Essential oils smell great, but there are many more reasons to inhale essential oils than just pleasing your olfactory system. The olfactory center of the brain is right next to the limbic system (emotion center). This connection makes inhalation an excellent tool for emotional support and stress relief. Plus inhaled substances pass into the lungs where a gaseous exchange allows them to enter the blood stream and reach the central nervous system. This exchange makes inhalation a quick and effective way to use essential oils to promote a healthy and balanced body system.
5 Ways to Use Essential Oils through Inhalation
Open the bottle and take a gentle sniff. A gentle waft of scent is all you need to trigger a response.- Put a drop of oil on your hands, rub them together and cup your hands over your nose and breathe in the scent. This is a more intense approach where the effects of the oils are strong and immediate.
- Steam inhalation. Place 3-7 drops of an essential oil into a bowl filled with boiling water. Place your head approximately 6-8 inches above the bowl and cover your head with a towel. Then breathe deeply through the nose for up to two minutes.
- Passively diffuse them. Put a drop or two on a cotton ball, tissue, or terracotta object. As movement occurs around the essential oil it will waft into the air.
- Use a diffuser. There are so many types of diffusers, but the basic principle behind them is all the same. They spread the essential oils over a wide area. One of the most common types of diffuser is an ultrasonic or humidifying diffuser. This type of diffuser diffuser uses electronic frequencies to cause a small disk that is under water to vibrate very quickly. These ultrasonic vibrations break the essential oil into tiny micro-particles, dispersing the oil in a fine mist.
Here are some of my favorite oils to inhale and how I use them:
- Lavender– This oil calms, soothes, and helps with sleep. Rub a few drops on your hand and spread over your pillow for a more restful slumber.
- Frankincense– An ancient oil that promotes inner strength and increases spirituality. Place a few drops in a diffuser and use during a meditation.
- Peace and Calming Blend–This popular blend with a light tangerine scent is both calming and uplifting. Open your bottle and take a gentle sniff when you are feeling stressed out, anxious, or even just a little blue.
- Eucalyptus- This oil is antiviral, antibacterial and a decongestant making it perfect for steam inhalation when you have a cough or cold.
Feeling stressed, try this: Choose a favorite oil. Every time you do a relaxing activity such as meditation or petting the dog, diffuse the oil. If you do this repeatedly, that scent will be associated with that activity and its calm atmosphere. Then when you find yourself in a stressful situation, smell the oil and you will be instantly transported to that state of mind.
If you would like more information about essential oils, please email me! Or feel free to leave your question in the comments below.
