How do essential oils enter the body

Shopping Cart Your cart is empty Continue Shopping. How Essential Oils Work. Essential oils enter our bodies either through absorption through the skin, or inhalation via the nose. They are able to affect the body through several systems and pathways and create an effect much more quickly than taking a pill, which must travel to the stomach and begin to be digested before any effect can be seen.

When essential oils are applied to the skin they are absorbed and travel around the body via the bloodstream. Absorption is increased by massage, as this increases the circulation in that area of the body. With regulation of the profession we need to have conclusive proof of what we say aromatherapy does and solidarity if we are to work alongside mainstream healthcare providers and continue the growing trend of integrated medicine.

Massage is only one way of. The other way volatile essential oils enter the bloodstream is through the respiratory tract and this is where some of the dermal absorption research goes wrong. As constantly argued by Watt,. Therefore, of course essential oil molecules will be found in the blood due to inhalation and this does not prove dermal absorption occurs conclusively.

If we do not occlude or cover the site of application, as is generally the case with topical aromatherapy applications, the dose is significantly lessened by evaporation. When the skin was left uncovered, the total amount absorbed dropped to only 4. It seems prudent therefore that all aromatherapists should cover the area just massaged and where blends in carrier media have been applied, with warm towels or blankets.

This would actually be a lovely way of relaxing, covered in warm blankets after or even during an aromatherapy treatment. However, it is an area that still requires further research to understand how a variety of different factors such as the type of essential oil compounds, the recipient or "carrier" base used, temperature, etc.

I have experimented myself with Lavender oil and groups of students over the years by dabbing a drop of neat lavender Lavandula angustifolia on the external cheek and seeing how long it takes before they can taste the lavender oil on their tongue.

Most taste it quickly, some take longer and usually one or two in a class taste nothing at all. This proves some absorption through the skin and also the difference in absorption rates from person to person.

In this study 1. The two components measured were linalool In fact typically the essential and fatty oil mix is applied to a larger area of skin, so it is possible. In another study, dermal absorption of d-limonene via the hand was found to be low compared to inhalation exposure Falk et al. So from the data available, it seems the original texts and books on aromatherapy are right and thank goodness, because otherwise everything we have based our profession on would be useless.

But it is fair to say that more controlled research needs to be done and to ensure inhalation is prevented to actually prove beyond doubt that dermal absorption does occur. I do believe that inhalation of the oils and the effect on the brain is as important in the use of aromatherapy as topical application but will leave this topic for another article!

In reality though, you cannot separate out the parts of an aromatherapy treatment as being more or. Moreover, the real art of aromatherapy lies in its entirety. Battaglia S. International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy.

Bioexcel anon n. Burfield T. It is not advised to ever take essential oils internally unless under the direct advise of a medical doctor who is also a Clinical Aromatherapist. Learn about plant-based options to self-healing, beauty and cleaning without chemicals, preservatives, or additives.

Cruelty Free. No hype, just the facts. Healthy Home Diffusers Room Sprays. How Essential Oils Enter the Body. Aromatherapy Inhalation: There are three paths that essential oils can enter into the body: inhalation through the olfactory system absorption through the surface of the skin taken internally not recommended When essential oils are inhaled, the molecules rise to the top of the nose and meet the olfactory mucous membrane.

This is the oldest area of the brain. It deals with emotional and psychological responses. Dermal Absorption: The skin is relatively permeable to fat soluble substances and relatively impermeable to water soluble substances. Oils are also easily absorbed through cuts, scraps and abrasions, burns, excema etc. Clean skin pores that is free of dirt improves absorption.