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).

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Dr. Joshua Yorgason, MD
Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon)
Member, dōTERRA Medical Advisory Board

Each type of oil contains a mixture of natural chemical compounds unique to that species of plant and to the environment in which the plant is grown. For thousands of years, humans have ingested plants in the form of food as well as plant parts and extracts as herbal health products and teas from leaves and flowers, which contain essential oils. One could argue that it should also be safe to ingest essential oils in small quantities, just as we have been doing when ingesting plants containing essential oils. Because they are produced naturally by plants, essential oils are found in naturally balanced mixtures. Then why is there an ongoing concern about the internal use of essential oils? Internal use can not only be very effective, but is also safe.

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We all have days where we can use a little more energy. Maybe you have young toddlers running you in circles all day. Or you just didn’t sleep well the night before and you feel drained and tired. Instead of reaching for multiple cups of coffee or other stimulants I will give you some alternative suggestions to try boosting your energy. Not all the suggestions I give will work for everyone because we might be tired for different reasons but maybe you will find something that will work. I like to focus on non toxic, natural solutions to common problems because it helps us life a healthier life.

Here is a trick for getting a natural high using essential oils. It might sound odd but at least try it, because it really can work! Note: Only try this with high quality, therapeutic grade oils, and at your own risk (have to throw that in there). Simply put, a knockoff brand won’t give you the benefits we’re about to discuss because the essential oils are cut with other oils that can be toxic to your body.

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Thank you for visiting my website. My goal is to provide you with as much information as I can about essential oils. I will try and find relevant research showing the benefits of essential oils. I will help make suggestions on which essential oils would be beneficial for specific situations and I will give you recipes on how to incorporate essential oils into your daily life. It’s a brand new website so bare with me as I will it up with tips, tricks and information on using essential oils!