Aromatherapy - Essential Oils and the Sense of Smell

Aromatherapy: An Overview of Essential Oils

• Basics of essential oils

• Essential oils and the emotional level

• Essential oils and the physical level

• Which essential oils are used in connection with the digestive tract?

Basics of Essential Oils

Essential oils are very small, strongly scented molecules formed in many native and exotic plants. Plants produce them to improve their own chances of survival: the scent molecules provide atmospheric protection, ward off predators, or help attract pollinating insects.

Numerous scientific studies address the question of how these small aromas act on our body. Aromatherapy distinguishes between two basic levels, the emotional and the physical level:

Essential Oils and the Emotional Level

When we breathe, our nose automatically detects the smells around us. Via the olfactory bulb in the nose, the chemical impulses of the scent molecules reach the limbic system directly and unfiltered. As the oldest part of our brain, the limbic system plays a special role: this is exactly where our emotions and memories are stored.

Scents and smells therefore penetrate quickly and directly into the area of our brain that Freud called the "unconscious" – into our soul. The stored scents and scent memories remain with us for a lifetime as a "scent memory." It is responsible for sometimes inexplicable scent preferences or aversions.

In their treatments, aromatherapists therefore check the individual scent preferences of their patients: even if several or even dozens of oils were available for a particular issue, preference is given to those associated with positive memories and emotions.

Essential Oils and the Physical Level

Essential oils are not single substances like aspirin, but extremely complex mixtures with a high proportion of components – in some cases more than 500 different substances. We find alcohols such as citronellol, geraniol, farnesol, and phenylethanol, aldehydes such as citral, esters such as geranyl acetate, ethers and oxides such as methyleugenol and eucalyptol, phenols such as menthol, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes such as limonene and α-pinene, among others.

As examples, we present three of the substance groups mentioned above and the topics they are associated with in aromatherapy:

• Monoterpenes (such as α-pinene from conifers or limonene from citrus fruits) are described in aromatherapy in connection with germs, the immune system, vitality, and concentration

• Oxides (such as 1,8-cineole in eucalyptus) are described in aromatherapy in connection with inflammation, cramps, mucus and expectoration, mood, and calming

• Alcohols (such as linalool in lavender) are described in aromatherapy in connection with germs, the skin, mood, and the nervous system

In naturopathy, essential oils are also used in connection with digestive complaints. In our colon hydrotherapy treatments, in therapeutic bodywork, and in our aroma coaching sessions, we use essential oils in single-oil applications, in personalized formulations, and in our oil blends for aroma massage.

Components of essential oils can bind to special cell receptors. In aromatherapy, this is described in connection with pain and cramps, the production of messenger substances, as well as muscles, skin structure, and tissue.

At the same time, scents are processed purely olfactorily in our emotional center, within tenths of a second. In aromatherapy, this is described in connection with relaxation, focus, and breathing.

Which Essential Oils Are Used in Connection with the Digestive Tract?

Fennel (Latin: Foeniculum vulgare) is described in aromatherapy in connection with appetite, constipation, cramps, general digestive problems, pain in the digestive tract, bloating, and nausea. The properties attributed to it relate, among other things, to inflammatory processes, microorganisms, and the muscles.

Caraway (Latin: Carum carvi) is a classic for digestion and is known almost everywhere in Europe as a kitchen and bread spice. The essential oil is rich in ketones (carvone) and is described in aromatherapy in connection with irregular digestion, fungal and parasitic infections, intestinal colic, bloating and flatulence, heartburn, poor appetite, and bile flow. The light-colored oil has a strong, warm, sweetish, and spicy scent.

Coriander (Latin: Coriandrum sativum) Two different essential oils are produced from coriander: the oil from the seeds of the plant and the oil from the upper parts (leaves and stems). For our digestive oil, we use the seed oil, which was already mentioned in the 4th century BC in Ayurvedic medicine as a carminative and tonic in the digestive area. This is also the main area of use of cardamom. The essential oil smells warm, sweet-spicy, and exotic. In aromatherapy, it is described in connection with cramps, bloating, gastric motility, infections and parasites, as well as stress and exhaustion.

Cumin (Latin: Cuminum cyminum) is distilled from the seeds. It is rich in aldehydes and monoterpenes. In aromatherapy, cumin is described in connection with digestive problems and irregular digestion, cramps, and stress-related complaints.

Cardamom (Latin: Elettaria cardamomum) has a high proportion of oxides and esters. In aromatherapy, it is described in connection with digestive problems, bloating, cramps, pain, nausea, bad breath, and stress.

Peppermint (Latin: Mentha piperita) is a well-known medicinal plant that is traditionally used in phytotherapy in connection with digestive complaints. It has also been scientifically studied in connection with pain. The scent of peppermint is radiantly fresh, cool, and active. In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is described in connection with loss of appetite, bad breath, pain, and diarrhea. Children should not use the oil.