A good approach to weight loss is one that is holistic. Consider taking a whole body approach. And this is why essential oils for weight loss can effectively support your overall efforts.
It isn’t enough to simply count calories or do a few push ups. The more you support your overall wellbeing, the more likely you will be to see results.
Aromatherapy is part of a natural approach to weight loss.
These oils support everything else you do with diet and exercise. You don’t use them instead of a healthy diet. You use them to get the most out of your other healthy habits.
Related reading: 4 Mindset Shifts to Help You Lose Weight Naturally
Why essential oils for weight loss
When you work to shed the pounds, you need to look beyond diet and exercise.
There are many factors that influence whether or not you’ll succeed.
Everything from your metabolism, to your hormones, to your quality of sleep and stress levels matter.
A natural approach to weight loss addresses the whole body and helps you get into a place of balance.
Aromatherapy has been used as a healing protocol for thousands of years. But we still are learning more of its benefits.
History of aromatherapy for weight loss
We are just at the beginning of understanding the full power of essential oils for weight loss.
However, there is already much research showing its benefits.
For instance, a 2007 study looked at aromatherapy massage and how it can bolster weight loss.
Study participants had an essential oil massage every week. Additionally, they were to massage their own abdomens with essential oils twice every day.
The participants who used essential oils saw reductions in abdominal subcutaneous fat and waist circumference that exceeded the loss of those in the test group.
Which essential oils to lose weight
If you want to try this natural approach to weight loss, there are many oils to try. Here are a few that you’ll want to consider.
Lavender – Everyone loves lavender oil. It smells terrific and is very relaxing.
And it can help your stress less which can help you from stress eating. Plus, it will help you sleep better, which will give you more energy to stick with your exercise routine.
Lime – This essential oil is antibacterial and antifungal. And it’s also good for weight loss. Lime may help you shed pounds. In fact, one study shows lime may not just help you lose weight, it may promote eating less. Which makes it helpful in more than one way.
Lemon – This oil can help put you in a good mood. And that will help improve your attitude towards your diet. And lemon may also support a healthy digestive system and help your body break down fat.
Peppermint Oil – This oil boosts detoxification and is anti-inflammatory. This is important because when you experience inflammation, your metabolism may slow. So this essential oil can help repair a sluggish metabolism.
Grapefruit – Throughout history, the grapefruit diet has been popular. And this aromatherapy oil has all the weight loss benefits of the actual fruit. Specifically, it may help you break down body fat as well as give a boost to your metabolism.
How to use essential oils for weight loss
Now that you see how beneficial aromatherapy can be as a natural approach to weight loss, you’ll surely want to give it a try. But if you’re new to essential oils, or if you’ve only used them for fun, you might not be sure where to start. Here are a few things to try.
- Place an oil in a spray bottle. You can easily create a mist by combining your favorite oils with a carrier oil. Try coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. Add in a few drops of your oil and spray it into your room.
- Put it in a diffuser. This is another way to create a beneficial mist of essential oils. You can add some of your favorite oil to water. Plug in your diffuser and you should be good to go.
- Use an essential oil necklace – These necklaces help keep your favorite essential oil scent close. Just place a drop or two of your favorite. And now you’ll breath in the health benefits all day!
- Rub it in your hands – You don’t always need a device to smell your favorite oil. Sometimes the simple oil can be the best. For a quick pick-me-up, spray a drop onto your hands or wrists. Now place your hands over your face and take a calming breath.
Hints for effective aromatherapy
Now you’re ready to start using essential oils to support a healthy weight. Here are a few final tips to get the most out of your new regimen.
- Always use a carrier oil when doing an essential oil massage. Pure essential oils can be difficult on the skin.
- Be careful before ingesting any oil. Not all oils are healthy to consume. Proceed with caution before taking in any oil orally.
- Make essential oils part of your routine. These oils aren’t a quick fix. Use them regularly to help support your body over time.
- Don’t forget about diet and exercise. Essential oils can’t substitute for an overall healthy lifestyle. Remember, they are there to support your other weight loss efforts, not replace them.
