Over the years, people have doubted the effectiveness of aromatherapy weight loss remedies. More recently, though, scientists have studied the relationship between weight loss and the sense of smell. And they've reached some interesting conclusions.
So... Can you use aromatherapy home remedies for weight loss? The short answer is "Yes".
This is not to say that aromatherapy is a "magic bullet" or instant weight loss cure - there is no such thing. But aromatherapy can be a valuable part of a healthy, sensible weight loss program.
Aromatherapy weight loss home remedies do two things: They can help manage cravings and feelings of hunger, and they can also address some contributors to weight issues such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Research shows that appetite and the sense of smell are closely connected. In fact, studies have found that our sense of smell actually triggers feelings of fullness before our stomach does.
Aromatherapy home remedies to lose weight work like this:
When you inhale an essential oil, its microscopic molecules directly affect a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. An area inside the hypothalamus called the "satiety center" controls feelings of hunger/fullness.
The satiety center 'reads' certain essential oil molecules as a signal that you are full. And the good news is, this happens much faster than your brain gets the signals from your stomach telling you you're full - so you feel full sooner!
The most well-known essential oil for weight loss is Grapefruit.
Bergamot, Clary Sage, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Vanilla and Ylang Ylang are some other appetite-suppressing essential oils for weight loss.
The trick to using these essential oils to curb your cravings and suppress your appetite is to inhale the appetite-suppressing essential oil for at least five minutes. Inhaling for less than five minutes can actually stimulate your appetite - not good!
Use this handy aromatherapy inhaler any time you feel a craving come along. Carry it in your bag, keep one in your desk, your kitchen... wherever it will do the most good.
Pour a teaspoon of coarse sea salt in a very small dark glass or PET plastic bottle and add one of the following blends:
30 drops Grapefruit essential oil
4 drops Lemon essential oil
1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil
20 drops Peppermint essential oil
10 drops Bergamot essential oil
4 drops Spearmint essential oil
1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil
15 drops Basil essential oil
15 drops Marjoram essential oil
1 drop Oregano essential oil
1 drop Thyme essential oil
To use your aromatherapy weight loss inhaler, take three long, slow, deep breaths of the aroma. Take a short break, then take three more deep breaths. Do this three times. Sniff long and hard through each nostril. Really flood your nose with scent - in this case, more is better!
Use the inhaler before eating and whenever your appetite is triggered. Scientific studies show that the more often you inhale essential oils for weight loss throughout the day, the more effective it will be.
Some studies suggest that aromatherapy is more effective for weight loss if you change up the scents every day. You might try making an aromatherapy weight loss inhaler with each of the essential oil blends above, and then use Citrus on Monday, Mint on Tuesday, Herb on Wednesday and so on.
Aromatherapy can help overcome food addiction, especially when we eat for comfort. Instead of eating to stuff down our stress, anger, boredom, depression, anxiety or other feelings, we can use aromatherapy to help change our emotional state.
Try using Vanilla essential oil to connect with feelings of security, home and comfort. You might find that inhaling its sweet scent replaces your urge to eat that cookie or doughnut.
You can also try Cocoa Absolute, the sweet, rich essence of chocolate. Again, you may find that its smell replaces the need to actually eat a chocolate bar or brownie.
It's so easy to reach for a slice of pizza or a box of cookies (my personal vice) when stress is shredding our nerves. But when it comes to weight loss, you're better off reaching for some massage oil or bath salts instead.
We all need to give ourselves permission to 'get off the ride', lock the door and spend some time taking care of ourselves. When we're calmer and more rested, we have the capacity to respond more positively to the stressors in our lives - and that includes meeting the challenge of achieving our weight loss goals.
Click on the links below for some really lovely (and effective) stress-reducing aromatherapy recipes.
Want to find recipes with a certain weight loss essential oil in them? Use the Search Box below.
For example, type in "grapefruit" (without the quotes) and hit Search. Every page on this website that includes the word Grapefruit will pop up. Poke through them and decide what recipe to try next.
(There's a wonderful grapefruit perfume which not only smells great and helps with weight loss but also makes you seem younger - gotta look for that one!)