Essential oils are well known for both their incredible, alluring aroma, but did you know that they have documented, scientific therapeutic use? There are a few reasons why essential oils work so well for our bodies, minds, and emotions, and it's all because of science! Put on your science cap friend, because we're diving into the simple science of essential oils!THE SCIENCE OF OILS AT A GLANCE
* Oils are small and lipid-like, so they can get into our cells easily
* Essential oils can cross the blood brain barrier (a barrier that keeps out most conventional medications)
* Our emotions are physically linked to our sense of smell in the anatomy of the brain
* Constituents (components of an individual oil) provide therapeutic benefits we can harness
ESSENTIAL OIL BASICS
Essential oils are compounds that are extracted from plants in order to catch the essence of the plant. Essential oils are obtained through steam distillation, cold pressing, or through chemical methods.
Young Living's oils are steam distilled (or cold pressed for citrus oils) from the plants directly after harvest. There are ZERO chemicals used, and the plants are fresh, giving you a concentrated, living version of the plant. Which is amazing and smells incredible and allows us to use them in powerful ways! YL's Seed to Seal commitment ensures that you get authentic, science-backed products that are kind to both you and Mother Earth.
One of the reasons essential oils can be so helpful is that they are hydrophobic by nature, meaning that they mix well with oils. This is important because the cells of our body are surrounded by a lipid or oil bilayer… which the oils can incorporate into and give us wonderful results! This is also key for crossing what is known as the blood-brain barrier, a lipid layer around the brain that keeps out many conventional medications. Because of their shape and makeup, oils can cross this to help us out when needed!
Another important piece of the essential oil puzzle is individual constituents within an oil. Each plant, and therefore each essential oil, is a bit different, though there is a bit of overlap. The oil is composed of smaller compounds that have unique properties, and these are the properties we are utilizing for our health!
COMMON CONSTITUENTS
Constituents of oil contribute to the oil's distinct scent and health benefits. Understanding this can help us harness the full potential of an oil!
TERPENES
Terpenes are the largest and most diverse class of organic compounds found in essential oils.Common terpenes include pinene, limonene, and myrcene, each imparting unique aroma and therapeutic properties.
* Pinene exhibits anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects, making it beneficial for respiratory conditions.
* Limonene is known for its uplifting citrus scent and potential anticancer properties. It is present in all citrus oils and is especially high in Lemon (which is a large part of Lemon's immune supporting properties!)
* Myrcene contributes to the sedative effects of certain essential oils, promoting relaxation and sleep.
SESQUITERPENES
A subset of terpenes, these constituents are key when it comes to supporting focus, mental clarity, and even calming the brain from an over-excited state to a focused or meditative one. Sesquiterpenes contribute to the distinct scent of essential oils, often described as woody, earthy, or spicy, adding depth and complexity to aromatic blends.
* Beta-caryophyllene and chamazulene possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, offering relief from pain and inflammation.
* Cedrene and valencene have been associated with calming and grounding effects, promoting emotional balance and stress relief.
ALCOHOLS
Alcohol constituents in essential oils include geraniol, linalool, and citronellol.
* Geraniol offers antifungal and mosquito-repellent properties, commonly found in Rose and Geranium essential oil.
* Linalool contributes to the calming effects of Lavender and Bergamot oils, making them popular choices for relaxation and soothing anxiety.
* Citronellol (found in Citronella!) provides a fresh, floral aroma and is often used in natural insect repellents.
KETONES
Ketones such as camphor and carvone are present in Eucalyptus and mint essential oils, among others.
* Camphor exhibits analgesic and decongestant properties, commonly used in topical preparations for muscle pain and respiratory congestion. Camphor is in high concentration in Ravintsara, and the blends Raven and PanAway
* Carvone contributes to the distinctive aroma of spearmint and dill oils, with potential digestive and antimicrobial effects.
PHENOLS
Phenolic compounds like eugenol and thymol possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
* Eugenol, abundant in Clove and Cinnamon, demonstrates analgesic and antimicrobial effects, often used in dental care products.
* Thymol, found in Thyme and Oregano, exhibits strong antifungal and antibacterial activity, making it valuable for disinfection and immune support.
EMOTIONS & ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils help our emotions because of the power of aromatherapy and the limbic system.
Our sense of smell is directly related to our emotions and mood. The cranial nerve associated with smell goes from your nose, into your brain, and ends next to the hypothalamus - the area of the brain responsible for mood, feelings and emotional processing.
This is why a scent can trigger a memory or even a feeling. Vanilla reminds you of baking cookies with your best friend. Lavender reminds you of your grandmother. This is why aromatherapy is so effective when it comes to processing emotions and dealing with needs such as anxious thoughts, stress and even low mood.
Essential oils are also great for emotions because they contain constituents that can cross the blood brain barrier to help reprogram bad coding as a result of trauma. Then other compounds rewrite that code to restore the original perfect copy, one that will not keep us pulled into the physical and emotional effects of stress.
This is a process, but the great thing about essential oils is that we have a CHOICE to embrace that process instead of loading our bodies up with toxins, chemicals, and other things that create more confusion in the cells.
There is no shame in using conventional tools available to you to help you through when needed, but remember that they are intended for use while you're also doing the emotional work. This is why adding essential oils, daily affirmations and emotional processing to your daily routine can help you truly rewire the system to create a more peaceful baseline for your emotional health!
HOW do you do this? Grab an oil and isolate what emotion you are feeling. Think about the opposite of that emotion and deeply inhale the oil as you sit quietly. After a time, practice rewiring that pathway with a truth or affirmation. Do this daily as you process through a specific event or emotion.
Here are a few examples from one of our favorite reference books, Releasing Emotional Patterns with Essential Oils (https://amzn.to/3ovPw0a):
* Emotion: Anxiety // Other Side: Confidence // Way Out: “Peace, be still.”
* Emotion: Disappointment // Other Side: Freedom // Way Out: “I trust my vision.”
* Emotion: Grief // Other Side: Happy // Way Out: “Change brings growth.”
* Emotion: Misery // Other Side: Joy // Way Out: “I am free.”
Another great way to process emotions is through movement. This can be walking, yoga, swimming, cycling, etc. just as long as the movement physically moves your body through space.
* Grab your oils and apply or diffuse them as you move, breathing in the oil as you mentally and physically process.
Bottom line? We can harness the individual oil makeups and our natural response to oils to create health routines and tools that can have incredible benefits!
We've all experienced hurt at some point in our lives, and it's a common part of being human. However, the key to healing is forgiveness. By forgiving those who have hurt us, we can start to release the pain they caused.
Take a moment to reflect: is there someone you're holding a grudge against? If so, ask for the strength to forgive, forget, and move on. Remember, God is our Vindicator, and He promises to make things right for every wrong we've endured. Through my own journey, I've learned that holding onto anger only weighs us down. God's Word encourages us not to let the sun set on our anger because doing so can give negativity a stronghold in our lives (Ephesians 4:26-27).
Give yourself the gift of letting go of anger and bitterness. God has wonderful plans for us, and we don’t want to miss out on them by clinging to past hurts. Embrace a fresh start with a peaceful heart and commit to finding joy in each day.
