It is all in the smell, kind of. . .
Aromatic application of essential oils involves inhaling either a fine mist or vapor of the volatile aromatic compounds that have evaporated from the oil. You don't need any fancy equipment to use an essential oil aromatically, you just need to open the bottle and smell!
Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is founded on the body's predictable response to specific olfactory stimuli.
Why is this?
When an odor molecule is inhaled int o the nasal cavity, it is first sensed by the olfactory cells that are part of the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory epithelium is comprised fo two small patches of olfactory nerves that lie on the roof of the nasal cavity. The olfactory cells that lie within the olfactory epithelium are specialized nerve cells that extend cilia from their dendrites into the nasal cavity. Each of these cilia have receptors that bind to a specific type of odor molecule. When an odor molecule binds to a receptor on the cilia of an olfactory cell, the olfactory cell passes the signal through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb, in turn sends those impulses along the lateral olfactory tract to five different structures in the brain, including the amygdala (which is responsible for storing and releasing emotional trauma), the anterior olfactory nucleus (which helps process smells), the olfactory tubercle, the piriform cortex (which passes the signal on to other structures to create a conscious perception of the odor), and the entorhinal cortex (which processes stimuli before sending them to the hippocampus, the long-term memory center of the brain).
Anatomically, the olfactory is connected to the limbic system of the brain. the limbic system includes structres such as the hippocampus (long-term memory), the amygdala (emotions), the hypothalamus (autonomic nervous system and hormones), and the cingulate gyrus (regulates blood pressure, heart rate, and attention). It is due to the fact that the olfactory system is so closely connected to the limbic system that essential oils have such profound physiological and psychological effects.
(From Modern Essential, Volume 5)
Because of this, essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy applications. Certain essential oils, when diffused in the air, can be very stimulating, while others can be calming and soothing. Beyond emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens. Low or no-heat essential oil diffusers are recommended as they do not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Essential oils can also be used as cleansing and purifying additives to laundry and surface cleaners throughout the home.
So, to sum this up in simple terms: When you walk by a bakery and smell cinnamon rolls doesn't your mouth water and tummy rumble? When you smell a Christmas Tree does it make you happy? When you smell something horrible don't you have a physical response? That is the result of this physiological chain of events.
On top of all of that, we learned at the doTerra convention this year that they had been doing some research that pointed to the aromatic compounds being inhaled immediately entering the blood stream. That is great news!
We live in a society that is well aware of the effects if smell.
If we weren't would William-Sonoma smell so yummy?
Would the perfume industry be making billions of dollars each year?
Would the boys locker room smell like Axe spray all the time?
The amazing part is that your body tends to like the smells of the compounds it needs. This means that if you like the smell of an oil, you probably need it.
My favorite smell?
Actually, I have two.
Basil
and Balance.
-danielle
