How essential oils work to stimulate mind and body

Aromatherapy is an ancient practice based on essential oils, to embrace the relationship between smell and emotion. Essential oils are natural and they are also as varied and different as people are. This means that there is an oil, and a fragrance for every individual! A simple way to create a general sense of improved mind and body health is to intentionally use pure, plant-based essential oils, such as those from OilGrow.

I think everyone would agree that any natural substance that enters the body is considered a friend by the immune system. Any foreign substances poses a problem to that same mind and body system and will be rejected or attacked. The fact that the essential oils are natural, means that your body will accept and correctly utilize the oils. Your body is not confused about how it should react. The oils now connects with a myriad of receptors throughout the mind and body, to trigger various reactions. These range from feeling more energetic and positive, to promoting relaxation for a better night’s sleep, and from easing spasms to promoting digestion, the list is endless.

Ways to use essential oils for mind and body

The best and fastest way for essential oils to enter your body is by inhaling them. The volatile molecules access the blood stream through the delicate veins in the nose. Essential oils taken through inhalation, almost completely absorbs in the nose and lungs. The rest is absorbed through the skin when using the hands-over-mouth-method. This way, a small quantity of oil is enough to have the desired effect in only minutes. Essential oils are also able to cross the blood-brain barrier for an uplifting effect within seconds.

Molecules entering via breathing in, become available in the blood stream quite fast to go where they are needed, since they do not have to be metabolized in the stomach first. This is a great reason to not get too stuck on ingesting an oil. Although it is a good help along with inhalation. An interesting fact is that many of the biologically active molecules in essential oils are destroyed in the stomach during digestion. Only small amounts of these molecules are able to enter the blood stream to have their beneficial effect.

The second to best way to use essential oils are via the skin. Your skin has a natural oily layer. This allows essential oils to dissolve in the skin’s oil to be absorbed into the blood stream within about 30 minutes from application. Massages has the added benefit of causing increased blood circulation, quickening the absorption rate while also bringing about relaxation. This is a great way they influence the mind and body health.

Another wonderful attribute: all essential oils consist of molecules tiny enough to enter microbial cell membranes to disrupt bacterial and viral function. Thus, killing the bacteria or virus within your cells. This miraculous working is why all essential oils are antimicrobial (antibacterial, anti-fungal and/or antiviral). Some oils’ molecules may prove to be strong antioxidants allowing them to be anti-inflammatory as well, since these two functions work together to promote wound-healing and relieve pain. Many are also anti-ageing. The small essential oil molecules are even able to alleviate hormone imbalance and improve libido!

The golden rule when using essential oils for mind and body

The golden rule with these oils though, is that LESS IS MORE. Essential oils are very concentrated plant essences which may cause irritation, allergies and headaches if used incorrectly or in excessive amounts. Always remember to dilute the oils at least 1:10 in a carrier oil or cream before application to the skin, or add only 3-10 drops in your diffuser or steam bath to liven up a whole room. Start with 3 drops and increase slowly to obtain the desired strength in aroma. Do yourself the favour of trying various oils to trigger your senses before you decide which one works best for you. Come and enjoy the journey with us!