There are any number of ways to use essential oils, but the two most popular ways are diffusion into the air, and direct application onto the skin. We'll discuss diffusion first.
Diffusion
Diffusion of essential oils into the air of an enclosed space (such as a house or office) is popularly called aromatherapy. That's because the highly aromatic, sweet-smelling molecules of the essential oils are literally breathed into the human body, at which point they trigger numerous immune-boosting, healing, relaxation or stimulation responses depending upon the specific oils being inhaled. Dr. Valnet points out that whether applied directly, or inhaled, essential oils have virtually the same therapeutic impact on the human body. And Dr. Gary Young points out that the body's response time to inhalation of essential oils can be as quick as one to three seconds! This is why, for many people, inhalation is the preferred method of use of the essential oils.
According to Young, here's how inhalation of the essential oils works: "The integral part of the nose responsible for odor detection is the olfactory, consisting of two membranes, one on each side of the mucous membrane covering the bony extension of the nose. The olfactory membranes are very tiny and are well protected by the casing of the nose. They contain about 800 million nerve endings for detecting and processing odorous molecules. These receptors are so small, that they are only visible through an electron microscope on high magnification. The nerve endings are triggered from a signal from the genes along the inside passage of the nose. The olfactory hair-like nerves receive the micro- fine, vaporized oil particles, carrying them along the axon of the nerve fibers, connecting them with the synapse of the secondary neurons in the olfactory bulb.
The nerve from the olfactory bulb extends back toward the mid-brain, which is a direct extension of the limbic system of the brain. The impulses carried to the limbic system and the olfactory sensory center at the base of the brain pass between the pituitary and pineal gland, and then to the amygdala, and on to the gustatory center."
Throughout this complex route, the oil molecules trigger millions of electrical signals and impulses that form coded messages which are then dispatched to various areas of the body. This is one reason why oil inhalation tends to increase the production of endorphins (the body's natural pain relievers and mood elevators), as well as neuro-transmitters and antibodies, thereby dramatically boosting the immune system, creating an overall sense of well-being (either relaxation or stimulation, depending upon the oil) and increasing the general state of health of the entire body.
Moreover, when oils are diffused in a home or office, they purify the air itself by removing toxins, metallic particles and other harmful microscopic debris. They also increase the atmospheric oxygen of the air, and boost levels of beneficial ozone and negative ions which, as shown earlier in this report, dramatically inhibit the growth and reproduction of airborne pathogens. Further, as the odorous molecules drift to the various surfaces of each room (i.e., ceilings, floors, walls, tiling etc.), they rapidly kill virtually all pathogenic bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi they come into contact with. And lastly, they completely destroy odors from mold, cigarettes, household pets and more.
Essential oils can be diffused into the air in a number of ways. During summer months when you have a fan or air conditioner running, one of the simplest ways to diffuse oils is to put a few drops of your favorite oil onto a kleenex and secure the kleenex next to the air vent or the fan cage so that the air blows across it. The blowing air then circulates the aromatic molecules of the essential oils throughout your house, and you breathe them in as you go about your normal daily household activities.
Perhaps the most popular and effective method of diffusing oils is to buy a product called a diffuser, which distributes an ultra-fine mist of the essential oils of your choice into the air. The millions of tiny droplets produced by a high-quality diffuser are so fine they can hang in the air of your house literally for hours, spreading from room to room via the normal air circulation that occurs as you walk through your house.
One of our favorite methods of diffusing, if only because of its simplicity, is to purchase an inexpensive 4 oz. or 6 oz. "mister" or spray bottle such as you'd use to mist houseplants. Fill the mister with water, add 15 or 20 drops of essential oil, shake well, and then walk through your house briefly "misting" each room with the solution as you go.
Regardless of which method of diffusion you choose, you'll find immediate beneficial effects. For example, diffusing oils into a room where someone is sick with a cold or flu can cut their downtime by half or more. According to the experts, recovery can be accelerated by as much as 70%! And regular diffusion of essential oils can practically eliminate your normal change-of-season bouts with colds or flu. According to Dr. Valnet, "Many essences (e.g. cinnamon, pine, thyme, lemon) have marked effects on influenza, and patients treated with these essences seem to get through the winter without trouble." By way of personal experience with these amazing essential oils, we have found them to offer much in the way of additional therapeutic benefits, going way beyond their powerful immuneboosting and anti-microbial properties.
For example, simply smelling the essential oil of lavender right out of the bottle can knock out a stubborn sinus headache within 60 to 90 seconds. Smelling the essential oil of eucalyptus for just several minutes helps to open clogged nasal passages and clear up sinus congestion like magic. And smelling the essential oil of peppermint for several minutes will usually completely eliminate acid indigestion and heartburn!
We have also discovered in our personal experience that the essential oils of birch or helichrysm will often completely alleviate knee and joint pains when applied directly to the painful area. That's evidently because they both have chemical constituents that are anti-inflammatory and analgesic, in addition to their oxygenating, immune-boosting and anti-microbial properties! Other essential oils, such as rose, lavender and ylang ylang can be rubbed into the area of the back, up and down the spine, just before bedtime for insomnia. Their amazing calming and relaxing effects practically guarantee a sound night's sleep! And again, these benefits come on top of all of the other powerful anti-pathogenic, immune-boosting, cell-nourishing, body-oxygenating and health-enhancing properties of the oils!
Direct Application
As mentioned earlier in this report, direct application of essential oils to any area of the human body results in almost immediate penetration of the cells of the body. In as little as 21 minutes, virtually every cell of the body will have been penetrated by the oil, regardless of where the oil was applied.
Furthermore, the essential oils carry their oxygen molecules and micronutrients right into the cells with them, nourishing and oxygenating in an extraordinarily efficient manner unmatched by any other product on earth. Of course, anytime your cells get the vital nutrients and oxygen they need, they become more robust, healthy and resistant to illness and disease.