-2 drops of Bergamot on one pinky finger and transfer the oil to the pinky finger of the other hand by gently pressing them together. Place fingers with essential oil on point Shen Men in both ears. Gently hold on points for 1-2 minutes.
Take an inhale of Damask Rose. Place 1-2 drops of Damask Rose on an index finger and gently place over the heart space at CV17. Gently hold finger on point for 1-2 minutes. Then sit or lie comfortably, taking slow, full breaths and exhales. Do this for 5 to 15 minutes or longer and see what comes up.
Point location for Auricular Point Shen Men: Located in the Triangular Fossa of the ear, in the midline of the fossa closest to the interior curve.
Point location for Conception Vessel or CV17: Located on the anterior midline, at the level of the 4th intercostal space, midway between the nipples; or the most tender spot as you slide finger down the midline of the chest.