Essential oils are being used increasingly often in clinical and casual settings alike. Thanks to companies such as Young Living and DoTerra, they are making their way into countless homes, providing uses as diverse as cleaning agents and internal medicine.

Although the effects of ingesting and directly applying essential oils are not well studied, the effects of aromatherapy have been thoroughly studied and do show promise in treating numerous illnesses and chronic conditions.

Essential Oils and Diabetes

Essential oils can benefit diabetes in many ways, including both direct and indirect diabetes assistance. The most common use for essential oils in diabetes patients is to manage or avoid diabetes complications such as mood disruptions and blood pressure levels. Despite the common uses, one study found that a specific combination of scents resulted in dramatically different blood sugar readings in animals.

Essential oils create a chemical response in the brain through your olfactory glands, which then travels to your bloodstream. For some oils such as lavender and cedarwood, you will experience a relaxed effect. When using eucalyptus oil, you might notice a breakup of mucus. Whatever your needs are, there is likely to be an essential oil to suit you.

4 Aromatherapy Benefits

#1. Reducing High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is often caused by anxiety and anger, leading to a prolonged, chronic state and culminating in an increased risk of heart disease. Calming essential oils such as lavender and wood-scented oils (cypress, pine) can help regulate your anxiety levels and allow a gradual reduction in blood pressure.

#2. Improving Mood and Motivation

Citrus oils are particularly helpful for boosting mood and motivation. Diffusing lemon or orange oil can help inspire motivation and positivity, and is great for diabetes patients with a tendency toward mood disorders or difficulty concentrating.

#3. Improving Digestion

Peppermint has long been hailed as a wonderful way to ease an upset stomach, and essential oils are no different. Diffusing peppermint oil can relieve nausea and sickness sometimes caused by blood sugar rises and falls. Many essential oil brands have specific blends to help aid a wavering digestive tract.

#4. Lowering Blood Sugar

In an animal test, researchers administered a blend of fenugreek, cumin, cinnamon, and oregano. They discovered a marked decrease in blood glucose levels among the study’s participants, making essential oils a potentially exciting next step in diabetes treatment.

Although essential oils are not a cure-all for your ailments, they do have some promise in the search to mitigate the negative effects diabetes has on the body.