EOs and the bloodstream

[Hærfest Leah]

How do essential oils work when entering the blood stream. Can't you use lavender for example for stress reduction on your pulse points since the veins there are right at the surface? Does the body build up a tolerance over time to oils like it does medications?

I'm going to go dig out my book and try to look this up but I'd like to know what you all know on the subject also.

[SoulHealer]

How do essential oils work when entering the blood stream. Can't you use lavender for example for stress reduction on your pulse points since the veins there are right at the surface? Does the body build up a tolerance over time to oils like it does medications?

I'm going to go dig out my book and try to look this up but I'd like to know what you all know on the subject also.

Difficult question as although aromatherapist general accept they enter the blood stream there is little scientific evidence (most evidence show either no absorption or miniscule amounts). If it does enter the blood stream then it is by going through the pores, into the blood capillarries and into the body's tissues.

Massage more than likely works through therapeutic touch and inhalation (but again there is little evidence to suggest EO enter the blood stream in any amount) or simple the fact that it hits the spot of the problem (i.e if treating a bruise you put the oil direct onto the bruise)

The most successful in scientfic terms is inhalation via the olfactory system. The olfactory system is a complex web of mucous membranes, cilia, nerve cells, nerve fibers, and other parts of the central nervous system

EO are quuickly excreted from the body so do not build up like drugs can -so gaining an immunity from them is less likely

[VelvetBlade]

Difficult question as although aromatherapist general accept they enter the blood stream there is little scientific evidence (most evidence show either no absorption or miniscule amounts). If it does enter the blood stream then it is by going through the pores, into the blood capillarries and into the body's tissues.

Massage more than likely works through therapeutic touch and inhalation (but again there is little evidence to suggest EO enter the blood stream in any amount) or simple the fact that it hits the spot of the problem (i.e if treating a bruise you put the oil direct onto the bruise)

The most successful in scientfic terms is inhalation via the olfactory system. The olfactory system is a complex web of mucous membranes, cilia, nerve cells, nerve fibers, and other parts of the central nervous system

EO are quuickly excreted from the body so do not build up like drugs can -so gaining an immunity from them is less likely

I have to disagree with you. ANYTHING that you put onto your skin enters your bloodstream. That means cleaners, EO's, medication..anything. That's what happens with medication patches and pastes (like bc patches and nitro pastes). They are placed on the skin and the medication enters the body through the pores. The reason some people prefer EO's to FO's is for that very reason. You are absorbing the plants essences through your skin, and not just a fragrance.

~VB

[SoulHealer]

I have to disagree with you. ANYTHING that you put onto your skin enters your bloodstream. That means cleaners, EO's, medication..anything. That's what happens with medication patches and pastes (like bc patches and nitro pastes). They are placed on the skin and the medication enters the body through the pores. The reason some people prefer EO's to FO's is for that very reason. You are absorbing the plants essences through your skin, and not just a fragrance.

~VB


I said it was generally accepted by aromatherapist but not scientists. I didn't give a personal view

[Hærfest Leah]

Thanks for the replies, I know this is interesting. I looked in my book "Illustrated Encyclopedia to Essential Oils" and it didn't mention this specific thing or I overlooked it.

[SoulHealer]

I have never seen much about it in books -I only started to really learn it as part of my degree course. Does seem to be an area that isn't talked about much