Essential oils have become a household item for homes everywhere. With two main methods of use, its medical claims have been up in the air.

Essential oils are oil-like compounds extracted from plants. These compounds feature the essence of plants in their scents and flavors, hence the name. After, carrier oil is then bonded for use.

The method of creation defines essential oils as such. Their common methods of creation are through distillation or via mechanical methods such as cold pressing. Chemically processed compounds are not considered authentic.

How it works and the Limbic System

Aromatherapy is a practice that uses these essential oils to promote physical and emotional health & well-being.  The powerful aroma stimulates the limbic system, which is a part of the brain that plays a role in a person’s memory, stress levels, behavior, and emotional responses, through inhalation of the scent. Once the essential oil aroma is inhaled, it is said that it may influence an individual’s mood and behavior.

The essential oil can be used either by applying it directly on the skin, as sprays or by diffusing it.

Different essential oils have different chemical properties, so it is important to be guided on which oil to use for certain situations/conditions.

Scientifically Studied Essential Oils

Many people claim that essential oils are a form of natural medicine, being able to treat different ailments. However, they are known to produce various positive effects in the mood of a person.

• Citrus-scented oils are energizing.
• Floral-scented oils are comforting, used often to help people sleep.
• Herbaceous-scented oils are calming.
• Camphoraceous and Spicy-scented oils are stimulating and helps people focus.
• Minty-scented oils are cooling, and motivating.
• Resinous-scented oils promote relaxation, as well as enhance feelings of intimacy.
• Wood-scented oils are grounding, and are also used as an aphrodisiac.

Additionally, these compounds are known to initiate chemical reactions in the body. Examples of these include:

• The use of balm from lemon oil reduces the agitation in patients with dementia, based on the study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
• Tea tree oil treats mild to moderate acne, based on the study by scientists from the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology.
• In a study by the scientists of the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a combination of thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedar-wood oils coupled with a mixture of jojoba and grapeseed as the carrier oils, massaged into the scalp resulted in notable improvement of alopecia areata (hair loss).
• Citrus oils have antibacterial qualities. Citrus oil mixed with Dead Sea salts acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Meanwhile, bergamot fights the growth of common causes of food poisoning such as e coli, listeria, and staphylococcus.

It pays to be informed.  

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References:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/piriform-cortex
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-are-essential-oils#how-they-work
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work#:~:text=What%20Is%20Aromatherapy%3F,emotional%20center%20of%20the%20brain.
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them/
• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-essential-oils-work-heres-what-science-says/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20there%20is%20no%20evidence,But%20most%20are%20still%20inconclusive.

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