Aromatic, Topical & Internal Use of Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in three different ways, aromatically, topically and internally. Which method you choose depends on what you are trying to achieve and which oil you are using. Some oils are particularly effective when inhaled, others best applied to the skin, some neat and some diluted. There are oils you should take internally to support your immune system, for example, and others which are not suitable for internal use like Wintergreen and Deep Blue blend, which have safety caps on.

Aromatic Use-inhaling essential oils is one of the most effective ways to enjoy their benefits. When the aromatic volatile compounds of an essential oil enter your nose they trigger responses in the limbic system (part of your brain) which regulates your hormones, and nervous system, transmitting signals throughout the whole of your body. Additionally, when you breathe in the aroma of an essential oil, some of the oil’s molecules are absorbed by the respiratory tract and lungs and circulated into the bloodstream. This means that an essential oil can have a powerful effect on your body on both a physical and as well as an emotional level.

Topical Use-essential oils are lightweight and lipophilic (dissolvable in fats) so they can absorb into your skin through hair shafts and pores and are then also distributed through the body by way of the bloodstream. Because of this, you can experience benefits from targeted topical use of an essential oil to a specific area, to promote healthier-looking skin or ease muscle stiffness for example, as well as effective whole-body support.

Internal Use- research has shown that internal use of essential oils offers unique benefits that other methods do not, which include promoting healthy cell function, antioxidant support, assisting gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory health and calming the nervous system. Not all essential oils are ingestible and, as with anything we consume, dosage guidelines should be followed. When an essential oil is ingested it is transported through the gastrointestinal tract, absorbed in the small intestine, metabolised in the liver and a portion of those essential oil molecules is released into the bloodstream. Because they are lipid-soluble and have a low molecular weight, essential oils can be transported to various cells and organs, even the brain, where they can get to work.