How do essential oils work?

Essential oils have many uses but aromatherapy is at the top of the list. These oils are believed to have the potential to improve your physical, mental and emotional health naturally by enhancing the way the body functions as a whole. For example, oils that relieve stress and anxiety help you relax and they have the potential to improve sleep patterns. When you feel calm and rested, you naturally feel happier and more energetic.

One of the first things most people learn when using essential oils is that a little goes a long way. These oils are very powerful and contain different therapeutic compounds that offer a variety of health benefits, but do you know how essential oils work? Below is a quick overview of what happens when these oils enter the body.

Inhaling Essential Oils

The brain responds to smells automatically. When you smell something familiar, it often triggers memories. For example, the smell of pumpkin pie might remind you of spending Halloween at grandma’s house or a certain perfume scent may bring back memories of someone you love.

When you inhale essential oils, the therapeutic properties of the oil go to work right away. Here’s why. As you inhale, the tiny particles that make up the oil travel through your nasal passage. The hairs along this passageway collect the particles. The mucous lining quickly absorbs them into the body where they are sent directly to the olfactory bulb in the brain. Here the scent is identified and the sensation triggered by the smell is sent to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that responds to psychological and emotional feelings.

From here, it travels through the nerves to the part of the brain that deals with hormone secreting and to areas responsible for keeping body functions regulated. All of this happens within seconds of inhaling the oils. You can inhale essential oils with a diffuser or breathe in the steam after adding them to hot water. You can also add them to bath water or inhale them directly from the bottle.

Applying Essential Oils Topically

The skin absorbs the essential oils into the bloodstream very quickly. As it enters the bloodstream, it’s distributed throughout the body where it enhances the different systems and improves the way the body functions naturally. Depending on which oils you use, they may help revitalize and detoxify the liver and kidneys, aid the digestive system or improve skin conditions.

The skin will absorb the oil even faster if applied to the temples, wrists, and back of the neck. Use carrier oil to help prevent irritation from occurring due to the strength of these oils. Carrier oils also make it easier to apply the oil and help it go a litter further, saving you money. Apply to the oils directly to specific areas or use as massage oil. However, be aware that some oils are too strong and should not be used topically.

Understanding how essential oils work once they enter the body has several benefits. It helps you determine if using these oils as a holistic approach to treating or managing health issues is right for you. Most importantly, it helps you understand the importance of using them responsibly.