It has become increasingly popular to use essential oils in foot soaks to promote relaxation and healing, but do these treatments actually work? In this article, we will separate the facts from fiction when it comes to the purported benefits of foot soaks with essential oils. We’ll discuss the scientific evidence that suggests that these treatments might be beneficial, as well as the potential risks involved. Finally, we’ll provide some tips for safely incorporating foot soaks with essential oils into your routine.
Is it true essential oils can be absorbed through the skin on the feet?
Yes, it is true that essential oils can be absorbed through the skin on the feet. The absorption rate is higher in the feet because the pores are larger and the skin is thicker. This allows for better absorption of the oils into the body. Additionally, the nerves on the bottom of the feet are connected to other parts of the body, which allows the essential oils to travel to those areas more quickly.
Are essential oils effective for pain relief when applied to the feet?
There is no scientific evidence that essential oils are effective for pain relief when applied to the feet. There is some anecdotal evidence that using essential oils on the feet can provide some relief for certain types of pain, but this has not been proven in any clinical trials. Therefore, it is best to use caution when using essential oils on the feet and seek medical advice if there is any concern about the safety of essential oils.
Are essential oils safe for use on the feet?
Yes, essential oils are generally safe to use on the feet. When used properly and in diluted concentrations, essential oils can help to soothe and moisturize the skin. However, caution should be taken when dealing with sensitivities, as some essential oils can cause irritation or other reactions. Additionally, some oils should not be used on children, so be sure to check the safety information for each oil before use.
Is there any scientific evidence to support the myth of using essential oils on feet?
Yes, there is scientific evidence to support the myth of using essential oils on feet. Studies have shown that the application of essential oils on the feet can have a calming effect or can help to reduce pain and inflammation. The essential oils penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, providing therapeutic benefits. In addition, the feet are an area of the body that absorbs essential oils more quickly and deeply than other areas.
Are there any potential side effects associated with using essential oils on feet?
Yes, some people claim that applying essential oils on feet can cause skin irritation, headaches, and nausea. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, using essential oils on feet is a popular practice in aromatherapy and is generally considered safe.
I have always told students that an immediate and very effective form of aromatherapy is inhaling the aromatic molecules. It is a proven, powerful way to deliver the effects on body, mind and spirit. Even when body workers apply a lotion or oil product containing essential oils during a session, both the client and therapist are breathing. As such, both are receiving the effects of inhalation. The question of absorption via the skin has been fairly mysterious and full of controversy for many years. Essential oils can and do affect the skin cells, but do they get into the body via lymph or bloodstream this way? Old research showing lavender in the bloodstream within a half hour after diluted skin application did not factor out inhalation. The case against absorption through the epidermis begins at the uppermost layer, the stratum corneum that is designed to keep things from passing into the body. The other layers do not contain lymph or blood vessels, the reason why a cut needs to pass into the dermis and the subcutaneous layers to produce bleeding. How much of a product that will manage to reach the dermis has also been addressed. Medicinal products relying on skin absorption are frequently applied on areas of thinner epidermal layers, such as the axillary region. One might then assume that this would be true for essential oils, too. Some have suggested that fragrant molecules were more easily absorbed in openings in the skin, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. This gave rise to the idea that applying essential oils often neat to the feet, well known for their ability to sweat, was a potent way to deliver desired properties. However, it appears that pores created by follicles and sweat glands have an exterior directed function and are not really a reliable delivery route. An article posted by Aromatherapy United 2 titled, Myth Apply to Feet, listed some other interesting articles and research about dermal penetration including the following Absorption via the pores and follicles is considered to be insignificant because the orifices account for only 0. Entry, therefore, requires that the xenobiotic have some capability to penetrate cell membranes. Also, the substance must cross several membranes in order to go from one area of the body to another. More recently, researchers studying absorption methods have conducted an experiment to study dermal penetration via the feet. This study was not about essential oils, but sought to investigate an urban myth claiming people could become drunk by submerging their feet in vodka. Despite the clinical approach to reflexology that uses no type of lotion or oil product, I have taught a CE course in the past on aromatic foot massage with reflexology. It combines soothing massage of the feet with aromatic oil, warm moist fragrant towels and some standard reflexology moves. While I agree with the clinical reflexology practitioners that their method is adequate and needs no additions, this class was designed as a spa treatment. Again, my primary idea was that the specifically chosen essential oil aromas would be inhaled by the client and affect desirable changes in that way. The soothing massage would enhance the receptivity of the client, increasing those effects. In practice, this seems to be the case. Please enter a valid email address. Please enter a subject for the email. Share Tweet Share Email. This article has been shared with. An error occured while sharing the link, please try again later.
The world of essential oils is so confusing–its hard to know whats accurate information and whats not. There are so many essential oil myths out there, that it can really make your head spin. Join me as we separate fact from fiction so you can be empowered to make the best decisions when it comes to both buying and using essential oils. In recent years, it seems that everyone and his brother or sister is using essential oils for aromatherapy, therapeutic uses, and to make natural products for their families. However, the information out there about how to use oils and what to buy is so confusing. Companies, essential oil reps, and consumers make claims about how you can know if what you have is REALLY a pure essential oil and they also give out a lot of advice about how to use them. While a lot of them are well meaning, some are not, and are merely out to make a buck or two. Its confusing enough trying to figure out how to use essential oils without all of this nonsense, and frankly, these myths really muddy the waters and make the whole essential oil community seem unethical and illegitimate. Its a real shame, since many people already think that essential oils are a scam , and adding inaccurate information to the mix just makes it more likely to turn people off of something that could be a. So were going to bust the essential oil myths and so that you can be empowered with accurate information as you shop for and use oils.