Our body can benefit from the benefits of essential oils (HE) through all routes: respiratory, skin, oral, rectal, vaginal. Three stand out, however:
The respiratory tract : diffused in the air, it is through the nostrils that EO molecules enter the body. Gas exchange takes place through the lungs and allows EOs to enter the blood. For optimum efficiency, highly volatile EOs (such as those from conifers, citrus), easy to absorb through the airways. They can then be dispersed in the air with an electric diffuser, inhale steam by diluting them in simmering water, or inhale the scent directly above the bottle.
The cutaneous route : lipophilic, EOs have the ability to cross the layers of the skin to penetrate inside the body. They are recovered by the microcirculation and follow the blood flow to be distributed very quickly throughout the organization. In a few minutes, we find traces of their molecules in the blood, in the urine … This is why they must be applied with caution! If, in some cases, you can directly massage certain areas of the body (hollow of the elbow, wrists, soles of the feet, etc.), it is often easier to mix them with a vegetable oil or on a neutral base, before using them in body massage or in the bath.
Oral route : some EOs potentially being of a neurotoxic nature (ET from thuja, sage officinale, caraway …) or hepatotoxic (EO of thymol thyme,oregano, tropical basil …) if they are used in high doses or for a long time, it is imperative not to improvise therapist during oral absorption. The dosage and setting times indicated by the doctor or pharmacist must be strictly observed in the context of preventive or curative treatment. Ditto for the use of HE in the kitchen. And they should never be swallowed pure, but diluted in a teaspoon of cooking oil, mother tincture (in pharmacies) by adding a few drops of dispersant to make the EOs miscible in water. You can also put one or two drops on a sugar or on the breadcrumbs.
To note : 2 to 3 hours, this is the time that must be observed between taking an essential oil by mouth and that of any other medication.
Can we integrate them into our dishes?
Extremely fragrant, the EO are also suitable to give flavor to our small dishes, as well as a sacred touch of originality! To try … but before that, 3 tips:
Do not mix them : one is more than enough.
Just by little touches : they are extremely powerful and if you let yourself go, your dish will be too strong, even inedible, and the taste of the staple food will be totally masked: have a light hand! Allow a maximum of 1 drop per person in a dish … but it is sometimes 4 times less!
Do not cook them (in a hot dish, they are added later), otherwise their aromas will fly away …
Some flavors to try : for a savory dish, bet on tarragon, ginger, bay leaf, mint, rosemary, thyme. For a sweet dish: try cinnamon, lemon, lavender, mint, sweet orange, ylang-ylang.
Read also :
Essential oils: use them well in skin application
The different ways to use essential oils
7 ways to use essential oils
