Essential oils have psychological and physiological benefits by affecting the nervous system and entering the bloodstream after absorption. We can achieve therapeutic effects through inhaling or skin absorption. The most efficient way to have the benefits of essential oils is through inhalation as it directly affects the brain. Alternatively, massaging, adding to a bath, or using a cream can help absorb oils through the skin which provides therapeutic and healing properties by entering the bloodstream.
It is important to keep in mind that essential oils evaporate rapidly when exposed to air. Thus, when using them, inhalation of some oil is inevitable regardless of how they are being used. Since most people use essential oils for massage, it’s crucial to note that both the skin and lungs play a vital role in the absorption and effectiveness of the oils.
Inhaling essential oils
It is believed that humans can distinguish over 10,000 different scents. Smell has the strongest connection to our emotions compared to any other sense. Our sense of smell is closely tied to our sense of well-being, and those who have lost their ability to smell may be at a higher risk of experiencing depression and anxiety. The idea behind aromatherapy is based on the direct interaction of plant based scents with our brains and body chemistry.
Processing aromas
When we breathe in a smell, it travels to our nose and special cells called “receptors” catch the smell. These cells talk to our brain and tell it what the smell is. This happens in a special part of the brain called the “olfactory bulb.” The smell can also go into our lungs and enter our bloodstream.
The effects on the body
When we smell something, it affects our brain right away. The smell can go through a protective barrier called the blood-brain barrier and reach different parts of our brain. These parts, known as the limbic system, are responsible for things like our thoughts, emotions, and basic needs like hunger and excitement. The limbic system part of our brain is also linked to our hormones.
How does the body process the inhalation of an aroma
Essential oils’ therapeutic benefits are quickly received when their aroma is inhaled since the brain processes them rapidly.
- Aromatic molecules enter the nose and bind to olfactory receptors, which send signals to the olfactory bulb at the bottom of the forebrain.
- The electrical impulses are interpreted by the forebrain as a smell, and then the unique aroma and properties of the essential oils are rapidly processed.
- Essential oils can also be inhaled through the nose and reach the lungs, entering the bloodstream and contributing to their healing properties.
Skin absorption
When essential oils are diluted, they can enter the bloodstream through the skin. The amount of oil absorbed is affected by factors such as the type of skin, the temperature of the room and the oil, and how easily the base mixed with the essential oil is absorbed.
Therapeutic touch
Combining essential oils with massage can boost the oils’ healing effects because massage induces a state of deep relaxation. Stress triggers hormones that keep you alert and prevent other bodily processes, like immunity, cellular repair, and nutrient absorption, from functioning efficiently. Massage can ease this “fight or flight” response and help activate these body systems to work effectively and efficiently again.
When you get an aromatherapy massage, you breathe in the aroma of the essential oil being used. Research shows that people who receive a massage with an essential oil blend tend to experience more therapeutic benefits than those who receive a massage with just a plain base oil. A footbath that includes lavender essential oil is more soothing and therapeutic compared to a footbath that only contains warm water. Similarly, a massage that incorporates specific essential oils known for their healing properties has proven to be more successful in relieving pain from various sources such as post-surgery, cancer, and backache compared to a massage that uses ordinary oil.
How the body absorbs oil
When you apply oils to your skin, they can enter your bloodstream. Additionally, during a massage, inhaling the aroma of oils can also provide therapeutic benefits.
- When essential oil molecules are rubbed onto the skin, they are absorbed through the pores and enter the bloodstream to take effect.
- After entering the bloodstream, the oils use the circulatory system to move throughout the body. They then have therapeutic effects on the body systems and can aid in the healing process.
In the lungs
When we use a diffuser or receive an aromatherapy massage or any other treatment involving essential oils, we inhale both air and essential oil particles. This mixture goes through our windpipe, into the bronchial tubes, and eventually reaches our lungs. Our lungs have tiny balloon-like air sacs called alveoli, surrounded by small blood vessels that help exchange gases. This process allows us to breathe in oxygen and essential oil particles while releasing waste products like carbon dioxide.
On the skin
During a body massage, a base oil (like sweet almond) mixed with a small amount of essential oil is applied on the skin. As the skin can absorb and expel certain substances with a small molecular structure being semi-permeable, the oils get absorbed into the body through the skin.
Within the body
Essential oils circulate through the bloodstream after entering the body and have therapeutic effects on specific organs or body systems. For example, rose oil has a regulating, purifying, and tonic effect on the uterus, so when its particles reach the uterus, it provides therapeutic benefits for the organ.
In the mind
In addition to physical benefits, essential oils can have significant effects on mental, emotional, and psychological well-being. For instance, rose oil is known for its anti-depressant, nerve tonic, and aphrodisiac properties, so an aromatherapist may incorporate rose into a massage blend for a woman struggling with infertility. By doing so, Rose could provide a variety of advantages for this woman, both physically and mentally.
Conclusion
To sum up, essential oils have the ability to enter the body either by inhaling or through skin absorption, which can promote both physical and mental health.
The best way to absorb essential oils is by inhaling them, because the scent molecules can have a direct impact on the brain and activate the limbic system, which controls emotions, thoughts, and basic functions.
The amount of oil absorbed through the skin can depend on factors like skin type and room temperature. Using essential oils during a massage can improve their healing benefits because the massage induces relaxation and helps the body’s systems work more effectively.
Essential oils have therapeutic effects on specific organs or body systems by circulating through the bloodstream. They provide a natural and effective way to improve overall well-being through inhalation and skin absorption.
