When we talk about essential oils, most people think of aromatherapy, relaxing massages, or a fresh-smelling room.
Essential oils have taken the wellness world by storm, but have you ever wondered what happens once those fragrant drops hit your skin or enter your lungs? How does your system actually process them?
This fascinating process is called the metabolism of essential oils, and it’s an incredible journey!
While it may seem complex, let’s break it down into something simple and easy to digest.
How Essential Oils Travel Through Your Body
Once essential oils enter your bloodstream—whether through inhalation, skin absorption, or even ingestion—they spread quickly throughout your body. The kidneys and other organs with a lot of blood flow get them first. If you’re particularly active, your muscles will also receive a hefty amount.
Interestingly, some human trials have shown essential oil compounds,, like d-limonene, can stick around in your body for a while. If you inhale large amounts, it may even linger in your body’s fat tissue for days. This is especially true for oils with fat-loving (lipophilic) compounds, such as terpene hydrocarbons.
What does that mean for your brain? Well, because pure essential oils are fat-soluble, they can even pass into your central nervous system, which may be why certain oils have such strong effects on mood and mental clarity.
Binding in the Blood: How Essential Oils Become "Inactive"
As these oils circulate in your blood, some bind to a protein called plasma albumin. This protein is like a sponge, soaking up essential oil compounds and temporarily taking them out of action.
But don’t worry, they’re still there—just inactive for the time being. Eventually, these compounds are released, extending the time the oils stay in your system.
For those with liver or kidney issues, it’s something to be cautious about. If you have less plasma albumin in circulation, you could end up with more "free" (and active) essential oils in your blood. This could potentially raise your sensitivity to certain oils.
What Happens in the Liver
After making their rounds in your bloodstream, essential oil compounds head to the liver for processing. The liver works in two stages to get these compounds ready for excretion:
Stage 1: Breaking It Down
- Oxidation: Enzymes convert alcohols into aldehydes and then into acids.
- Reduction: Large molecules are broken down into smaller ones, typically two-carbon units called acetyl groups.
- Hydrolysis: Esters in essential oils are split into their original components—alcohols and acids.
- Hydroxylation: Hydroxyl groups are added to carbon double bonds, like those found in aromatic rings.
Stage 2: Preparing for Exit
Once essential oil compounds are broken down, they’re often combined with other compounds, like glutathione—a crucial detoxifier. This helps make them water-soluble so they can be safely eliminated from the body.
However, certain essential oil compounds like eugenol (found in clove oil) or cinnamic aldehyde (from cinnamon) can deplete glutathione if used in large doses. If that happens, your liver could have trouble detoxifying properly, similar to what happens with an overdose of medications like paracetamol.
Excretion: How Essential Oils Leave the Body
Now that your body has broken down these compounds, it’s time for them to be excreted. While small amounts may leave through your lungs or sweat (yes, essential oils can make you smell like them for hours!), most of the excretion happens through your kidneys.
In some cases, oils like linalool (commonly found in lavender) may even be expelled through bile and into your intestines, eventually exiting with your stool.
Final Thoughts
The way your body processes essential oils is both intricate and fascinating. From absorption to excretion, every step ensures that you get the benefits of these powerful compounds in a safe and controlled way.
But, like anything, balance is key. Using essential oils wisely—especially in larger doses—helps your body manage them efficiently without depleting important resources like glutathione.
So the next time you enjoy the calming scent of lavender or the refreshing aroma of lemon, remember, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to make that experience possible!