Skinny Pants

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Commonly used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, grapefruit oil has a sweet, crisp, and uplifting aroma.

What it Does

• Curbs cravings
• Boosts metabolism
• Increases energy and endurance
• Reduces abdominal fat accumulation

Why it Works

Grapefruit contains nootkatone, a natural chemical compound. Nootkatone stimulates a specific enzyme (AMPK to be precise) that controls the body’s energy levels and metabolic rate. When nootkatone is introduced into the system, AMPK accelerates chemical reactions in the tissues of the brain, liver, and skeletal muscle. Research on the interactions between nootkatone and AMPK have resulted in increased endurance, reduced weight gain and a decrease in body fat, as well as improved physical performance.

In another study lab rats were exposed to grapefruit oil three times per week for 15-minute intervals. The outcome: reduced appetite and weight loss. It is thought that limonene – grapefruit’s primary component – induces lipolysis, the process whereby body fat and protein is broken down and dissolved.               

Lemon Essential Oil

Cold pressed from the peel, lemon oil has a clean pick-me-up scent with slightly sour overtones.

What it Does

• Suppresses weight gain
• Increases energy
• Enhances mood
• Relieves pain

Why it Works

Lemon also contains the fat-dissolving powers of limonene. Supporting the findings of the aforementioned grapefruit oil study, researchers found that lemon oil used in conjunction with grapefruit oil increased lipolysis.

As a mood booster, lemon oil is a particularly powerful treatment for alleviating negative feelings. It also raises norepinephrine levels, a stress hormone and neurotransmitter that is responsible for the fight-or-flight mechanism. Consequently, norepinephrine increases oxygen in the brain for better cognitive function and ramps up heart rate and blood flow which allows muscles to work faster and better.

Aches and strained muscles may prevent you from keeping up with your workout routine, but lemon oil has yet another viable function as a pain reliever. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Fresh, minty, and quite intense, peppermint oil contains menthol which has a calming and cooling effect.

What it Does

• Increases energy and mental alertness
• Elevates mood
• Aids digestion
• Reduces appetite

Why it Works

Containing up to 70% menthol, peppermint has been used medicinally for centuries to treat indigestion. Peppermint oil is an effective muscle relaxer, and when used along with caraway oil, it was found to ease the muscles of the stomach, reduce bloating, and improve the flow of bile – which allows food to pass through the body faster.

In an experiment pitting peppermint oil against ylang-ylang, researchers discovered that volunteers who inhaled the peppermint aroma were more alert, had improved memory function, and were calmer in mood.

Peppermint oil is also a natural appetite suppressant. In a 2008 study titled Effects of Peppermint Scent on Appetite Control and Caloric Intake, participants who inhaled peppermint oil every two hours reported lower hunger levels and consumed “significantly fewer” calories.                                          

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Derived from the inner bark or leaves of the Cinnamomum tree, cinnamon essential oil has a warm and sweet fragrance.

What it Does

• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Regulate blood sugar levels
• Reduce inflammation

Why it Works

Insulin is the hormone responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates and fat by facilitating the absorption of blood glucose by either converting it to energy or storing it as fat. When cells in the body stop responding to insulin – a condition called insulin resistance – the body erroneously begins to store fat instead of burning it, resulting in not only weight gain but also in difficulty losing weight. Leading to high blood sugar and elevated blood insulin levels, it is a precursor for Type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon extract, however, has been shown to help heighten insulin sensitivity in the brain and increase the rate of blood glucose uptake.

Up to 25% of Americans are affected by metabolic syndrome, a confluence of disorders that include impaired glucose tolerance, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood cholesterol. Certain inflammatory cells have been identified in the body fat of genetically obese people; cinnamon extract has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the production of these molecules, which could be an important factor for preventing weight gain in the first place.                                                                             

Bergamot Essential Oil

The aroma profile of the bergamot orange is a complex blend with sweet, tangy, and spicy notes.

What it Does

• Boosts mood
• Increases energy

Why it Works

Anxiety and depression can sometimes lead to emotional eating, and while this may bring about a temporary sense of comfort and relief, eventually it piles on even more negative emotions like guilt and self-criticism.

Bergamot oil offers a pleasant way to break this vicious cycle. A recent study examined the effects of just 15 minutes of bergamot oil aromatherapy. Not only did the study’s participants self-report improved positive emotions and increased energy, but researchers discovered that bergamot oil had an instant physiological benefit. To measure stress more objectively, they took saliva samples and tested them for cortisol – a hormone that is released as a stress response – and found that those who inhaled bergamot oil had much lower cortisol levels than those who did not.                                                             

 Apply to loose skin or cellulite for firmer looking skin.        
Topical use:  Apply one to two drops to desired area. Blend is already diluted in coconut oil