How do essential oils impact our mood and our body?

Let's be honest. Using essential oils has become trendy in recent years. It may almost feel like a bit of a fad that companies are using to sell us more products. But the truth is that essential oils have been used for centuries for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Essential oils affect emotions, mood and even physical wellness.

But What Exactly is an Essential Oil?

Essential oils are natural compounds that are extracted from plants. They contain the essence of the plant, and as stated, can be used to improve emotional health, physical health, and even cognitive function. Each essential oil may have different effects on the body - for example, frankincense essential oil is known for its relaxing properties, while grapefruit oil is known to be energizing. In this article, we will explore how essential oils affect emotions and how they may be used to improve our mood and our body!

Essential Oils and Emotions

The limbic system is the part of the brain that controls our emotions. Essential oils can directly impact this area of the brain, therefore our emotions. Here are the most popular essential oils and how they can impact your emotional health:

• Lavender essential oil has been shown to decrease anxiety and improve sleep quality.
• Peppermint essential oil, on the other hand, has been shown to improve energy levels and cognitive function.
• Frankincense essential oil is a wonderfully grounding oil that promotes feelings of relaxation and tranquility
• Eucalyptus essential oil is a stimulant for the respiratory system that also has a balancing effect on the body
• Orange essential oil is a tonic to the nervous system and has uplifting, invigorating qualities.

How do Essential Oils Work?

When we smell an essential oil, it travels through the nose and into the limbic system. This triggers a response in the body that can help to improve our mood or heal the body. For example, when we smell lavender essential oil, it can help to relax us and reduce stress levels. Similarly, when we smell peppermint essential oil, it can help to improve our energy levels and focus.

How Do you use Essential Oils?

Essential oils can be used in a number of ways to improve our mood and our body. One common method is to use an essential oil diffuser. Another way is to add them to personal care items such as body wash or shower gel. This allows the essential oils to be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, where they can then travel to the limbic system and impact our emotions. Another way to use essential oils is to inhale them directly from the bottle or diffuser. This allows the essential oils to travel directly from the nose into the limbic system, for immediate results.

Of course, not all personal care products are created equally. So it's important to choose products with high-quality ingredients and essential oil blends that are purposefully mixed to support specific outcomes.