Essential oils enter the body primarily in three ways— topically (applied to the skin), inhaled, or ingested. The application method chosen depends on the desired effect and the essential oil selected. For example, some essential oils are irritating to the skin because of their chemistry. These would need more dilution or might better be used by inhalation.
In this article, I would like to put some light on the inhalation method.
When you inhale essential oils, the molecules reach thousands of receptors in the olfactory membrane in your nose and follow the chemosensory pathway to reach, almost immediately, the limbic system of the brain. This is the oldest part of the brain in evolutionary terms and is often called the “emotional” brain.
“Essential oil constituents absorbed via inhalation may enter the bloodstream and reach the central nervous system with relative ease.” (Tisserand, R. Essential Oil Safety)
Because of this direct olfactory pathway to specific areas of the brain, inhaling essential oils can work very quickly and much more efficiently than oral remedies. From when you first inhale the oil to the corresponding brain trigger and gland secretion is less than a few seconds.
Here are some of the most common and popular ways to inhale essential oils and enjoy the therapeutical properties of beautiful scents:
Diffuse- There are a lot of different types of diffusers you can find on the market today, some of them with water and some without (be sure to read the directions). Some of them are great for a large space and some- for small bedrooms. I would recommend consulting your aromatherapist before you making a purchase to help you decide what kind of diffuser would fit your needs the best! Diffuser evaporation is a great and popular way to add the scent of essential oils to a room. But, keep in mind: essential oils should never be directly burned as the chemical structure is dramatically changed with incineration (Buckle, 2003).
Try our diffuser blends collection: https://www.scentifique.ca/aromatherapy
Aromatic inhalers- when you are in a scent-free environment like office or school, you still can enjoy the power of essential oils. You can do it with personal inhalers. Place the personal inhaler just below your nostril (Do not insert it into the nostril) Slowly inhale to a count of 5 and then slowly exhale. Repeat with the other nostril. You can repeat the procedure 2-3 times every few hours.
Try our personal inhalers collection: https://www.scentifique.ca/aromatherapy
Diffuser accessories- enjoy aromatherapy on the go by putting a few drops of you preferred essential oil/blend on to a pad on your accessory.
Discover our accessories collection: https://www.scentifique.ca/accessories
Dry evaporation- Several drops of essential oil are placed on a cotton ball/tissue/lava stone and allowed to evaporate into the air.
Steam- Drops of essential oil are added to a bowl of steaming water, which quickly vaporizes the oil. Place a towel over your head and over the bowl of water with essential oil drops and breathe deeply. This method is very direct and potent—the use of more than 1-2 drops may be overwhelming. It is important to keep the eyes closed when using this method. (This method is not recommended for children)
Spray- Drops of essential oils are placed in a water-based solution, shaken, and sprayed into the air in order to deodorize a room or set a mood. It is important to shake the bottle before spraying in order to spray the solution and not just water.
Inhale directly from the bottle- the simplest but effective way to inhale essential oils, just directly from the bottle. Take a deep breath and then slowly exhale.
Regardless of which method you will use, for diffusing and inhalation, remember always to choose only high quality undiluted essential oils or essential oil blends!
Only pure essential oils have therapeutic properties and can benefit your overall well-being!
Always buy your oils from a trusted source and remember: real essential oil cannot be cheap but every drop goes a long way!
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