The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you burn off. All of the various diets and weight loss schemes are based upon this fact.
But it’s possible that essential oils can play a role in your overall weight loss goals. Here’s why.
Essential Oils for Losing Weight
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Lately, grapefruit essential oil, as well as other aromatics, are being promoted as an easy way to shed pounds. That’s because it’s possible that breathing these aromatics may help suppress the appetite. Although more studies are needed, early research indicates there’s some validity to this idea.
One of the most intriguing findings was a study published in the December 24, 2011 edition of Phytotherapy Research. Mice that were treated with lime oil didn’t gain weight, despite the fact they were given a drug that causes weight gain.
Can Essential Oils Make You Lose Weight?
It’s possible that using essential oils can help curb our desire to eat because we’re bored or depressed. That because it’s been demonstrated that essential oils can affect our mood, in a positive way.
One of the few mainstream medical providers that recognizes this connection is the University of Maryland Medical Center. Its website notes that certain aromatics, such as lavender, rose, orange and lemon are known to relieve anxiety.
Grapefruit Essential Oil Weight Loss Results
Also, a popular British newspaper quoted aromatherapist Eugeny Couture as saying it makes “total sense” that essential oils can help us shed unwanted pounds. She also noted that aromatics can “enhance our mood.”
Online health expert Dr. Josh Axe, DC, also recommends grapefruit essential oil if you want to shed a few unwanted pounds. He said to apply this topically, so it will work as a diuretic and lymph system stimulant. He also suggests using this aromatic, along with patchouli essential oil, to help curb the appetite.
Best Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Grapefruit and other citrus oils seem to be the most widely recommended aromatics for people trying to shed a few pounds. Others, including peppermint and geranium oil, are often used to help with temporary bloating. One time, I put diluted geranium oil on the inside of my wrist, because I wanted to use it as a mental pick-me-up. The next day, my stomach was so flat that it looked as if I’d been doing abdominal exercises.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor. So I can’t offer medical advice or promise that any particular essential oil you see on this page will help you drop weight. All I can do is share information about what’s already been published on essential oils and weight loss.
Essential Oil Blend for Weight Loss
If you already own one or more citrus oils, you may want to try inhaling them when you’re hungry, to see if they help suppress your appetite. You can also use them for massage, on a daily basis, whether you’re craving food at that particular time or not.
Another option would be to buy a specific essential oil blend designed for appetite control, such as the Munchy Stop Synergy Blend shown here. It contains bergamot (a citrus oil), as well as grapefruit, fennel, patchouli, sandlewood, ylang ylang and dill.
Which Essential Oils are Good for Appetite Suppressant?
This blend is made by Plant Therapy, a company I discovered a few years ago. This is when I decided I needed to step away from the multilevel marketing networks. I was totally blown away by the quality and affordability of Plant Therapy oils, which I consider to be one of the best options to the high-priced MLM networks.
Each batch of Plant Therapy oil is thoroughly tested for purity and potency. One of these tests is run by an independent lab.
How to Use Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Word seems to be getting out that essential oils may be useful if you want to shed a little weight. But one thing makes me really nervous, I often see people online (who sell these oils) telling others to ingest them for weight loss. This is terrible advice. That’s because essential oils should only be consumed if you’re working with medical professional, who has experience with this practice.
Essential oils are highly concentrated. That’s why we need to use them correctly. It’s been said that just one drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to 15 to 70 cups of herbal peppermint tea, which no one would drink in one sitting. Blanket advice to ingest essential oils doesn’t take into account the fact that an individual may be highly sensitive, and suffer a potentially serious reaction.
Essential Oils for Appetite Control
A much better way is to use essential oils for inhalation or massage. If you plan to put an aromatic oil directly on your skin, it needs to be diluted in a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil. Very little aromatic oil (only about 3 drops) is needed for every teaspoon of carrier oil.
You can also reap the benefits of essential oils by diffusing them. (This is also a great non-toxic way to make your house smell great.) If you don’t own an essential oil diffuser, here are some popular and attractive models.
Cool Mist Essential Oil Diffuser
Decorative Essential Oil DiffuserWood Base Aromatherapy Diffuser
For More Reading
Research on Lime Essential Oil
British Aromatherapist on Essential Oils and Weight Loss
Losing Weight With Real Food
I don’t want to leave anyone with the mistaken impression that you’ll shed pounds with essential oils alone. A healthy diet is first and foremost. You need to consume fewer calories than you will burn.
That’s why eating good nutritious meals is a must. If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend looking into Real Plans for a month or two. This is a meal planning service that makes it easy to eat right. Each week you receive a shopping list, along with real food recipes. You only need to shop once a week. You have all the ingredients on hand, so you can prepare delicious meals at home. This should make calorie-laden takeout food less of a temptation. For more information, click on the image below.
Can Essential Oils Help in Weight Loss?
Diffuser necklaces work great also. I have one that I put just a couple of drops of grapefruit essential oil in and it lasts all day.
Kim, that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I love the smell of grapefruit oil. At some point in time I’m going to publish a post on how to make your own diffuser necklace.
Fennel is a great appetite suppressant, whether you eat the actual seeds or use the oil in a diffuser or massage.
(Soldiers in war used to eat the fennel seeds to curb hunger)
I never knew that about soldiers. So interesting. I love fennel. I use fennel seeds in a sausage potato dish and they’re so good, and good for you. Medieval herbalist Saint Hildegard of Bingen thought fennel was good for everyone.