Topical Vs. Inhalation

Topical Application Vs. Inhalation: How best to administer the benefits of Essential Oils?

First things first- I would never recommend ingestion of Essential Oils, nor their application without adequate dilution and (where necessary) blending.

Topical application, or direct use on the body, is a hugely effective method of gaining benefit. Essential oils have a very low molecular weight and are lipid (fat) soluble- easily penetrating the skin to distribute their benefits systemically. Scientists have discovered, that Essential Oils are so readily absorbed by our bodies, that 15 mintues post application to the feet - Essential Oil Molecules are traceable within our breath. (I.e: systemic, no longer localised to application area) What does this mean? We can tackle widespread inflammation, pain and discomfort without invasive treatment and incredibly effectively.

Inhalation, or smelling/breathing in, the scents of Essential Oils seems more far fetched. However, plants exhibit consciousness - using pheremones in scents to attract pollenators, repel vermin and warn other 'plant neighbours' of an insect onslaught. When a person inhales an Essential Oil, the scent is carried by olfactory nerve cells to the limbic system within the brain. Do you ever smell a certain perfume a relative wore and this conjures powerful emotions? Thats's the limbic system in action! Our sense of smell and its direct link to our brain, makes this our super sense - roughly 10,000X stonger than our others. This direct brain link, allows aromatic compounds to freely circulate our bloodstream to distribute their benefits.

Did your parent ever put lavender on your pillow to help you sleep? There's far more to these 'old wives tales', fortunately we now have the Science to unlock the answers!