My Pendulum Experience with Nausea Aromatherapy Treatment & Accupressure

Matthew Sulpizi

22d (edited) • General discussions

Hey Mavericks,

I just wanted to share a pendulum experience.

Last week, I attended my very first class with

@Jane Lawson

, titled Dowsing for Essential Oils.

This was a great class and one I recommend to anyone.

This morning, I had to wake up early to attend a webinar hosted by Aromatherapist

@Robin Kessler

that started at 6:00 am AEST.

I had awakened with really bad nausea that did not want to go away, and so I decided to dowse for a remedy.

I used my black obsidian pendulum over my collection of essential oils, and it chose the following (note I have added hyperlinks which take you to the essential oil page of one of my suppliers - Aromatics Internationals:

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Lemon (Citrus Limon)
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

After it chose these oils, I then asked for the method to use them, and I was expecting it to choose an inhalation route, but instead, the pendulum decided on massage oil.

So, I asked what base ingredient it wanted, and it selected Sweet Almond (Prunus dulcis).

I proceeded to dowse for the dose of each essential oil, and this is what the pendulum chose for me (Note I have added hyperlinks which take you to the essential oil page of you to one of my suppliers - Florihana):

6 drop Sweet Orange
5 drops Roman Chamomile
1 drop Ginger
1 drop Lemon
1 drop Frankincense

I formulated this into 30mls of the Sweet almond, which gave me a 2.46% dilution.

I asked the pendulum how often I would need to apply this massage oil, and it told me once.

I applied the oil onto my abdomen, and literally within 10 minutes, my nausea completely went away.

About the formulation:

This specific aromatherapy massage blend works effectively because it combines gastrointestinal (gut) relaxants with neurological (brain) calmers.

Applying this formulation to the stomach allows the active volatile molecules to absorb transdermally (through the skin) while simultaneously releasing therapeutic vapors for you to inhale.

By combining these five specific oils, the pendulums blend addresses digestion and nausea from multiple angles:

Sweet Orange (6 drops - The Core Digestion Tonic): As the dominant oil, its high concentration of d-limonene relaxes the smooth muscles of your gastrointestinal tract. This directly eases painful bloating, helps disperse trapped gas, and stimulates healthy gastric motility to move stagnant food along.

Roman Chamomile (5 drops - The Antispasmodic): Rich in soothing esters, it acts like a physical "brake" on a churning stomach. It stops the violent, involuntary cramping and reverse peristalsis (the physical retching motion) that causes acute nausea. It is also highly effective for stress-induced or "knotted" stomachs.

Ginger (1 drop - The Emetic Blocker): Even at a single drop, ginger is incredibly potent. Its active gingerols and zingiberene work locally and aromatherapeutically to block 5-HT3 (serotonin) receptors in the gut and brain stem, which are the main chemical triggers for the vomiting reflex.

Lemon (1 drop - The Sensory Cleanser): Lemon provides a sharp, uplifting aromatic note. When inhaled during the massage, its citral and limonene content stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin in your brain, instantly distracting the nervous system from feelings of dizziness or queasiness.

Frankincense (1 drop - The Nervous System Grounder): Frankincense addresses the emotional and nervous side of digestive distress. It deepens your breathing and activates the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system, lowering stress-induced stomach acid and tension.

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis):
As a lightweight emollient rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, it easily penetrates the skin's lipid barrier. It slowly carries the anti-nausea molecules of dissolved essential oils into the local capillaries and bloodstream for sustained relief.

How the Massage blend was applied:

Smooth, clockwise circular strokes on the abdomen (following the natural path of the colon) manually stimulate bowel motility, encourage the release of digestive enzymes, and generate local heat to further soothe cramping.

It also stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin. This triggers a parasympathetic nervous system response, lowering heart rate and cortisol levels to disrupt stress-induced or anxiety-driven nausea.

The physical manipulation of the stomach area helps move stagnant food and trapped gases down the digestive tract, physically easing the internal pressure that causes queasiness.

With the remaining oil on my hands, I also performed an acupressure massage, to massage target points (refer to photos) using the pad of finger tips, applying enough pressure to give a brusiy feeling without being painful, moving in circular clockwise motions for 2 minutes per acupoint.

1. Pericardium 6 (PC6) – The Primary Anti-Nausea Point

This is the most clinically proven acupressure point for treating all forms of nausea, including motion sickness, morning sickness, and post-surgery queasiness.

Location: Located on your inner forearm. Place three fingers flat across your wrist crease, starting from the base of your palm. The point is located just under your index finger, directly between the two large, prominent tendons in the center of your arm.

2. Ren 12 (CV12) – The Stomach Comfort Point

This point interacts directly with the solar plexus and helps relieve abdominal bloating, severe gas, acid reflux, and a "knotted" stomach.

Location: Located on the midline of your abdomen, exactly halfway between the base of your breastbone (sternum) and your belly button (umbilical cord).

3. Stomach 36 (ST36) – The Digestion Energizer

Known traditionally as "Leg Three Miles," this point boosts sluggish digestion, treats constipation, reduces stomach cramps, and relieves fatigue associated with nausea.

Location: Located on the lower leg, about four finger-widths below the bottom of your kneecap, and one finger-width out toward the outside of your shinbone. If you flex your foot up and down, you will feel a muscle move under your finger at this spot.

4. Ren 6 (CV6) – The Lower Abdomen Release

This point helps regulate bowel motility, treats lower abdominal bloating, and eases overall digestive anxiety.

Location: Located on the midline of your lower abdomen, exactly two finger-widths directly below your belly button.

So, about the individual oils:

Sweet Orange

Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) essential oil helps relieve digestive issues and nausea primarily through its high concentration of d-limonene, a powerful monoterpene that constitutes 65% to 95% of the oil.

This active compound works in tandem with the oil's aromatherapeutic properties to calm the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, ease tightness, bloating, and mild cramping. The aroma of sweet orange stimulates the olfactory system, which signals the limbic system of the brain to reduce cortisol and ease nervous tension.

The bright uplifting aroma of sweet orange interrupts the neural pathways that signal the vomiting reflex (vagal nerve stimulation), which provides an immediate sensory distraction and calms a queasy stomach (vagus nerve stimulatoion)

Studies show that d-limonene helps protect the stomach lining. It boosts the production of protective gastric mucus and supports prostaglandins, shielding the stomach from irritation and acid discomfort.

The oil acts as a digestive tonic by encouraging the release of bile and digestive enzymes to help break down stored fats in the body. This accelerates sluggish digestion, supports the liver, and helps regulate bowel movements to alleviate both constipation and flatulence.

Possible skin irritant if oil is oxidized. Will improve the absorption of vitamin C supplements and serums. May trigger bouts of diarrhoea.

Roman Chamomile:

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) essential oil helps relieve nausea primarily through its powerful antispasmodic and central nervous system (CNS) sedative properties.

The high concentration of natural esters acts as a powerful smooth-muscle relaxant. It stops the reverse peristalsis (involuntary cramping and churning) in the stomach and intestines that directly triggers the physical sensation of wanting to vomit.

Nausea is intimately linked to the nervous system. Roman Chamomile acts as a mild sedative on the central nervous system, lowering heart rate and suppressing the fight-or-flight response. This makes it highly effective against nausea caused by anxiety, panic, or emotional stress.

Traditional use and preliminary pharmacological data suggest that chamomile components help suppress the production of specific prostaglandins (like PGE2). This limits the localized chemical inflammation in the gut lining that sends "distress signals" to the brain’s vomiting center.

Inhaling its sweet, herbaceous, apple-like aroma triggers the olfactory bulb to disrupt active nausea signaling, providing immediate relief from dizziness or motion sickness.

It is also excellent to help with flatulence or wind in general, constipation, diarrhea, and IBS.

Not to be used at any stage during pregnancy if there is a history of miscarriage or breakthrough bleeding, otherwise avoid during the first trimester.

It can trigger allergies in some.

Ginger

Zingiber officinale (ginger) essential oil is one of the most thoroughly researched natural remedies for nausea. It treats symptoms through a dual mechanism: interacting directly with neurotransmitters in the brain via inhalation, and altering gastrointestinal motility when applied topically.

Its physical and chemical properties alleviate nausea through several distinct pathways:

1. Antagonizing Serotonergenic (5-HT3) Receptors:

Blocking Vomiting Triggers: The active volatile components in ginger oil, such as the sesquiterpene a-zingiberene (26.42%), act as natural 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.
Interrupting Brain Signaling: Over-activation of serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the gut and brain stem is what physically triggers the vomiting reflex. Ginger compounds block these receptors, intercepting the distress signals before they reach the central nervous system.

2. Enhancing Gastric Motility and Emptying

Eliminating Stagnation: Nausea is frequently caused by a sluggish gut or delayed gastric emptying.
Prokinetic Effect: Ginger essential oil exerts a prokinetic action, which accelerates digestion and stimulates healthy antral contractions in the stomach. Moving food and trapped gases along the intestinal tract eliminates the stagnant, "too full" feeling that provokes standard nausea.

3. Calming Vagal Nerve Hyperactivity

Soothes Gut Spasms: The oil functions as a local cholinergic antagonist in the gut, meaning it relaxes hyperactive intestinal muscle spasms. This stops the intense, erratic shifting of the stomach walls that results in retching.
Vagal Communication: Relaxing these tissues curbs hyperactive feedback loops travelling up the vagal nerve to the brain's emetic (vomiting) center.

Ginger should be avoided if pregnant or breastfeeding and not for children or babies. Do not use if you have stomach ulcers or if you are allergic to ginger.

Note - if you have it, I have a hunch the pendulum would have chosen Ginger CO2 Total extract over the essential oil, as the CO2 also has gingerols, which also act as natural 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Lemon

Citrus limon (lemon) essential oil helps relieve nausea primarily by triggering olfactory pathways that alter neurotransmitter activity in the brain. It is heavily backed by clinical trials, particularly for its ability to suppress Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (NVP/morning sickness), postoperative recovery, and chemotherapy-induced symptoms.

Its physical and chemical properties alleviate nausea through several targeted pathways:

1. Neurotransmitter Regulation (Serotonin and Dopamine)

Modulating the Emetic Center: The primary chemical constituents in lemon oil, namely d-limonene (59.43%) and citral (geranial 2.28% and neral, 1.42%), are absorbed rapidly via the nasal mucosa during inhalation.

The "Feel Good" Interruption: These compounds stimulate the olfactory bulb to trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin in the central nervous system. This direct shift in brain chemistry suppresses the activity of the emetic (vomiting) center in the brain stem, lowering the urge to retch.

2. Rapid Sensory Overwrite via the Limbic System

Olfactory Distraction: Nausea relies heavily on neurological feedback loops. The bright, sharp, and highly refreshing scent of lemon oil provides a massive sensory distraction.
Calming the Autonomic Nervous System: It sends immediate calming impulses to the limbic system (the brain's emotional and sensory center), shifting the body away from the hyperactive sympathetic "fight-or-flight" state that sustains active nausea, dizziness, and cold sweats.

3. Salivary Stimulation and Acid Neutralisation

The Salivary Reflex: Simply smelling the tart profile of lemon oil automatically signals the autonomic nervous system to produce saliva.
Stomach Calming: Increased saliva contains natural bicarbonate precursors that, when swallowed, help physically soothe a hyper-acidic or churning stomach lining, which is a major local contributor to general queasiness.

Lemon is known for calming all types of digestive issues as it helps promote optimal liver function if the liver is sluggish, whilst helping the bowel to begin to move if constipated. It also assists with excess acidity in the gut, but this is likely only effective via oral administration.

Lemon essential oil should not be used during cancer treatment. Possible skin irritant if oxidized. Expressed/Cold-pressed oil is phototoxic. Distilled lemon is not phototoxic.

Frankincense:

Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) essential oil helps relieve nausea primarily through its profound impact on the nervous system, emotional center, and respiratory control, rather than by directly altering stomach mechanics like ginger or lemon. It is useful not only to soothe indigestion, but also for excess wind and belching. Is hepatoprotective and acts as a liver tonic.

Rich in alpha-pinene (31.92%) and d-limonene (20.14%), frankincense is particularly effective for nausea triggered by anxiety, panic, severe stress, pain, or environmental overstimulation.

1. Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System

Breaking the Panic-Nausea Loop: Stress, anxiety, and panic attacks stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing a "fight-or-flight" response that slows digestion and triggers sudden, severe nausea or a knotted stomach.
Activating the Parasympathetic State: Inhaling frankincense oil rapidly stimulates the limbic system (the brain's emotional hub), lowering cortisol levels, slowing a racing heart rate, and shifting the body into a relaxed parasympathetic state. This instantly relieves the nervous tension that fuels psychogenic nausea.

2. Deepening Respiration (Diaphragmatic Breathing)

The Anti-Emetic Breathing Reflex: Active waves of nausea often cause shallow, rapid breathing, which heightens the sensation of dizziness and retching.
Expanding Breath: The heavy, grounding, balsamic aroma of frankincense naturally causes the respiratory passages to relax, encouraging deeper, slower, and more deliberate diaphragmatic breathing. Deep breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, which suppresses the brain's emetic (vomiting) reflex.

3. Mitigating Pain-Induced Nausea

Managing Sensory Overload: Severe physical pain—such as from migraines, intense menstrual cramps, or injuries—frequently triggers secondary nausea and cold sweats.
Analgesic Properties: While frankincense does not cure the underlying pain instantly, its chemical constituents have mild analgesic and highly grounding properties that dull the central nervous system's perception of pain, subsequently lowering the intensity of the accompanying nausea.

4. Grounding Environmental Overstimulation

Clearing Sensory Triggers: For individuals sensitive to intense smells, bright lights, or chaotic environments (such as those undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from vestibular/inner-ear dizziness), frankincense acts as a powerful sensory anchor. Its earthy, woody aroma masks chaotic environmental scents without triggering the olfactory hypersensitivity that sweeter or spicier oils sometimes do.

No known contraindications, though

@Jane Lawson

recommends using caution during pregnancy, with the oil best avoided up until the third trimester to err on the side of caution.

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My Pendulum Experience with Nausea Aromatherapy Treatment & Accupressure