Today I am posting a rather technical piece of information to explain why it is so widely recommended that people use diffusers for essential oils in their homes.
A few sides of the matter
Ø If you use essential oils for something like a wound - e.g. tea tree or niaouli on a mosquito bite or cut, you must of course apply it to the skin.
Ø If you go for a massage for the sake of relaxation or sore muscles, the oils are mixed with a carrier oil to apply them. The touch of the therapist, and the knowledge she has of muscle conditions is a big plus.
Ø If you want to focus on treating emotional conditions underlying a physical condition, inhalation is best.
Why?
Ø When essential oils are inhaled, the following can happen:
Ø the molecules move via the entire pulmonary system (from the trachea to the alveoli) and then to the bloodstream
Ø the molecules can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the nose
Ø the molecules bind to the olfactory hairs (cilia) and initiate an olfactory (smell) response
Ø The essential oils have a lipophilic nature (tends to be fat-soluble) and can therefore penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
Ø This property causes there to be an easy exchange of essential oil components to the lipid-rich nervous system.
Ø This system allows the oils to travel to the autonomic nervous system, which contains the centers for learning, memory and hormones.
Ø When an oil blend such as cypress, pine and patchouli is recommended for stress, it reaches the limbic brain where fight, flight and freeze are controlled.
Ø In this way, deep inhalation of such a mixture can make you feel calmer within minutes.
From the known to the unknown
Many of us have slept in a guest house where the soap, shampoo and air freshener all smell of lavender. We know that lavender calms and promotes sleep.
Following this, we can go a little further and use the unique smell of cypress and pine to stabilize, the smell of orange and orange blossom to relieve depression, and the smell of jasmine to drive away fear.
Here is a stabilizing blend for severe stress:
3 drops of cypress
3 drops of pine
2 drops of patchouli
Mix 10 ml of apricot kernel oil in a roller bottle and apply everywhere where the veins run close to the skin (behind the knees, on the wrists etc.)
Or use the mixture in your diffuser and let the calm descend on you!
We could also blend this for you at Mirre & Kaneel.
Warm greetings
Carina Falck
Contact: Carina Falck 060 526 1422
Disclaimer
The use of essential oils must be done responsibly and does not replace any medical treatment. It is used at your own risk.
Source:
Battaglia, S.
The complete guide to aromatherapy, 2nd edition.
The International Center of Holistic Aromatherapy, Brisbane, Australia, 2003
P85-93.
Mirre & Kaneel Essential Oil Shop
Visit us for a wide selection of essential oils and recommendations on which oils to use.
We are also a supplier of Aloe Ferox skin care products and supplements.
Mirre & Kaneel
14 Harbour Rd
Kleinmond
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