Can you drink essential oils? Internal application.
Another way you can apply essential oils is internally.
Just a note on safety. Most essential oils on the market are not pure enough for internal consumption (even if the label says 100% pure). Some are produced synthetically and can be dangerous to ingest.
There is a bit of controversy over whether you should ingest essential oils. This controversy comes about because of the prevalent low grade essential oils on the market that should not under any circumstances be taken internally. The more you are informed, the more you are able to understand safely enjoy the awesome benefits of essential oils–especially high-grade essential oils you CAN take internally.
You absolutely can use essential oils internally. Millions of people do. I am one of them. But this only applies to pure, therapeutic essential oils. If you have questions about whether you can take your brand of essential oils internally, consult the product information from the provider. If it doesn’t say it, don’t do it. If the bottle is not labeled, look on their website, or product guide.
WHICH ESSENTIAL OIL CAN I TAKE INTERNALLY?
You don’t want to ingest just any pure therapeutic essential oil. Some don’t make sense to ingest because they are either too spicy or their characteristic benefit is better applied Aromatically or Internally. For example Soothing Essential Oil Blend which is normally used to sooth achy muscles. If you trust the brand, then you can use the simple rule-of-thumb that if it sounds like a food, you can likely ingest it.
I completely trust the brand of essential oil we use in our family and am grateful for the ability to benefit from the internal application of essential oils. I am grateful to the company who produces them. If you want to find out more about what brand I use, follow me.
MODE OF USE
The easiest way to take essential oils internally is to
- drink a drop or two
- add a few drops to your drinking water.
- You can also add a few drops to a vegetable pill capsule if you do not like the taste of the essential oil you want or it is spicy.
- Add essential oils to your food.
ORALLY TO BODY SYSTEMS
Taking your essential oils orally means it will enter the body through the mouth, throat, and digestive system.
From the digestive system, they are absorbed through layers of cells called epithelial cells (similar to your skin system) that separates internal and external environments. The inside of your intestine is considered an external environment (one in which trillions of microbial organism live in a symbiotic relationship with us to help us get the most of the nutrition from the food we eat).
Some essential oils will not be absorbed, but will have a localized effect in the digestive tract. This is especially true when you eat a large or fatty meal with your essential oils. These essential oils may be excreted from the digestive tract.
Once the essential oil passes through the stomach and intestinal linings, it enters the blood and travels through the portal vein to the liver before entering systemic blood circulation. Having gone once through the kidney before entering general circulation means that some essential oils are partially metabolized into what are called metabolites. These metabolites may have different benefits having gone through this route. Otherwise the untouched essential oils continue to travel to the body.
Once in the body, they have a systemic effect in the body promoting the Therapeutic benefit inherent in the essential oil.
They are then cleansed within hours, fully metabolized and secreted by the kidney and urine.
BENEFITS OF INTERNAL CONSUMPTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS
These are the main areas of benefit to taking essential oils internally:
- Digestive System
- Mouth
- Throat
- Supports Organs
TIPS FOR INTERNAL USE
Use a glass water bottle. Some essential oils can breakdown petrochemicals such as plastics over time. So it is best to use glass to store and use your essential oils.
I’m a water drinker. I don’t think I have had a soft-drink (soda) for a long time. I love putting essential oils in my water for flavor and therapeutic benefits. I have a few recommendations for you to add to your water: Lemon, Peppermint, Digestive Blend, and Grapefruit.
Only take the oils internally when it makes sense to. Many people are accustomed to ‘popping a pill’ for every ill. With essential oils, it’s a new paradigm, so consider also to utilize the oils topically and aromatically too.
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