What Essential Oils Are Good For Weight Loss: How To Use them Elevate Your Weight-Loss Plan
Using essential oils for weight loss might seem like an unusual solution. It is quite common, that every weight loss plan consists of well-balanced diet and a daily dose of workout. Thousands of people each year confidently start their weight-loss journey by strictly monitoring daily calorie intake while spending countless hours in the gym only to see the numbers on the scale stubbornly stuck in the same place.
Table of contents
It turns out that efficiency of every weight loss plan relies on the often neglected internal and external factors that make the body more resistant to the idea of letting go of those few extra pounds. Factors, such as mental state, stress, blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, hormones, slow metabolism, thyroid functioning, medications and poor lifestyle choices may be a cause of your weight struggle.
Fortunately, these hidden elements can be easily regulated and corrected with the help of essential oils for weight loss. Their aromatic essence is capable of positively influencing the physical and mental state of the body.
Aromatherapy for weight loss
Losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be described as a constant battle between the body and the mind. The daily temptations and trials can be easily worsened by internal factors such as emotions, poor digestion, depression, stress, and hormones, especially during the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, or if you are suffering from hypothyroidism.
All imbalances within the body that compromise your accomplished effort can be improved by simply inhaling the vibrant essence of essential oils capable of influencing the brain’s hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdalae.
Here are the explained functions of these three important parts of limbic system that will help you understand the power of aromatherapy for weight loss even further:
- Hypothalamus regulates hunger and thirst. It also affects blood pressure, heart rate, sleep/awake state and hormonal production through the nervous system.
- Hippocampus converts short-term memory into long-term memory. It gives us the sense of direction and navigation.
- Amygdalae processes memory and emotional reactions.
Inhaled essential oil molecules bind to human odorant receptors, which send electric impulses to the limbic system, especially hypothalamus. With such efficient transport, aromatherapy can balance hormonal secretion, strengthen immunity, trigger sexual desire and in this case, most importantly, enliven or dampen hunger and thirst, depending on the nature of the used essence.
9 Natural oils for weight loss
Grapefruit essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil reduces appetite and encourages weight loss due to the presence of powerful component called limonene, found in the 80% of the formula. According to the 2005 study published in The Neuroscience Letters Journal, grapefruit oil for weight loss induces lipolysis – a process responsible for the breakdown of body fat and protein.
Another influential component within the grapefruit essence called nootkatone stimulates the AMPK enzyme responsible for the control of body’s energy levels and metabolic rate. Boosted energy levels and metabolism will increase your endurance and physical performance for better execution of your workout routine.
Lemon essential oil
Lemon essential oil contains powerful fat-dissolving and cancer-fighting limonene that, according to the 2005 study published in Neuroscience Letters Journal, enhances lipolysis and affects automatic nervous system divided into two branches: sympathetic nervous system, also known as fight-or-flight system, and parasympathetic nervous system, also referred to as “rest and digest” or “feed or breed” system. These simplified names indicate the importance of nerves when it comes to losing weight.
The influential nature of lemon essential oil also raises levels of the stress hormone called norepinephrine, responsible for the activation of fight-or-flight mechanism. The heightened levels of stress hormone increase the oxygen levels within the brain, boost heart rate and blood flow for better muscle performance and improved response time.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is an effective natural muscle relaxant and painkiller. Containing up to 70% percent of menthol, the peppermint essence is capable of generating cooling sensation when in contact with the skin. This feature comes in handy when treating fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome or when relaxing sore muscles due to the intense workout.
Furthermore, peppermint essential oil also efficiently suppresses the appetite, lowering the daily calorie intake as a result. According to the 2008 study “Effects of Peppermint Scent on Appetite Control and Caloric Intake”, those who inhaled peppermint essence every two hours reported reduced feeling of hunger.
Cinnamon essential oil
Insulin is an important peptide hormone that enables the body to use sugar (glucose) obtained from consumed carbohydrates for energy or for storage. In other words, this hormone helps the body maintain appropriate levels of blood sugar. When cells in the body stop responding to insulin, the blood sugar levels become unstable and, as a result, chronic fatigue, moodiness, excessive eating, and sugar cravings appear. Fortunately, cinnamon essential oil is capable of heightening insulin sensitivity in the brain and, therefore, correcting this so-called insulin resistance condition.
Cinnamon essential oil, due to its carminative properties, helps the body eliminate excessive gas from intestine and stomach that is compromising your daily fitness routine as well.
Bergamot essential oil
Stress, depression, and anxiety quite often lead to emotional eating that brings temporary satisfaction. However, the feeling of guilt, regret, and self-criticism, affecting the body afterward, only worsens the emotional distress. Luckily, a recent study published in the Forsch Komplementmed Journal proved the bergamot essential oil aromatherapy to be psychologically and physiologically beneficial to the body.
In addition, bergamot essential oil helps the body maintain appropriate metabolic rate by stimulating the hormonal serration, digestive juices, insulin, and bile. These bodily fluids aid digestive system, enable appropriate absorption of nutrients and contribute to the efficient breakdown of sugar.
Fennel essential oil
Fennel essential oil is obtained from the crushed fennel seeds through the process of steam distillation. Distillation safely preserves all of the important chemicals within the seeds including melatonin, a hormone that synchronizes circadian rhythms, especially wake-sleep cycles. Sleep deprivation, as one of the main reasons of rapid weight gaining, can be easily corrected with the fennel essence capable of helping the body establish reliable and restful sleep-wake rhythm.
According to the 2011 study, published in Journal of Pineal Research, melatonin administration may ameliorate overweight and lipid metabolism in humans as well.
In addition, fennel essential oil not only lowers the appetite but also corrects the digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which may be the cause of your bloating, feeling of heaviness, and discomfort.
Ginger essential oil
The therapeutic properties of ginger essential oil come from gingerols, especially [6]-gingerol, the yellow pungent resin of ginger root. As one of 115 different natural components found in ginger, gingerol gives the essential oil capability to treat the gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation and bloating, which may be the reason of your weight fluctuation. Improved digestion will not only give your relief from daily abdomen pain but also help you absorb and assimilate nutrients from your well-balanced diet in a more beneficial manner.
On top of that, gingerols within the ginger are capable of naturally improving diabetes and enhancing insulin sensitivity for more efficient application of glucose within the bloodstream. Resistance to insulin causes diabetes and hormonal obesity.
Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil carries antioxidant ORAC value of 3,300, and the primary chemical responsible for such rich essence formula is carnosol, a phenolic diterpene also found in the mountain desert sage.
The carnosol is capable of balancing androgens and estrogen in the body, especially in the women struggling with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder amongst women who have reached the childbearing age. This hormonal condition lowers the fertility and causes obesity due to the heightened levels of male hormones (androgens), and due to the insulin insensitivity.
If you are struggling with the PCOS that has made your process of losing weight even more difficult, rosemary essential oil will help you balance your hormonal irregularities responsible for accumulated fat in your abdominal area.
Cypress essential oil
Cypress essential oil is a diuretic agent capable of increasing urination, both in frequency and in volume. Speaking of which, up to 4% of urine volume consists of fats that the body simply wants to eliminate. Needless to say, the equation is simple. The more you urinate, the more weight you lose. (Do not exploit this equation, as too much urination may cause electrolyte imbalance!)
Urination, as one of the most important purifying mechanisms of the body, also eliminates toxins, uric acid, and excess water that would otherwise circulate the system or be stored in fat cells
In addition, the cypress essence extracted from young twigs, stems, and needles oil also reduces the appearance of cellulite by simply increasing the blood circulation and by preventing the fluid retention, as well as toxic buildup within the fatty cells right underneath the surface of the skin, where “orange peel syndrome” most commonly appears (thighs, buttocks, and abdomen).
4 Ways to use essential oils + natural weight-loss recipes
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances derived from roots, flowers, leaves, and fruits of plants, which are capable of healing the symptoms of curable and incurable illnesses known to mankind. Due to their often aggressive formula, volatile oils have to be used with caution and great care.
Here are 4 safe ways to use essential oils and attached weight-loss recipes that will help you establish safe and fruitful treatments:
- Using essential oils in bath
Invigorating bath
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 5 drops of ginger essential oil
- 5 drops of orange essential oil
- 5 drops of sandalwood essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together and pour the given blend into warm water.
- Disperse the mixture in water thoroughly.
- Soak in the water.
Metabolism boosting bath
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of jojoba oil
- 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 10 drops of cypress essential oil
- 8 drops of grapefruit essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in exact measurements together and pour the blend into warm water.
- Disperse the mixture in water thoroughly.
- Soak in the water.
- Using essential oils for massages
Fat reducing massage
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of almond oil
- 5 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 5 drops of lemon essential oil
- 5 drops of cypress essential oil
Ingredients:
- In a nonreactive bowl mix all ingredients in exact measurements together to form one homogenous compound.
- With the blend, massage the areas where the fat tends to store.
Anti-cellulite massage
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops of cypress essential oil
- 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops of ginger essential oil
- 5 ounces (104 ml) of carrier oil of your choice
Instructions:
- Mix all essential oils together.
- Add 3.5 ounces of carrier oil to the blend to create 1% essential oil concentration. You can add less carrier oil for stronger massage blend; just remember not to exceed 2% essential oil concentration.
- Apply the massage blend to the areas affected by the cellulite.
- Using essential oils for body wraps
Cellulite removal body wrap
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of grapefruits essential oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops of cypress essential oil
- 2 drops of ginger essential oil
- 5 ounces (104 ml) of coconut oil or any other carrier oil
Ingredients:
- Mix all ingredients together and massage it onto your waist or any other problem area in the upwards direction (towards the heart) to stimulate your lymphatic system.
- Drape your body with a muslin or thin linen (any lightweight cloth will do).
- Wrap the covered area with multiple layers of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic tight enough to keep everything in place.
- Keep the body wrapped for 45 minutes to an hour. During this period of time make sure you drink at least 2 glasses of water to encourage your body to remove all the toxins from the system.
- Diffusing essential oils for weight loss
Appetite suppressing aromatherapy
Ingredients:
- 40 drops of mandarin essential oil
- 20 drops of lemon essential oil
- 12 drops of ginger essential oil
- 12 drops of peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix all essential oils in exact measurements together and store the given mixture into a glass bottle.
- Add a few drops of the created essential oil blend to your diffuser.
Conclusion
Modern media constantly bombards us with anti-cellulite cosmetic products as well as “easy” weight-loss plans, books, and gadgets that may be of help for just the fraction of the population struggling with excessive weight. But what about the rest of us?
We could say that knowledge is sometimes the only asset separating us from success. Understanding your own body and being aware of your health state will simultaneously help you tackle your weight problem in a much more successful manner.
Here are some last safety tips that will help you establish successful weight-loss journey:
- Before introducing new essential oils to your therapy do a skin test patch to make sure you are not allergic to the natural remedy.
- If you have been diagnosed with a skin condition or have other illness that may get compromised by the essential oil, make sure to consult with your medical specialist beforehand.
- Don’t apply essential oil-based treatments to open wounds or cuts on your skin.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your medical specialist about the possible side effects that some essential oil may cause.
- When making massage blends always dilute your essential oils with the carrier oil. The essential oil concentration within the blend should not exceed 2%.
- Cardiac patients should choose their essential oils carefully, as some oils, for instance, peppermint essential oil may increase heart pulse.
Essential oils for weight loss offer countless healing properties capable of treating health irregularities that are making your slimming process more difficult.
Sources and References
- CDC Losing Weight
- Nutrition.gov Weight Management for Youth
- HealthyWeight Healthy Weight Guide
