Can essential oils get into the bloodstream?

Author: Dr. Raphael Larson  |  Last update: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Inhalation is arguably the safest means of administering essential oils, and it's the fastest way to get essential oils into your bloodstream. However, it's still critical to use oils with caution, even when diffusing. When diffusing essential oils, always: Diffuse in a well-ventilated area.

What happens when essential oils enter the bloodstream?

The oils circulate through the bloodstream and interact with tissues and cells throughout the body. Eventually the circulating oils must pass through the liver, which is an organ situated in the lower-right side of the thorax, below the ribcage.

What are the symptoms of essential oil poisoning in humans?

What are the symptoms of toxicity?
  • drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, coma (after large ingestion)
  • seizures.
  • persistent cough, gagging/choking, shortness of breath, wheezing.
  • nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • skin irritation (skin exposure)
  • eye redness, irritation or pain (eye exposures).

Does oil get absorbed into blood?

Oils are absorbed through the skin. It is not the impenetrable layer it was once believed to be, it is permeable to certain substances. The skin is composed of several layers, each layer made up of different cells. Within the layers are sebaceous glands, hair follicles, nerves and both blood and lymphatic capillaries.

Can essential oils cross the blood-brain barrier?

Terpenes and terpenoids, the primary constituents of these essential oils are small, lipid soluble organic molecules that can be absorbed through the skin or across nasal mucosa into the systemic blood circulation. Many terpenes can also cross the blood-brain barrier.

Dermal Absorption of Essential Oils | How Do Essential Oils Get Into The Bloodstream

Do essential oils affect the brain?

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin.

What are three items that can cross the blood-brain barrier?

What can get through the BBB?
  • Alcohol.
  • Anesthetics.
  • Antidepressant medications.
  • Anxiolytics (antianxiety medications).
  • Antipsychotic medications.
  • Medications that treat seizures or epilepsy.
  • Caffeine.
  • Acetaminophen and most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What part of the body absorbs essential oils best?

The bottom of your foot has very soft skin, big pores, and no hair – in other words, it's excellent for absorbing essential oils! With little to no obstacles, oils penetrate the skin fast and effectively. There are also over 70,000 nerve endings located in that area, so essential oils can quickly remedy foot pains.

How long does it take for essential oils to leave your system?

The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the type of essential oil, the method of application, and individual metabolism. In general, essential oils can stay in your bloodstream for up to 24 hours.

Does coconut oil get absorbed into the bloodstream?

Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA).

Instead, they are transported in the portal blood to the liver for conversion into energy. This quick conversion process may prevent weight gain as long as the calories consumed as coconut oil do not exceed the body's caloric needs.

What is the most toxic essential oil?

Mugwort, Thyme, Rue and Pennyroyal are toxic and hazardous. A lot of people are susceptible to allergic reactions from certain essential oils which cause no problems to others. As an example, I had a lady who got a severe allergic reaction just with inhalation of the geranium oil.

What is the safest essential oil to diffuse?

Essential oils to be diffused pure
  • Bergamot.
  • Asian rosewood.
  • Roman chamomile.
  • Cardamom.
  • Lemon.
  • Java Lemongrass.
  • Elemi.
  • Frankincense.

Can breathing essential oils be harmful?

Potential risks:

Inhalation of certain essential oils can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. Strong odors, such as those from essential oils, may act as irritants and lead to bronchoconstriction (tightening of the smooth muscles around the airways), coughing, or shortness of breath.

Does massage oil go into your bloodstream?

When you apply oils to your skin, they can enter your bloodstream. Additionally, during a massage, inhaling the aroma of oils can also provide therapeutic benefits. When essential oil molecules are rubbed onto the skin, they are absorbed through the pores and enter the bloodstream to take effect.

Is it OK to take essential oils internally?

Oral use can be dangerous and there is no added benefit over inhalation or application to the skin. Use only in small amounts- formulas for essential oils are given in drops only, do not exceed recommended number of drops.

What to do if you inhale too much peppermint oil?

Treatment may include:
  • Fluids through a vein (by IV)
  • Medicine to treat symptoms.
  • Activated charcoal.
  • Laxative.
  • Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a breathing machine (ventilator)

What do essential oils do in the bloodstream?

Get essential oil molecules quickly into the bloodstream. Directly affect the respiratory system (such as during cold or allergy season) Quickly influence the nervous system (the limbic system and cerebral cortex)

Can you diffuse too much essential oils?

What happens if I add too much oil to my diffuser? Learning how many drops of essential oil in diffuser to use is extremely important. Overexposure to essential oils can lead to some unpleasant side effects like dizziness, red or irritated eyes, and headaches.

How fast do essential oils enter the bloodstream?

Essential oils can enter the bloodstream through absorption into the skin, so the absorption time can vary from person to person. It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour for the oils to reach the bloodstream.

Where do you rub essential oils for anxiety?

Try adding a few drops of oil to unscented body lotion or spritzing an essential oil spray directly onto bedding, a couch or a blanket that you use often. You can even apply some oils directly onto your skin in areas like your wrists, behind your ears, your neck or the bottom of your feet.

Why put essential oils behind ears?

Your skin varies in thickness across your body, and behind the ears is one of the areas where your skin is more permeable or absorbent. This makes it easier for essential oils to get through the layers of skin and into the skin.

Can you put essential oils directly on your body?

Roll directly on your skin

You can also reap the benefits by applying essential oils to your skin, where it's absorbed into your body. But Dr. Lin cautions against directly applying most essential oils to your skin without diluting them.

What are the symptoms of a damaged blood-brain barrier?

Such changes may cause persistent neurological impairments such as cognitive problems, memory dysfunction, sleep disorder, depression and anxiety, depending upon the regions of brain afflicted with such changes.

What Cannot enter the blood-brain barrier?

Most proteins in the plasma are not able to cross the blood—brain barrier because of their size and hydrophilicity. Consequently, concentrations of plasma proteins in the brain are very low (Table 32-1).

Does Benadryl cross the blood-brain barrier?

Clinical experience suggests that these medications are generally well tolerated in children. First-generation drugs (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, chlorpheniramine) cross the blood–brain barrier and bind to H1 receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).

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