Aromatherapy for Weight Loss? See How One Woman Lost 22 lbs in 30 Days

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If you love the delicious scents associated with winter, we’ve got great news: There’s now evidence that scents like sage, citrus, peppermint and frankincense can help us quadruple fat loss! “Your sense of smell is hardwired directly to the brain, and an immediate physical response is stimulated when you inhale something,” notes Eric Zielinski, D.C., author of The Essential Oils Apothecary. “You can create a wonderful cascade of benefits.” The doctor often sees people greatly improve overall health and effortlessly drop 10 pounds in 30 days using his essential oil guidelines. As for Florida reader Anita Lesko, 65, “Aromatherapy helped me lose 98 pounds and reverse my diabetes,” she says. Read on for Anita’s inspiring story and to learn how aromatherapy might help you. 

Why aromatherapy works for weight loss

What sets essential oils apart from artificial fragrances is that they’re made by steaming or pressing plant matter like flowers and bark, so they contain no dangerous synthetic chemicals. “When fewer toxins get into the body, it’s better for well-being and also makes it easier to burn fat,” says Dr. Zielinski, known as Dr. Z. He adds that it takes up to 380 pounds of herbs or 100 citrus rinds to make an ounce of essential oil. “So one drop can contain enough bioactive compounds to help us relax, heal and trigger metabolic effects that aid in weight loss.”

Essential oils can be inhaled, eaten or applied to skin. For best results, opt for therapeutic oil ($5 and up at superstores). They must be diluted or used in a well-ventilated area to avoid irritation. Dr. Z likes aromatherapy inhalers (kits on Amazon start at $10). You add 15 to 20 drops of oil to a cotton wick in a small glass tube; the tube fits inside a stainless steel container with a cap. Drop it in your pocket and sniff on the go! Festive scents are a great place to start…

Essential oils for weight loss: Seasonal scents to try

Peppermint oil: curbs hunger and boosts energy

The holiday aroma acts on the brain to increase hormones that make us feel full. Just a whiff of mint once every couple of hours led test subjects to eat 2,800 fewer calories a week, according to a study in the journal Appetite.

A separate study of more than 3,000 overweight people linked using inhalers with peppermint (plus other scents like apple and banana) to losing as much as 18 pounds in a month. “There’s also evidence peppermint oil increases energy,” adds Dr. Z. 

Cinnamon oil: regulates blood sugar

Essential oil made from cinnamon bark is rich in compounds that improve blood sugar and insulin, notes Dr. Z. And as levels normalize, it gets easier for the body to burn fat.

Proof: A University of Miami team found that cinnamon essential oil (in 200-mg capsules taken twice a day for 12 weeks) helped people with prediabetes decrease blood sugar and insulin as they lost nearly an inch from their waist. Dr. Z adds that separate research hints that simply inhaling cinnamon essential oil has similar slimming benefits.

Sage: eases stress and cuts cravings

The herb that flavors traditional turkey and stuffing “helps with our stress response,” says Dr. Z. One test demonstrated that smelling sage oil can slash the stress hormone cortisol by 36 percent in 5 minutes. That translates to far fewer comfort food cravings. Plus, lower cortisol is linked to reduced fat storage.

Citrus oils: target belly fat

“Inhaling grapefruit essential oil has been shown to decrease appetite and stimulate the breakdown of fats, called lipolysis,” says Dr. Z. “It also stimulates thermogenesis, the burning of calories to create body heat.”

In a six-week study, “postmenopausal women who regularly massaged their abdomen with a combination of grapefruit and cypress essential oils showed a decrease in waist size and significantly increased self-esteem.” In fact, they lost four times more belly fat than women who used an unscented oil.

Aromatherapy success story: Anita Lesko’s 98-pound transformation

When Anita was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, her doctor prescribed meds with side effects that scared her. “I set out to find natural ways to get better,” she recalls. The internet inspired her to eat plant-based meals and drink lots of water; and since aromatherapy had long helped Anita manage anxiety, she instinctively added things like citrus and herbs to “boost” her H2O.

Eventually, she read an article about essential oils and weight loss. “A light bulb went off in my head,” says Anita, who sells handmade body-care products at a farmers market. “I realized I could use essential oils to help myself and other people lose weight and keep it off.”

And that’s exactly what she did. Experimenting, she found grapefruit, lemon and peppermint helped most. Adding the essential oils to things like soap, lotion and candles, “it was good for my body and my soul.” “Frankincense is a great scent and one of my favorite essential oils for weight loss,” says Anita. “It helps keep my mood up and gives me a nice energy boost.” So she doesn’t turn to food for comfort or a pick-me-up.

Dr. Z says there’s research to back her up, but that’s not even the most important part. “There’s still so much yet to be discovered about essential oils, so if you’re drawn to a scent, I encourage you to experiment. They key it to find what works for you.”

Anita shed up to 22 pounds in a month and 98 pounds in all. Many of her patrons have slimmed down too. Anita uses aromatherapy daily and has been maintaining her loss for a few years. “It’s still like I have a glowy, newly-in-love-with-life feeling,” she says. “I sure don’t feel my age—I feel like I’m 30!” Check out Anita’s body care products at HammockBaySoap.com. 

How to use aromatherapy for weight loss

To get started, simply add a few drops of oil to a cotton ball and sit it close enough to smell. Dr. Z also likes customizable and portable aromatherapy inhaler tube (kits start at $7 on Amazon). For safely, “stick to 3-4 drops essential oil per application, and wait at least four hours between doses,” he advises. Get your doctor’s okay to try essential oils, as certain oils may cause drug interactions.
Only use diluted essential oil on skin or in food; only consume oil labeled ‘culinary grade.’ We’ve got ideas to inspire you. Learn more in The Essential Oils Apothecary or at NaturalLivingFamily.com.

 DIY scented oil

Mix 2 drops essential oil (such as orange or frankincense) with 1 Tbs. of coconut oil and use as a post-shower moisturizer.

Aromatherapy spritz

To 32 oz. sparkling water, add one drop grapefruit or any essential oil and one optional serving liquid stevia.

 Spiked sauces & dips

Add one drop essential oil (such as lemon, fennel or basil) to dressing, hummus, even pasta sauce

Bonus recipe: Boosted cocoa!

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk, regular or plant

• 1 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 Tbs. allulose or any healthy sweetener to taste

• 2 Tbs. chocolate chips, regular or sugar-free

• 1 drop food-grade peppermint essential oil

Instructions

1. Over medium heat, whisk together milk, cocoa, sweetener and pinch salt until warm.

2. Whisk in chips until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in oil. Garnish and enjoy.

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