The natural aromas come from ‘volatile compounds’ that are found inside the fruit or plant.
When these plant materials are pressed and concentrated they release these volatile compounds. Never fear…volatile doesn’t mean they’re dangerous! ‘Volatile’ is just a fancy way of describing the small organic molecules that quickly evaporate when exposed to air.
Unlike water that must be heated in order to become a gas…essential oils release their aromas at normal temperatures.
This volatility makes essential oils ideal for diffusing and for practices such as aromatherapy. These aromas affect your limbic system. Your limbic system helps you create emotions and feelings. Think of this as the emotional ‘center’ of your brain.
Aroma molecules interact with sensors inside your nose. These then emit signals to the rest of your body. That’s why certain smells make you recall past memories or experience certain emotions.
The limbic system controls your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress and hormone balance.
New scientific research shows that breathing in essential oil aromas might be one of the fastest ways to create psychological or physiological benefits. And that’s all done the natural way (so if you’re like me and are leery of using pharmaceutical solutions then you’ll LOVE oils too!)
You can also digest oils, or absorb them into your skin. You can add a few drops of any oil to your creams and lotions in order to deliver oils healing properties to you. For example, lavender oil massaged into your skin can give you relief from headaches, help your skin to heal and even helps give you a solid night’s rest.
No one the ancients found these to magical!