How Essential Oils Work

Introduction
Sure, essential oils work. If you have sore muscles, you will probably reach for Vetiver or maybe Anise essential oil. But why and how do they work?

The Basic Science Explanation
This is the most common explanation. The healing process starts by something called olfaction. Essential oils have strong aromas, and when those aromas reach the olfaction triggers, called olfactory receptors, those receptors wake up and begin sending signals to the brain, explaining what the aroma smells like. Part of the brain, called the limbic system, is dedicated to emotions. As you have probably experienced, emotions affect many other parts of the body, which is why a new, thrilling experience will get your heart racing and may make you feel more energetic.

In any case, the limbic system is linked to different parts of the body, such as memory, blood circulation, the different glands that control the body's hormones (more specifically, the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands), blood circulation, breathing, general behavioral states, and more. This means that when the limbic system is stimulated, a number of different things can happen. For instance, a certain oil might stimulate the desire for sex, or may increase the appetite, all through an oil's smell.

An essential oil's effect is not limited only to its aroma. If an essential oil is used (usually with carrier oils) in massage therapy, it has the ability to slowly absorb through the pores in the skin and into the bloodstream. This absorption process only takes about one minute to start, but the absorption can keep going for up to twelve hours! Once the oil has passed into the bloodstream, it begins to circulate with the rest of the blood, and thus reaches all parts of the body. At this point, the oil can stimulate different organs and systems to produce varieties of effects. The strength of the effects can vary, so one should always remember to do as much research as possible on each oil before use.