How do our bodies metabolise essential oils?
We all know that we need plants for our existence and survival. The contain digestible nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils. They also contain secondary metabolites such as; alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids. These are substances that are indigestible to our bodies. It is okay though, K Schnaublelt, Phd continues with this wonderful statement.
"Essential oils do not act as weapons, but as agents of interaction. They are key ingredients of life itself, strengthening its fabric and preconditions."
Why do we need to be careful?
Essential oils do not contain the whole plant but the smaller molecules, small enough to be easily absorbed into our tissues both internal and external. Making them highly effective through inhalation and external application. Knowledge of how our bodies process drugs helps us to partly understand how we would process these complex substances. To do this we look and develop and in depth knowledge of the chemistry of EO's to determine the main functional group in each oil. Examples are Aldehydes, Esters, Ketones an Phenol's. eg. We know that working with oils high in Aldehydes can cause skin irritation and some Ketones are known to be both toxic and neurotoxic. (pg 103 Sal Battaglia)
As aromatherapists we can get very caught up on the chemistry. There is a very special difference between isolated or synthesised chemicals found in drugs and our environments and EO's that science has yet been able to work out the hows or copy. EO's are alive and have a life force that is found in all things living, that interacts with us in a powerful way. Maybe that is why there is not hundreds and thousands of reports of poisonings and deaths of essential oils. Though there is some through indigestion and using high dosages neat on your skin. You can visit here for more information and help. http://www.scgh.health.wa.gov.au/OurServices/WAPIC/
Evolution has provided mechanisms within our bodies to process these indigestible components of plants. We do this through our liver. There are two processes Phase I and Phase II detoxification. The processes are our defense against EO's and also drugs and environmental pollutants. EO's naturally activate the Phase I and Phase II processes and often stimulate the production of more enzymes than needed and will also break down other previously accumulated toxins.
Back to basics....
Most essential oil is absorbed by the mouth or throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines all the way down to the liver to bind with enzymes and transformed into water soluble components to be eliminated. When we absorb EO's through our tissues they enter our blood stream and will eventually end up back at our liver to be processed, this makes us very vulnerable to toxic build up.
Digestive process....
Mouth (absorption) ---- digestive tract (absorption) ----- Liver (mixed with bile, some reabsorbed and some excreted) --- metabolites continue to circulate in our blood stream to our heart to be distributed back to the liver, lungs, kidneys or into the body. This cycle continues until they have all been eliminated.
In summary essential oils;
are treated as foreign bodies and contain no nutrients
need to be metabolised by our liver before going to other organs.
will remain in our blood stream until the liver is able to process them all into more friendly constituents
have a life force that is more powerful than we understand on the physical level
References:
Schnaubelt, Kurt. Phd. 2011. The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. Healing Arts Press, Toronto Canada.
Bowles, E. Joy. 2018. Inside Aromatherapy Workshop. Perth WA
Battaglia, Salvatore. 2018. The Complete guide to Aromatherapy. 3rd Edition. Black Pepper Creative, Brisbane.
