Be more than “essentially” healthy
- vitamentalitywelln
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
In recent years, the trend of using essential oils to enhance your health has become a pretty popular trend. These oils are highly concentrated extracts from different plants that are used in aromatherapy or topically for various conditions. The oils capture the plant’s scent and flavour (otherwise known as its “essence”). They are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a product that’s ready and safe for use.
There are dozens of oils and many blends of these oils out there, but a few are especially beneficial for the human gut, with several approaches for application and use. Many essential oils are helpful if you are looking for fast-acting results, such as symptom relief and antimicrobial effects. This kind of effect matches well with gut health concerns and is amplified as part of a multi-pronged approach to healing the gut. While your diet and lifestyle are imperative, it is often also worth working with a holistic healthcare professional to maximize your natural efforts using essential oils.
If you want the best results, try to integrate the essential oils into the rest of your whole-body approach to wellness… so things like eating a nutrient-dense diet, breathing clean air, drinking fresh filtered water and getting enough movement are other critical steps toward better health.
If your goal is gut health in particular, certain DIY essential oil blends can pair very nicely with probiotics (which are an absolutely vital component of intestinal healing and balance). They are also often used alongside digestive enzymes to maximize digestion improvement.
Here are some ways to use essential oils for improved gut health:
1. Internal Use – try using capsules when you need the oil to make it to the stomach rather than the mucous membranes of the esophagus. If the oil is specifically for the intestines, enteric-coated capsules are necessary, which protect the capsule so that it does not break down until it gets where it needs to in your body.
The important thing to remember for capsule creation is that the oils should still be diluted as an extra precaution. You still only need 2-3 drops at a time, so most of the capsule should be comprised of some type of carrier oil. Very small capsules tend to be my favourite.
Note: Some oils are not safe to take internally. Medicinal use of oils should always be executed in proper dosing, with knowledge of contraindications and safe usage. Seek guidance or further education before creating and using capsules, or a pre-formulated, pre-dosed essential oil supplement.
Optimal situations for capsule use: indigestion, nausea, IBS, GERD, dysbiosis, with supervision by an integrative care professional. (Note: Peppermint oil could make GERD worse and is not recommended for this specific condition)
Optimal oils for capsule use: peppermint, clove, ginger, oregano, tea tree, thyme. (Choose 2 to 3 oils at a time, and mix up your protocol every couple of weeks)
Carrier options: coconut, almond, sesame, apricot kernel, avocado, castor, evening primrose, jojoba, sunflower, pumpkin seed, neem, hemp seed, hazelnut, and borage seed
2. Topical Use – the soothing effects of aromatherapy are translated well into massages, and even an upset tummy can be eased with a topical application. If you keep a diluted blend or two on hand, you can quickly grab it and apply it when needed.
Dilute oils to 1 to 3% of the total volume into a carrier oil of your choice. Favorites include coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba, and avocado oil. Do remember that if the coconut oil is exposed to temperatures below the mid-seventies, it will solidify. Fractionated coconut oil is an option if you’d like it to remain liquid and other carriers are unavailable.
Optimal oils for topical use: peppermint, ginger, caraway, coriander, *fennel, anise, tarragon, thyme or citrus
Optimal situations for topical use: indigestion, constipation, stomach aches, and nausea
Word of Caution: *Fennel oil (Foeniculum vulgare) contains the estrogenic compound Trans Anethole. This raises obvious concerns for people with estrogen dominance and estrogen-positive cancer. Also, “estragole, a main component of vulgare has become a cause of concern, as the structurally similar methyleugenol has been recently found to be a potential carcinogen. This has led to the European Union (EU) to allow a new legal limit for estragole of 10 mg/kg in non-alcoholic beverages”
3. Inhalation – don’t let a pretty scent fool you! Aromatherapy is powerful, transferring the oil’s composition to your body simply by inhaling it. Inhalation is actually one of, if not the most, effective ways to administer the benefits of essential oils.
We are most familiar with diffusion, but essential oils for digestive health can be inhaled much more directly for the person who is experiencing tummy trouble or gut concerns. A couple of drops in a bowl of hot water becomes an instant personal steamer if you “tent” a towel over and inhale. Jewelry or clothing can hold a drop or two for a more lasting personal source to inhale, and aroma sticks can fit in pockets or purses for easy, portable access. The easiest method? Simply open the bottle and sniff!
Optimal oils for inhalation: citrus, ginger, fennel, peppermint, clove, cinnamon or anything else you can dream up!
Optimal situations for inhalation: nausea, stomach ache
(Note: It is recommended to avoid hot oils like cinnamon and clove in steam inhalations so as not to irritate the sinus passages.)
Oils for gut health
Certain oils have an affinity for helping the gut, and I want to share my favourites with you this weekend, as it is Easter and for many people that can mean overeating and the resulting tummy aches. Try using these oils as a preventative or a solution to heal your gut after a weekend of overindulgence.
Thyme & Rose – In a study released earlier this year, researchers found that the primary constituents of thyme and rose oil (thymol and geraniol, respectively) “could be effective in suppressing pathogens in the small intestine, with no concern for beneficial commensal colonic bacteria in the distal gut”
Cardamom – Both anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, cardamom essential oil is soothing and related to the gingerroot family has been associated with many digestive health benefits, including gastroprotective effects
Peppermint – Cool and soothing, peppermint oil has been shown to improve IBS, one of the most common disruptors for gut health when taken in a professional grade, enteric-coated, commercial supplement
Clove – As an oil with some of the most eugenol, clove essential oil is an efficient antimicrobial that can counter Candida albicans overgrowth. Its effects against the yeast are effective to the point that an over-the-counter internal preparation is being studied using clove oil
Tea Tree & Oregano – A powerful duo, tea tree and oregano essential oils are the case-in-point for anti-bacterial as a beneficial component, compared against harsher, synthetic, or toxic anti-bacterials. Use them in DIY cleaners to help stop the spread of viral illnesses without attempting to bleach away the good with the bad
Fennel – Used as a digestive stimulant in whole-herb form, fennel essential oil retains some of the soothing components for the gut as an antispasmodic, likely connected to the estragole content. This component is also found in fennel. Aromatherapy and diluted topical use are very popular, but since estragole has been monitored for potential toxicity internally some recommend against ingesting it
Always be mindful when you are using essential oils and never continue using any that cause you discomfort. You can always ask your doctor or call Telehealth if you have any questions.
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