Pure Essential Oils are extracted from plants. They are the volatile component and have varying constituents which results in different physiological effects in the body. These essential oils when used for massage or topical application enter the body and can be found in the bloodstream. They can be absorbed via the skin as well as inhaled via the lungs and olfactory system.

Can a substance really enter the bloodstream by these mechanisms? Yes. Think of people who are addicted to sniffing illegal or harmful substances to get high. Orthodox medicine uses the skin as means of absorbing drugs with nicotine patches. What we breathe in and put on our skin can end up in our blood stream and affect our health. One reason why it is so important to throw away synthetic fragrances and start making pure choices.

The Power of Smell

There are millions of olfactory receptors in the epithelium of the nose. When an odour comes into contact with cilia which is part of the olfactory receptors, an olfactory response is initiated. You smell a scent. When you can no longer smell the odour it is the result of mucus secretions which inhibit continued stimulation of cilia by the same odour. When an odur is irritating as can occur with pepper, the nose and eys may water due to stimulation of nasal and lacrimal receptors also.

A human being has a poorly developed sense of smell when compared with dogs. Smell though can cause strong emotional reactions as it is processed by the limbic system of the human brain. Scents can trigger memories, impact on our moods and even make us feel nauseous. A sensory connection made to a particular smell can invoke an emotional reaction due to memory association. This is known as a "learned odor response" and can cause a strong reaction. Someone allergic to seafood that reacts with vomiting may start wretching at the smell of fish. A familiar smell of home could make a traveller feel homesick or the scent of Eucalyptus makes someone feel calm as their mother rubbed this oil on their chest before bed when they were a young child. The body responds to scents as it had previously, because these responses are affected by brain chemistry.

The Power of Skin

The skin performs many functions and varies in thickness in different areas of the body. Some areas have sweat glands, hair follicles and others do not. Skin is an excretion organ as well as having absorptive properties. It helps to maintain homeostasis by regulating body temperature and plays a role in the synthesis of Vitamin D. There are so many reasons why we should take care of our skin and the best way to start is to stop using products that unbalance the natural skin microflora and provide an easy transport route to the bloodstream for harmful chemicals or toxins.

Essential oils are easily absorbed through the skin, hair follicles and sweat glands, then enter the bloodstream. Applying essential oils directly to the skin and then covering the area with a dressing or wrap as Day Spas do, will make absorption greater and reduce evaporation. Some essential oils can actually increase the absorption rate of other ingredients in a preparation due to their constituents. Sesquiterpenes found in some essential oils have been shown to increase the skin's permeability.

During massage the skin generates heat due to the rubbing action and an increase in circulating blood. Blood vessels dilate as a consequence and oils are absorbed more readily. Having a bath and warming the skin before topical application of oils will also improve the absorption rate and time. Skin which is finer, such as on the face, or that of older or very young individuals will also have better permeation. Most oils should be avoided on broken skin. It has also been found the greater the area of skin coming into contact with essential oils, the higher the rate of absorption.