TRUessence ESSENTIAL OILS & CIRCULATION

PROVEN CIRCULATION BENEFITS

The impact of essential oils on the human circulatory system can be profound.  Some essential oils have demonstrated the ability to relax blood vessel walls, enabling them to expand, thereby increasing blood flow to tissues.  Other studies have shown that essential oils can help maintain the overall health of the cardiovascular system through controlling plaque which leads to atherosclerosis, and through preventing thrombosis (blood clots).

Increased blood flow
An early study done in Russia in 1983 tested flight controllers with aromas of mint, lavender and anise.  The flight controllers were initially tested at the end of a heavy shift, for mental capacity, blood vessel tension and blood flow in the brain.  Then they went through a 20-day period where their work environment was diffused with aromas of mint, lavender and anise.  At the end of the 20-day test period, subjects were tested again at the end of a heavy shift.  The results showed “adequately increased mental capacity, . . . a diminished tension of the vascular wall and a moderately increased blood content of the vessels.” Another Russian study done in 2004 found that when essential oils were massaged into the neck, there was “a significant improvement of cerebral circulation and functional state of the brain.” This research was done on 100 patients, all of whom had shown signs of brain deterioration due to circulatory problems caused by atherosclerosis.

A  Japanese study done in 2008 found that lavender oil could increase circulation to the heart, just by breathing the aroma.  30 young men between the ages of 24 and 40 years old were asked to inhale lavender vapors for 30 minutes.  Before and after the inhalation period, serum cortisol (as a marker for stress) and coronary blood flow were measured.  Researchers found that after inhaling lavender, serum cortisol significantly decreased, while coronary circulation significantly increased.  They concluded that ‘lavender aromatherapy has relaxation effects and may have beneficial acute effects on coronary circulation.”

Fighting Atherosclerosis
The term ‘atherosclerosis’ means a hardening and/or narrowing of an artery due to the accumulation of plaque that results from the oxidation of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), or bad cholesterol, in the blood.  As the plaque builds, circulation and the ability to increase circulatory volume when needed, decline.  Ultimately, this can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, neuropathy and death.⁴ The term ‘arteriosclerosis’ is a more generic term referring to any type of hardening in the arteries.  Atherosclerosis is specifically hardening of the arteries due to plaque accumulation and is the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases.  The way to prevent atherosclerosis is to reduce the concentrations of oxidized LDL.

Essential oils and their aromatic volatile constituents have shown significant antioxidant activity against LDL oxidation. Essential oils rich in phenols, such as eugenol (clove bud) and thymol (thyme) have the highest antioxidative activity against LDL oxidation, and therefore are most helpful in controlling atherosclerosis.

Additionally, some essential oils have been found to be effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides, which also contribute to the formation of arterial plaque.  Black Cumin was found to decrease both cholesterol and triglycerides ; while oral administration of dill oil was found to reduce triglycerides by nearly 42%. Mint essential oils and basil oil both were shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Anti-thrombotic effects
Thrombosis, or blood clotting, is usually associated with platelet activation.  Prevention of thrombosis is one of the most important targets for the prevention and therapy of many circulatory disorders.  A number of anti-clotting/anti-platelet drugs have been developed, but many have significant side effects such as stomach ulcers, bruising/spontaneous bleeding, and immune system compromise due to insufficient white blood cells.  Certain essential oils—which do not cause any of these side effects—have been shown to be similarly effective in their anti-clotting effects.  Among them are lavender, onion, garlic, and clove.

Copyright © March, 2010 VitalScience.org