In aromatherapy, essential oils can be absorbed into the bloodstream in two main ways to provide therapeutic benefits: through the skin and through the respiratory system. The diverse effects of aromatherapy on the body come from the three unique modes of action of essential oils:
- trigger chemical changes in the body as the essential oil enters the bloodstream and interacts with hormones and enzymes;
- exert a physiological influence on the body’s systems;
- create a psychological impact when the oil’s scent is inhaled.
The skin
Because the skin has the largest surface area for applying essential oils, it serves as the primary pathway through which these oils enter the bloodstream and provide therapeutic benefits.
The skin is made up of two main layers:
- the outermost layer, known as the epidermis, which is further divided into five distinct layers: the stratum corneum, stratum transparente, stratum granulare, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale.
- the deeper layer, called the dermis, which houses appendages such as hair, hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and a rich network of blood vessels that supply essential nutrients to the epidermis.
Essential oils consist of small organic molecules that allow them to penetrate the skin and pass through the stratum corneum of the epidermis. They enter through the ducts of the sweat glands and hair follicles, reaching the upper dermis and capillary circulation. Absorption of essential oils through the skin occurs by simple diffusion, as the skin is semipermeable, and these oils contain components that are mainly fat-soluble and partially water-soluble. The essential oil's fat-soluble aromatic molecules dissolve in the oily sebum produced by the sebaceous glands and travel to the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis), where they are carried by blood and lymphatic vessels into the main bloodstream.
The respiratory system
The lungs are the body’s most efficient excretory organ, eliminating approximately 60% of all waste products. The lungs’ ability to absorb oxygen when inhaled, as well as essential oils when vaporized, also contribute to their ability to absorb oxygen when inhaled, as well as essential oils when vaporized. When the gaseous molecules of the essential oil are inhaled, they reach the alveoli, which are the smallest chambers in the lungs. These tiny chambers are separated from the nearby capillaries by a thick, single-celled wall, facilitating close contact between the blood and air, which allows oxygen to diffuse into the blood and carbon dioxide to be removed from it. Thus, inhaling the scent of essential oils allows them to quickly enter the bloodstream and begin their effects.
The Limbic System
The limbic system is a V-shaped structure located above the brainstem, comprising the amygdala, hippocampus, part of the thalamus, and the hypothalamus.
The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory function and is a paired organ, one located in each temporal lobe of the brain. In the case of smell, the hippocampus helps associate a smell with its “memory bank,” helping us recognize whether it is a familiar smell and, yes, which related memories do not come to mind. The amygdala is located symmetrically in the limbic system, just above the hypothalamus, at the anterior tip of the temporal lobes. The amygdala is thought to work with the hypothalamus to regulate emotional responses; certain smells can trigger a wide range of emotions, from pleasure to anger and aggression. The anterior section of the limbic system is located in the olfactory cortex, which clarifies the close connection between smells and emotions. Another component of the limbic system, known as the septum pellicidus, is considered the pleasure center. When electrical impulses are applied to this area of the brain, they have been shown to induce happiness in people with depression, relieve pain in cancer patients, and increase sexual arousal in some people.
The limbic system receives sensory information from the olfactory, visual, auditory, balance, and vestibular systems. It processes a significant amount of this information and routes it to the cerebral cortex. It establishes connections with the lower brainstem and the upper brain, facilitating a balance and integration of emotion and reason. The limbic system has numerous connections with the thalamus, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland, which explains why olfactory sensory receptors can affect endocrine function.
Functionally, the limbic system is a complex structure containing approximately 34 structures and 53 pathways. It serves as the main center for our emotions and is associated with the perception of smells, sensations of pleasure and pain, and emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, and sexual feelings.
The complex nature of limbic systems, along with the direct connection between olfactory receptor cells and the limbic region of the brain, explains why smells can trigger emotional reactions and bring back memories from the past, as memories related to smells tend to last longer than those based on images.
The Circulatory System
The skin and mucous membranes absorb essential oils into the bloodstream, which has an impact on general circulation. Essential oils that have a warming or rubefacient effect not only influence the internal organs, but also improve local blood circulation. These oils bring radiance and warmth to the surface of the skin. As a result, they can provide a numbing or analgesic effect, especially for pain relief. In addition, these oils can help reduce local inflammation by generating free mediators in the body that promote the expansion of blood vessels. This allows blood to circulate faster and more freely. Furthermore, the dilation of the vessels helps reduce swelling.
The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system serves three main purposes:
- drains excess fluid from the body’s cells and tissues; extracellular fluid from the tissues is absorbed into the lymphatic vessels and transported to the lymph nodes for cleansing before entering the bloodstream via the subclavian veins;
- fights infection through the production of lymphocytes by the lymph nodes and the generation of antibodies that help engulf and neutralize invading bacteria. The lymph nodes function as filtering stations, densely populated with lymphocytes that consume foreign bodies as lymph (a clear fluid containing white blood cells) flows through the nodes;
- absorbs and distributes fat-soluble nutrients; when the products of fat digestion reach the small intestine, they enter the lymphatic system through intestinal lymphatic vessels known as lacteals.
Aromatherapy emphasizes the importance of the lymphatic system because it helps with several actions:
- boosts immunity;
- promotes the flow of lymph from tissues into the circulatory system;
- helps prevent edema;
- reduces blood viscosity;
- relieves general swelling of tissues;
- encourages the absorption of waste materials from tissues.
The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a complex network of communication and coordination that regulates numerous body functions.
The glands that make up this system release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones can affect areas of the body that may be far from where they are secreted. The major endocrine glands are:
- pituitary gland;
- thyroid gland;
- parathyroid glands;
- adrenal glands;
- islets of Langerhans;
- ovary;
- testicle.
The Nervous System
The nervous system serves as the body’s main communication network and works closely with the endocrine system to manage body functions. It is divided into two main parts:
- the central nervous system, which acts as a control center and includes a two-way communication system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
- the peripheral system, which consists of nerves that transmit messages to and from the central nervous system.
Central Nervous System: The basic unit of the nervous system is a neuron, or nerve, and there are two main types of nerve impulses:
- tensory nerves, which collect stimuli from sensory organs and receptors, sending impulses to the spinal cord and brain.
- totor nerves, which carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system to muscles and glands, causing them to act.
Key areas of the brain relevant to aromatherapy include:
- the olfactory bulb in the cerebral cortex, which detects aroma;
- the limbic system, often called the “smell brain,” associated with emotions and memory;
- the hypothalamus, which oversees other body functions by regulating the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems.
Peripheral nervous system: is made up of the components of the nervous system that lie outside the brain and spinal cord.
These include:
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves
- 12 pairs of cranial nerves
- autonomic nervous system
The 31 pairs of spinal nerves extend from the spinal cord. Each nerve has two thin branches that connect it to the autonomic nervous system. The spinal nerves receive sensory impulses from the body and send motor signals to designated areas of the body. By stimulating the spinal nerves through aromatherapy massage, communication can be established with various organs (respiratory, digestive, sensory, urinary and reproductive), helping to alleviate any blockages and weaknesses in the nerve pathways.
Aromatherapy can help the nervous system by: - relieving nervous tension and assisting with stress-related issues; - promoting relaxation; - activating nerves to relieve congestion, which in turn improves the performance of associated organs and tissues.
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