Essential oil benefits can range from relieving stress and minor aches and pains to enhancing immune system function. Whether in their pure, single-note form or skillfully blended, they can help rebalance emotions and mood, promote sleep and even aid weight loss.
Inside many plants, in a plant’s roots, seeds, flowers or bark, are concentrated, highly potent chemical compounds called essential oils. These oils give a plant its fragrance, protect it from hazardous environmental conditions and help with pollination and other vital functions. The oils can then be extracted from the plant and distilled to create pure, unadulterated oils that are used for their healthful effects.
The oils can be inhaled or applied to the skin, typically diluted with what is called a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil. Some people also use them to flavor food. Unlike medications, which must be approved by the FDA, essential oils aren’t regulated, so the quality of each product varies. Look for reputable companies that use ethical, sustainable growing and harvesting methods.
When a person inhales the scent of an oil, molecules are absorbed through the olfactory nerve and travel to the limbic system of the brain, which regulates mood, memory and emotion. Some essential oils are sedative and some have antispasmodic properties, which relax and loosen tight muscles. They can also stimulate the respiratory tract and have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. For instance, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that peppermint oil can relieve spasmodic colon symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Using essential oils topically can cause a variety of reactions, depending on an individual’s sensitiveness and skin type. Undiluted essential oils can burn or irritate the skin, so they should always be used with a carrier oil and never directly applied to the skin. Inhalation of undiluted oils can irritate the sinuses and lungs, so the nose and throat should be cleared before inhaling them. People with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD should exercise caution.
A rash, itchy skin or other allergic reaction can occur when an oil is applied directly to the body, especially on broken or damaged skin. A patch test is recommended before using any new oil, which involves applying a few drops of the oil to an innocuous area of the body, such as the inner forearm. Cover it with a bandage for up to 24 hours and check for any irritation.
Ingestion of undiluted essential oils can be poisonous, according to the Western Australian Poisons Information Centre. The toxins are rapidly absorbed and can have an immediate or delayed toxic effect. If the oil is ingested, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms usually appear 30 minutes after ingestion, but they can be delayed as long as four hours. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency care or call the poison control center. Children are more susceptible to the toxic effects of essential oils than adults and should only use products that are bottled in child-resistant bottles, and should never be placed in their mouths.
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