Using Your Ritual Essential Oils
Photography by With SaltBox
Much of my experience with essential oils (EOs) was skewed by multi-level marketing companies pushing their plant oil products in predatory ways. In my opinion, these companies (also could be labeled as pyramid schemes), ravaged wild and organic plants with the paramount objective to make money. Companies like Young Living created a convincing program to well-meaning folks interested in the properties of EOs and sharing that knowledge. I felt upset over the problematic ethical and environmental issues. However, I know humans have been using plant oils for a wide range of reasons for thousands of years, so I wanted to find a way to be in relationship with them rather than just using them.
SCIENTIFIC BASIS
The science community has caught up to EOs and now there are research studies or trainings in medical communities to use them for various reasons. There are multiple ways to use plant oils i.e., inhalation, topical application, or ingestion. Essential oils use the olfactory system, the integumentary system (skin), and the gastro-intestinal system. Different factors affect the rate of uptake of each chemical constituent in and EO and how much of it is included to test their effects. “For the skin and digestive system, the chemical components of essential oils can directly activate gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and transient receptor potential channels (TRP) channels, whereas in the olfactory system, chemical components activate olfactory receptors. Here, GABA receptors and TRP channels could play a role, mostly when the signals are transferred to the olfactory bulb and the brain,” (Fung, Benson, Shirley, Hector, 2021, Int J Mol Sci).
Photography by Peachhouse Productions
Evidence in recent research studies (Hay, Jamieson, Ormerod, 1998 Arch Dermatol) indicates that the molecular compounds of some EOs like lavender and bergamot can successfully reduce stress and anxiety. Essential oils utilized for aromatherapy can affect the behaviors and physiological conditions of our brain and body. From a medical standpoint, Fung et al say “EOs have the potential to relieve depression and secondary depressive symptoms arising from different types of chronic conditions, like anxiety disorders and dementia. Other research has shown that patients inhaling lavender EO before undergoing heart and abdominal surgeries reported less anxiety, suggesting the potential anxiolytic effect of the EO.”
I am most excited about the neurophysiological studies that have examined the olfactory cortex in relation to brain mapping. Out of all our senses, our sense of smell has the closest and most direct path to the brain. Fung et al. says, “The olfactory signal, unlike other sensory systems, can project the signal through the ipsilateral axon. The signal can then be directly transmitted to the cortex without including the thalamus. It realizes a highly specific, and direct connection between odor, memory, emotion, and endocrine function.” In other words, the olfactory cortex includes the piriform cortex which functions as the system for odor identification and olfactory information. The piriform cortex sends signals of information to the amygdala and hippocampus which have direct neuronal connections for memory and mood. The interaction of aroma and the hippocampus directly forms memory. I included a diagram of this unique pathway to receptors.
Fung TKH, Lau BWM, Ngai SPC, Tsang HWH. Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 3;22(9):4844. doi: 10.3390/ijms22094844. PMID: 34063646; PMCID: PMC8125361.
Energetic Properties
Now that we know EOs have direct impact on our moods and memory formation, we can explore energetic properties that may be harder to explain, but possible to feel. Many of us may feel a sense of relaxation when we smell lavender because not only does it have an anxiolytic effect, it is used in relaxing settings in which we have created memories of. When we smell lavender, our nervous system remembers the feeling of being relaxed. We can train our brains and bodies with aromatherapy. Ylang-ylang is another EO commonly used for relaxation and depression, and it has a deep exotic floral note. Perhaps you are transported to a vacation like setting when you smell ylang-ylang. Palo Santo is woody with bright citrus notes that can invoke nostalgia. I use all these different EOs in my ritual oil blends.
HOW TO USE
Although plant EOs have medicinal, antibacterial, and antifungal uses, I like to use blends for meditation and spiritual practices. When I was developing the blends of oils I wanted to offer, I thought meticulously about the energetic sensation I hoped to invoke with each product and how that would go along with a meditation or asana class. I used the word “synergy” to describe the ritual oils because each EO is meant to compliment the other so that it can be synergistic with our nervous systems, creating positive memories. For example, the Sun Ritual Synergy Oil Blend has lemongrass, cypress, and palmarosa giving it a light and bright essence. It contains frankincense and patchouli to add the depth of heat and rosemary for the sense of spice. I hope the blends support you in your practices, however you choose to use them!
