What are
What are
Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
Aromatherapy & Essential Oils
Pure essential oils are volatile, aromatic compounds extracted from various parts of plants, such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots, and seeds. These oils capture the natural essence of the plant, and they are known for their distinct scents as well as their therapeutic properties. Depending on the plant source, essential oils can have a wide range of effects on the body, mind, and emotions.
Pure essential oils are volatile, aromatic compounds extracted from various parts of plants, such as flowers, leaves, bark, roots, and seeds. These oils capture the natural essence of the plant, and they are known for their distinct scents as well as their therapeutic properties. Depending on the plant source, essential oils can have a wide range of effects on the body, mind, and emotions.
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing practice that involves the use of essential oils, which are concentrated plant extracts, to promote the following benefits:
Physical health
Aromatherapy has been found to support immune function, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms of various conditions such as headaches, digestive issues, and skin problems.
Emotional well-being
It is often used to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, and to promote relaxation and a sense of calm.
Mental Clarity
Some oils help to enhance focus, concentration, and mental alertness, making aromatherapy useful for improving cognitive performance.
Essential Oil Purity: CPTG® Quality Testing
When you choose doTERRA, you are choosing essential oils gently and carefully distilled from plants, harvested at the perfect moment by experienced growers around the world, for the ideal extract composition and efficacy. Each doTERRA essential oil is carefully and thoroughly tested using the strict CPTG® Certified Pure Tested Grade™ quality protocol. Experienced essential oil users will immediately recognize the superior quality standard of doTERRA essential oils.
The CPTG testing process happens at three stages. First, doTERRA carefully reviews the chemical composition of each essential oil shortly after distillation. Then, the doTERRA production facility carries out a second round of testing to ensure that the essential oils distilled and tested during the first round are the same ones that arrived at our facility. Finally, a third review of the essential oil chemistry is conducted as the essential oils are packaged into bottles before they are shipped out to consumers.
The CPTG quality testing process includes four main stages, consisting of 8 different methods of testing, to guarantee that every batch of doTERRA essential oil is free of impurities and unadulterated. The four stages of testing include essential oil chemistry, physical, contamination, and ongoing stability.
Throughout these four stages, here are the eight tests doTERRA uses to ensure essential oil purity:
Gas chromatography
Mass spectrometry
Chirality testing
Isotopic analysis
Organoleptic testing
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
Heavy metal testing
Microbial testing
How to use essential oils
Aromatherapy relies on the therapeutic properties of essential oils, which can be inhaled, applied to the skin, taken internally, or used in various forms (such as diffusers, baths, or massage) to produce beneficial effects on the body and mind.
1. Inhalation
When essential oils are inhaled directly or through a diffuser, their aromatic molecules are absorbed through the olfactory system (sense of smell). This directly impacts the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotions, memory, and behavior. This method is especially effective for emotional and mental support, such as stress reduction, mood enhancement, and relaxation.
Some benefits of inhalation:
- Stress Reduction: Lavender, chamomile, and bergamot essential oils can help reduce anxiety and calm the mind.
- Mood Enhancement: Citrus oils (such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit) are uplifting and energizing.
- Respiratory Support: Eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oils help clear nasal passages, reduce sinus congestion, and improve airflow.
2. Topical Application
When essential oils are applied to the skin, they are absorbed through the epidermis into the bloodstream, allowing their therapeutic compounds to act locally and systemically. Since essential oils are highly concentrated, they should always be diluted with a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba, or almond oil) before applying to the skin to prevent irritation.
Some benefits of topical application:
- Pain Relief: Essential oils like peppermint, ginger, and rosemary are commonly used for their analgesic properties to relieve sore muscles, joint pain, and headaches.
- Skin Health: Lavender, tea tree, and frankincense oils support skin healing, reduce inflammation, and treat conditions like acne, eczema, and dry skin.
- Relaxation and Muscle Tension Relief: Essential oils such as chamomile, lavender, and sandalwood are soothing for the skin and help relieve emotional and physical stress.
3. Internal Use
Some pure essential oils are safe for internal use and can provide direct therapeutic benefits to the digestive, immune and other body systems. However, internal use of essential oils should always be done with caution and ideally under the supervision of a healthcare professional, as they are potent substances.
Some benefits of internal use:
- Digestive Support: Peppermint, ginger, and fennel oils are known to soothe the digestive tract, reduce bloating, and relieve nausea.
- Immune Boost: Oils like lemon, oregano, and tea tree support the immune system and can help fight off illness.
- Mood Enhancement: Essential oils such as lavender, frankincense, and citrus oils may support emotional balance and mental clarity when taken internally.
The Mechanism of Action of Essential Oils When Inhaled and How They Help in Stress Management
The mechanism of action of essential oils when inhaled is related to their ability to influence the nervous system through olfactory receptors. Essential oils contain volatile molecules that, when inhaled, enter the nasal cavity and can affect various physiological processes in the body. Let’s explore how this mechanism works and why essential oils can help manage stress.
1. Pathway of Action: From Smell to the Brain
When we inhale essential oils, their molecules pass through the nose and interact with the olfactory system. In the nose, there are olfactory receptors that can recognize various odor molecules. These receptors are connected to the olfactory bulb, which in turn sends signals to different parts of the brain.
- The olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) transmits information about odors from the olfactory receptors to the olfactory bulb, and from there, the signals go to the limbic system—the part of the brain responsible for emotions, memory, and behavior.
2. The Limbic System and Emotional Regulation
The limbic system plays a key role in regulating mood, emotions, and stress. It includes structures such as the hippocampus (responsible for memory), the amygdala (which regulates emotional reactions like fear and anxiety), and other areas associated with emotions and memory.
When the molecules of essential oils interact with the limbic system, they can:
- Reduce activity in the amygdala — this helps reduce feelings of anxiety and fear, which is important for stress relief.
- Modulate neurotransmitter levels (such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid) that regulate mood and emotional state.
- Activate areas related to relaxation and pleasure, such as the prefrontal cortex, which plays a role in controlling emotions and cognitive functions.
3. Anti-Stress Effects of Essential Oils
Different essential oils have various effects on the nervous system, allowing them to be used for stress management. For example:
- Lavender — one of the most well-known essential oils with a calming effect on the nervous system. Studies show that lavender can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in the body and help improve sleep quality.
- Chamomile and bergamot — also known for their relaxing properties. These oils can reduce anxiety and enhance a sense of well-being.
- Melissa and patchouli — oils that help cope with anxiety, depression, and heightened nervousness.
- Ylang-ylang and sandalwood — oils that can influence emotional states by reducing aggression and increasing feelings of inner balance.
4. Neurobiological Mechanism of Action
The main biological mechanism through which essential oils affect the nervous system is related to their ability to modulate the activity of various neurotransmitters and stress hormones. For example:
- Reduction of cortisol levels — cortisol is a stress hormone, and elevated levels are associated with chronic stress and anxiety. Some essential oils, such as lavender, can help reduce cortisol levels in the body, promoting relaxation.
- Increase in serotonin and dopamine levels — these neurotransmitters are often called "happiness hormones." Essential oils can stimulate their release, improving mood and reducing symptoms of stress and depression.
- GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) — a neurotransmitter that inhibits neural activity, promotes relaxation, and reduces anxiety. Some essential oils, such as lavender, can help increase GABA levels in the brain.
5. Psychosomatic Impact of Aroma
In addition to the neurobiological effect, aroma also has a psychosomatic impact. A pleasant scent can trigger positive associations, help the person relax, and restore emotional balance. It can also reduce the physiological response to stress (for example, accelerated heartbeat or high blood pressure).
6. Medical Research
Some studies confirm that the use of essential oils can reduce stress and anxiety. For example:
- One study showed that lavender essential oil helped reduce stress levels in patients before surgical operations.
- Other studies found that aromatherapy using essential oils can be an effective tool in managing chronic stress and anxiety.
Studies and clinical researches
Why join our essential community
Aromatherapy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and daily stress management. Therefore, after completing our coaching program, we invite you to join the community of essential oil enthusiasts and professional doTERRA aromatherapy experts.
To become a doTERRA customer and a member of the Stress Mastery community, you need to register and purchase your first essential oils starter kit on the official manufacturer’s website by following this link: _____
What to expect after registration:
- A comprehensive wellness consultation after filling out a questionnaire about your physical and mental health. The consultation will be conducted by an experienced aromatherapist, who will provide you with personalized recommendations on how to use essential oils correctly in your daily life.
- Your personal consultant will always be available to answer questions, help you create essential oil usage protocols for yourself and your family members.
- In your personal account on the doterra.com website, you will have access to wholesale prices on all essential oils and related products, as well as a loyalty program that allows you to receive cashback from each purchase, ranging from 10% to 30%.
- The Stress Mastery aromatherapy community, where we provide educational and inspiring content, hold meetings and workshops, help you incorporate essential oils into your daily routine, and answer all your questions.
Unsure if aromatherapy is right for you? Book your first free consultation with a specialist or attend our introductory masterclass.
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