10 Essential Oils to Support Healthy Weight Management

Kelly and I never cease to be amazed at just how much Young Living Essential Oils can do to support our bodies.  They truly are nature's medicine.  Essential oils can be used to support healthy weight management goals.  

A Magic Pill?

Now, let's be clear…essential oils are not magic pills.  This isn't about you going to eat a bunch of junk food and using Grapefruit oil to ‘undo' those effects.  That won't happen.  But essential oils can be used to support healthy living!

In fact there is only one magic pill.  Do you know what it is?   YOU!  You are the magic pill.  Only through educating yourself, implementing a plan and sticking to it, will you be able to meet your goals.  YOU are the magic pill!

Essential Oils for Weight Management

How can essential oils be used for weight management?  Certain aromas or scents can affect the brain’s satiety center. Chocolate and strong sweet scents can trigger feelings of hunger – which may lead to overeating. Other scents, such as peppermint, can actually curb appetite and create a feeling of fullness or satiety.

Some studies have shown that deeply inhaling the odors of food just prior to eating reduces the amount we eat (source).  Dr. Hirsch suggests that by deeply inhaling the plate of food before starting to eat and eating slowly can provide some of these same benefits. There is a strong connection between aroma and our physical bodies and how aromatics can be used for healthful benefits.

In addition to supporting satiety and aiding in curbing hunger cravings, essential oils may be taken internally (we ONLY recommend using Young Living oils internally as many are labeled as dietary supplements) to support digestion, to maintain energy and to help aid the body in normal detoxification. Essential oils, along with exercise and an overall wellness and nutrition program, can help to aid in weight management and overall health.

Obesogens

Did you know that Americans now spend between 80-90% of their time inside, and that the average American home contains over 63 hazardous products?

From antiperspirants to perfumes to “air fresheners”, we have been unknowingly ingesting and abosrbing chemical compounds that our body is unequipped to deal with. And we trust it because it’s sold at the store.  We breathe in chemical vapors from our household cleaners. We absorb chemicals into our skin as we shower and brush our teeth

Petrochemicals get trapped in the fat cells of the body (which is the body's way of protecting vital organs). Obesogens are the toxic chemicals that encourage fat production (google for more info!).

Toxic chemicals in a variety of products we use in the home also contain endocrine disruptors which can affect your hormones. Your hormones are your body’s biggest regulators for weight and metabolism.  When you hormones are out of whack, your weight can be too.  Sometimes female hormones affected by things like birth control, stress (cortisol), lack of sleep, thyroid dysregulation or menopause which can lead to weight being affected too (even though you aren't doing anything differently). 

But that's not all. Think again of how your sense of smell is tied to the limbic system of your brain. You smell air fresheners, perfumes, etc. – all synthetic fragrances that could alter your brain's satiety center.

Essential Oils for Weight Management

Peppermint

Inhaling peppermint oil can aid in digestion and might curb hunger cravings.  Diffuse throughout the day.  Carry a bottle of peppermint (or put a few drops on a nasal blank) and inhale when needed.  You could also make a peppermint breath spray for this same effect!

Stress Away 

Stress Away is a blend of Vanilla, Lime, Cedarwood, Lavender and Octoea.  It can aid with relaxation, which can help balance the endocrine system.  Vanilla essential oil has also been associated with curbing cravings for sweets.  You can diffuse throughout the day.  Apply the roll on version topically and inhale.  Or add a drop to water or tea and sip!

Ocotea

Ocotea essential oil has a cinnamon-like aroma that may aid in maintaining feelings of fullness and helping with sugar cravings. It also has natural properties that help the body in normal detoxification process.  Add a drop to tea or water.  

Lemon

Lemon is full of d-limonene (google it!) and also may be helpful in breaking down petrochemicals.  I often add a drop of lemon to my daily water!

Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil has similar benefits as lemon essential oil. It may help the body with its normal detoxing, curbing appetite and supporting energy. Grapefruit essential oil can also support a good mood.  I love to diffuse grapefruit for its wonderful aroma.  I also like to add a drop to my daily water!

Citrus Fresh

Citrus Fresh is an energizing essential oil blend that may help support the body’s metabolism, and aid in curbing appetite. It’s a blend of Orange, Tangerine, Lemon, Mandarin, Grapefruit and Spearmint essential oils. The citrus oils are high in the antioxidant d-limonene. Citrus essential oils may help to digest the petrochemicals trapped in the body.  Adding a drop to water or tea is a great way to use Citrus Fresh. 

Lemongrass

Lemongrass essential oil contains high levels of citral, a compound that may support normal thermogenic activity in the body.  Thermogenic activity may be helpful at supporting your metabolism.  Young Living's Lemongrass is labeled as a dietary supplement. 

Slique Essence

Slique Essence is a blend of grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, spearmint, and ocotea with stevia extract in a unique blend that supports healthy weight management goals. These ingredients work together to help control hunger*, especially when used in conjunction with Slique Tea or the Slique Kit. The pleasant citrus combination of grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon essential oils adds a flavorful and uplifting element to any day with the added support of spearmint that may help with digestion.* Ocotea essential oil adds an irresistible, cinnamon-like aroma to help control hunger, while stevia adds an all-natural sweetener that provides a pleasant taste with no added calories.  (You can try the entire Slique line of products from Young Living…teas, bars and more!)

Endoflex

EndoFlex essential oil blend may help to support the endocrine system and maintain overall vitality.  The endocrine system helps to regulate hormones and the metabolism.  Endoflex is a blend of Spearmint, Sage, Geranium, Myrtle, Nutmeg, German Chamomile, and sesame seed oil (a carrier oil).  I like to apply on the VitaFlex points for my adrenal glands and thyroid as well as directly over those areas.  

Lavender

Lavender is a great oil to use to promote restful sleep.  What does sleep have to do with weight management?  Lack of sleep can lead to decreased levels of leptin (a hormone responsible for hunger cravings and feelings of fullness).  People who lack sleep tend to overeat and crave sugary/refined carbohydrate foods.  Diffusing lavender at night and applying topically to neck, feet and other places of the body can help promote a good night sleep!

I hope this helps you learn a bit more about using Essential Oils to support weight management and to help you live a life of optimal wellness!

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