The olfactory sense is very delicate and immediate in comparison to other senses. Due to our sensitivity to smell, we resonate with the aroma emitted from essential oils. The fragrance is remarkable and impacts our physiological, emotional, and mental faculties. With such a potent effect – therapeutic and aromatic – essential oils stimulate the body and mind.
What’s the science behind these fragrances? How do essential oils work on the body and mind? Let’s consider those in stages.
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How Do Essential Oils Work on The Body?
Plants and herbs are known traditional remedies and are popular for their medicinal properties. No wonder they’ve been used for ages as ‘natural healers’.
Not only do essential oils contain anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties, but they’re known for protecting the body against diseases and other organisms concealed to the naked eye. Essential oils work on the body in subsequent ways:
Alleviate Pain and Lessen Inflammation
If you’ve ever used an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, an essential oil such as eucalyptus, bergamot, or clove would have been an ideal replacement. These oils contain moderate anesthetic components used to assuage pain or discomfort in concentrated areas. They are great for headaches and migraines.
Has A Cleansing Effect on the Body
As the human body is active on the daily, factors such as stress, tension, insomnia, and a diet poor in nutrients can deal an adverse blow to one’s system. This affects the natural function of organs playing a major role in getting rid of waste within the body (organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skins etc.)
As a detoxifying agent, essential oils can cleanse the body and help to maintain a perky and functional excretory system. Essential oils such as grapefruit, fennel, cypress, and rosemary, when used, improves the flow of urine in the body and makes it easier to get rid of excess water. This diuretic effect promotes healthy and functional kidneys.
When the oils are combined, they can be used to massage the body and aid in regulating a healthy flow of blood and fluids throughout.
Work As a Disinfecting Agent
Essential oils are illustrious for their cleansing or antibacterial properties and have been used as an effective combatant against fungi, bacteria, and viruses causing infections.
Best known for its antiseptic properties, tea tree is widely known for its usefulness in treating athlete’s foot. Research highlighted the intensity and beauty of tea tree when it demonstrated that wounds inflicted with the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium recovered tremendously quicker than conventional treatments.
Other powerful antiseptic essential oils include peppermint, clove, eugenol, and thyme. Inhaling these essential oils are just as effective as applying them to the skin.
When used for inhalation therapy, the oils are known for treating symptoms of acute sinusitis and bronchitis.
As diseases and infections continue to soar, essential oils are deemed practical alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
Supercharge The Immune System
Some essential oils boost the immune system by strengthening its response to diseases. Essential oils such as eucalyptus and niaouli promote a process known as phagocytosis. This process ensures that white blood cells, such as phagocytes and others are produced to fight against diseases. These blood cells when formed, would ‘trap’ and destroy viruses and bacteria. Other essential oils such as sage, lavender, and bay laurel promote the effectiveness of white blood cells within the body.
Regulate Hormones in The Body
The endocrine system is tasked with releasing hormones to modulate processes within the body. When essential oils are used, they, in a sense, provide hormonal balance. A typical case in point: Rose essential oil, when used, decreases the level of adrenaline present in the body. Some essential oils such as Lavandin are used to modulate hormones during various stages of a woman’s reproductive life.
How Do Essential Oils Work on The Mind?
Essential oils are reputed for encouraging one’s cognitive faculties. Not only do they heighten one’s focus, but they provide a soothing effect by encouraging relaxation. Essential oils for therapeutic use help to relieve stress and tension. The effects essential oils have on the mind are astounding and include:
Improved Concentration and Focus
Inhaling specific essential oils rejuvenate and clear the mind. A case in point: Results have shown that rosemary, when inspired, enhances memory by a staggering 75 percent. This is because of the eucalyptol compound within the oil that excites neurotransmitters known as acetylcholine. Acetylcholine modulates activities within the brain.
Encourage Relaxation
Essential oils are reputed for their relaxing results. The process in which they promote relaxation is excruciatingly
painful and difficult to comprehend. However, they do have a soothing effect on several aspects of the brain.
3. Enhance One’s Mood and Well-Being
Based on studies conducted, the compound linalool in lavender essential oil, along with clary sage, decreases anxiety levels. Citrus oils are also effective in lifting depression because of the substance limonene. Overall, essential oils do have the capacity to lift one’s spirit, filling them with life. With the therapeutic power of essential oils, a simple essential oil such as tangerine and vanilla can motivate the mind, change one’s mood, and reduce tension.
Provide Balance to One’s Energy
Through the process of homeostasis, adaptogens (oils that stimulate and relax) balance body systems. They assist the body when dealing with ‘stress’ factors by energizing adrenal glands, which are exhaustive because of stress. Essential oils such as rose, lavender, and geranium are known as adaptogens.
Essential oils have a profound effect on the body and mind. They’re amazing! It’s difficult to comprehend how essential oils work on the body and mind, but when put to the test, they come out victorious. What essentials oils have you been using and how do they benefit your body and mind?
