Utilizing aromatherapy for weight loss

Two essential oils that I would recommend to assist with weight loss would be Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi), and Peppermint (Mentha x piperita). Both essential oils are bright and invigorating - Grapefruit with its citric tang & Peppermint with its menthol-cool freshness.



Grapefruit essential oil is known as a 'happy' oil due to its uplifting qualities and is liked by children for this reason; it is said to improve concentration and self-confidence. It is considered to be anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, detoxifying, anti-depressant, immune boosting, skin-toning and mentally rejuvenating. It is used in aromatherapy spa treatments to improve lymphatic drainage and to ease muscle stiffness, by dispersing lactic acids. It is also used as an aid to weight loss.

Per Grapefruit essential oil studies:

we observed that olfactory stimulation with scent of grapefruit oil (SGFO) enhances sympathetic nerve activities and suppresses gastric vagal (parasympathetic) nerve activity (GVNA), increases plasma glycerol concentration and body temperature, and decreases appetite in rats.

In other words - sniffing grapefruit essential oil can result in decreased appetite. In addition, if you like the smell of the oil, you will release endorphins when you sniff the grapefruit essential oil, and this can create a new neuropathway and a new habit to replace the old habit of snacking when hungry because you are bored or stressed.

Here is another interesting study done regarding Grapefruit essential oil:

Effect of aromatherapy massage on abdominal fat and body image in post-menopausal women

Department of Nursing, Wonkwang Health Science College, Korea. jm8711@naver.com

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of aromatherapy massage on abdominal fat and body image in post-menopausal women. METHOD: A Non-equivalent control group pre-post test Quasi-experimental design of random assignment was applied. All subjects received one hour of whole body massage as treatment by the same researcher every week for 6 weeks. Participants also massaged their own abdomen two times everyday for 5 days each week for 6 weeks. The two groups used different kinds of oil. The experimental group used 3% grapefruit oil, cypress and three other kinds of oil. The control group used grapeseed oil. Data was collected before and after the treatment using Siemens Somatom Sensation 4, a tape measure and MBSRQ. Data was analyzed by ANCOVA using the SPSS/PC+Win 12 Version. RESULT: Abdominal subcutaneous fat and waist circumference in the experimental group significantly decreased after aromatherapy massage compared to the control group. Body image in the experimental group was significantly better after aromatherapy massage than in the control group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Aromatherapy massage could be utilized as an effective intervention to reduce abdominal subcutaneous fat, waist circumference, and to improve body image in post-menopausal women.

I use grapefruit, cypress, and fennel essential oils in a synergy blend to detox - so I am not surprised at the results of this study. One word of caution - grapefruit oil does contain furocoumarins, which are responsible for phototoxic effects, so be VERY careful when applying this oil to the skin - dilute to not more then 3% and do not go out into the sun for at least 8 hours after application.




Pepperment has been proven in studies to aid in digestive issues, such as IBS. When dieting - I think that is quite useful. A cup of peppermint tea will help to settle the tummy, and give a lift, instead of munching on sugar-laden treats that while they give a quick lift - and then a crash!

Peppermint has also been shown to fight sleepiness (I always travel with it in my car especially for long trips).

In addition, research published in 2001 in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that inhalation of peppermint increased athletic performance (fitness, strength & endurance) in human volunteers. Another research study at the Wheeling Jesuit University by Bryan Raudenbush and colleagues found that peppermint improved productivity and pain tolerance.

Which is wonderful if you are dieting - you will need the extra boost to get you going on your exercise and to be able to tolerate the aches and pains associated with your new habits. ;-)

So try sniffing grapefruit & peppermint essential oils when dieting - I think you will be glad you did!