When essential oils enter the bloodstream, they have an effect on the whole body. The oils circulate through the bloodstream and interact with tissues and cells throughout the body.
Eventually the circulating oils must pass through the liver, which is an organ situated in the lower-right side of the thorax, below the ribcage. The liver is thought to be the primary site of essential oil metabolism within the body. Metabolism is a term that refers to the life-sustaining chemical reactions occurring within living cells that provide for growth, reproduction, resiliency, and response to the environment. When the essential oil moves into the liver, specialized enzymes work to break down individual compounds into metabolites. These metabolites continue to circulate within the body before being eliminated, primarily in urine (1). Some essential oil metabolites may also be eliminated in the feces, through the skin, or exhaled from the lungs (2).
Many essential oil metabolites have been found to be biologically active and contribute their own favorable effects. For example, one study explored how limonene, the primary constituent in many citrus oils, is changed by the body to produce perillic acid as its primary metabolite (3). Although limonene itself is highly efficacious, perillic acid mimics the effects of limonene and can even demonstrate a stronger effect (4-6).
Another example is linalyl acetate, which is present in high amounts in lavender, clary sage, and bergamot essential oils. Enzymes in the body metabolize linalyl acetate to linalool (2,7). Linalool is thought to promote relaxation in the body (8). Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that when linalyl acetate is administered by itself, it can also promote relaxation (9). Presumably this occurs because linalyl acetate is converted to linalool.
Essential oil metabolism is an exhaustively researched subject (2). Understanding how the body metabolizes essential oils helps users to better appreciate their wellness-promoting power.
Contact me for more questions about essential oils or how to purchase 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils. EssentialOilPrincess@Gmail.com
Bibliography
-
Levin J-O, Erikssom K, Falk A, Lof A. Renal elimination of verbenols in man following experimentsl alpha-pinene inhalation exposure.Int Arch Occup Env Heal. 1992;63:571-573.
-
Jager W. Metabolism of terpenoids in animal models and humans. In: Baser KHC, Buchbauer G, eds.Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group; 2010:209-234.
-
Chow HHS, Salazar D, Hakim I a. Pharmacokinetics of perillic acid in humans after a single dose administration of a citrus preparation rich in d-Limonene content.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002;11(November):1472-1476.
-
Zhang Z, Chen H, Chan KK, Budd T, Ganapathi R. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of perillyl alcohol and metabolites in plasma.J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 1999;728(1):85-95.
-
Gelb MH, Tamanoi F, Yokoyama K, Ghomashchi F, Esson K, Gould MN. The inhibition of protein prenyltransferases by oxygenated metabolites of limonene and perillyl alcohol.Cancer Lett. 1995;91(2):169-175.
-
Fukumoto S, Sawasaki E, Okuyama S, Miyake Y, Yokogoshi H. Flavor components of monoterpenes in citrus essential oils enhance the release of monoamines from rat brain slices.Nutr Neurosci. 2011;9(April 2006):73-80.
-
Bickers D, Calow P, Greim H, et al. A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of linalool and related esters when used as fragrance ingredients.Food Chem Toxicol. 2003;41(7):919-942.
-
Kang P, Seol GH. Linalool elicits vasorelaxation of mouse aortae through activation of guanylyl cyclase and K(+) channels.J Pharm Pharmacol. 2015;67(5):714-719.
-
Koto R, Imamura M, Watanabe C, et al. Linalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit vascular smooth muscle through dephosphorylation of myosin light chain.J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006;48(1):850-856.