How Essential Oils Work: The Science Behind the Scent
At Jara, we love the ritual of using essential oils—the grounding breath, the calm they bring, the way they can shift a mood or set the tone for your day. But there’s more to it than just good smells. Essential oils work because there’s real science behind them.
Whether you’re diffusing lavender before bed or rolling on eucalyptus when you’re congested, you’re tapping into the natural chemistry of plants—and how those compounds interact with your body and brain.
So let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, but still gives credit to how powerful these oils really are.
What Are Essential Oils, Scientifically Speaking?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that contain volatile aromatic compounds—things like terpenes, esters, and aldehydes. These compounds are what give each plant its unique scent and its therapeutic properties.
For example:
Linalool (found in lavender) helps calm the nervous system.
Menthol (found in peppermint) cools the skin and clears the sinuses.
1,8-Cineole (found in eucalyptus) supports respiratory function and fights inflammation.
These compounds aren’t just aromatic—they’re bioactive, meaning they actually interact with your body in measurable ways.
How Essential Oils Enter the Body
There are three main ways essential oils work with your body:
1. Inhalation (Aromatherapy)
When you breathe in an essential oil, the scent molecules travel through your nose to your olfactory system, which is directly connected to your limbic system—the part of your brain that deals with emotions, memories, mood, and even behavior.
That’s why certain oils can make you feel calm (lavender), alert (peppermint), or uplifted (lemon) almost immediately. Your brain responds to the chemical messages sent by the oil molecules—no pills or processing required.
2. Topical Absorption
Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin when applied in diluted form (like in a roll-on). Once absorbed, they enter the bloodstream and interact with tissues, muscles, and even cells.
Because essential oils are lipid-soluble (meaning they mix with fats), they pass through the skin’s outer layer more easily than many synthetic products. That’s part of why you feel relief quickly when applying peppermint oil to sore muscles or tea tree oil to a blemish.
3. Indirect Ingestion (Not Recommended Without Guidance)
We don’t recommend ingesting essential oils unless you’re working with a certified clinical aromatherapist or healthcare provider. Essential oils are incredibly potent, and misuse can be harmful. That said, trace exposure through things like oil-infused honey, teas, or oral care products is becoming more common in holistic medicine settings.
What Happens After Essential Oils Enter the Body?
Once essential oil molecules are in your body (whether inhaled or absorbed), they start interacting with systems like:
The nervous system (to calm or stimulate)
The immune system (some oils have antimicrobial properties)
The endocrine system (affecting hormones and stress levels)
The integumentary system (aka your skin—supporting healing, hydration, or inflammation)
Each oil targets different systems depending on its chemical makeup. That’s why a blend of oils often works better than one single oil—they support the body in multiple ways at once.
The Mind-Body Connection
The beauty of essential oils is that they don’t just support physical health—they’re also powerful emotional and mental allies. Because of their connection to the brain’s emotional center, oils can help:
Shift your mood
Ground your thoughts
Trigger memory and mindfulness
Encourage rest and regulation
It’s subtle but powerful. And when used regularly, these effects compound into real, lasting wellness.
Final Thoughts: Nature Meets Neuroscience
At Jara, we believe in bridging ancient wisdom with modern understanding. Essential oils are more than just tradition—they’re backed by science, and they work with your body, not against it.
That’s why we take sourcing, purity, and intentional use seriously. Because when you understand how these oils interact with your system, you begin to use them not just as a feel-good moment—but as a lifestyle practice that supports long-term well-being.
Curious about which oils support your system best? Reach out to us—we’re happy to help guide you toward blends that match your goals, whether that’s focus, immunity, calm, or sleep.
— Henry Claus
Co-Founder, Jara
