Newsletters » Habituation
Habituation
Occasionally, with the long-term use of the same essential oils, there is a phenomenon which can occur called 'habituation.' Habituation happens when a person's body no longer responds like it had previously to a particular oil or blend. If you use an oil regularly, it is possible that your body needs a change. Alternating the oils you use is much more effective than using the same oils day after day. World-renowned essential oil safety author, teacher and speaker, Robert Tisserand, spoke about this in his Essential Oil Safety Master Class. His suggestion is (as ours has been), that if you use the same oils or blends long-term consistently, to take a break or alternate so you can avoid 'habituation.'
Quote from the class:
"When using essential oils long-term (such as for chronic conditions, or as a part of your cosmetic routine), consider taking a break every few months for at least a week, or switch the oils around. This will lower the risk of sensitization as well as prevent habituation."
Tisserand commented during the class that we should change the oil/blend if it is no longer working as well as it had previously. This tends to happen eventually to many things we use (such as supplements, herbal extracts and so on). Deodorant is another example we can all relate to needing to change now and then.
Tisserand wrote: "Habituation is extremely difficult to predict, and in fact, I have seen little evidence of it with essential oils. Especially for pain, my suggestion would be, as long as something is working well, to continue with it. If the effect seems to fall off, it may be time to try something different (different EOs or a different approach altogether), or re-visit the cause of the pain for that individual."
Those of us here at Hopewell who are around the oils all the time notice that our sense of the oils' strength diminishes, much like it does for someone who, for example, works in a coffee shop and can hardly smell the aroma like they did when they first started working there. The coffee hasn't changed, but their senses have become accustomed to it.
Avoiding 'habituation' is simple. Simply rotate the oils/blends you use on a consistent basis.
We hope you have a very blessed Spring!
Linda and the Hopewell crew :)
19 Newsletter Comments
Great info - thank you!
Debbie
This is helpful, thank you!
Maureen
Thank you for the information, Blessings
Barbara
Wonderful info! Thank you so much!!! Blessings,
Staci
Excellent information. Thank you.
Esther
Thank you for this, Linda.
Yvette
I love the newsletter great ideas and packed with just plain old common sense.
Juanita
Thank you! That answers some questions for me and now I know what to do.
Cheryl
Wow, thank you – this is really helpful information! We love your products!
Laura
Thank you so much for this notice, I didn't realize. From a loyal customer of Hopewell Oils,
Kathy
Thank you, a good reminder for me.
Norman
Thanks for the information
Cheryl
Thank you for this information.
Dee
Good heads up. Thanks.
Martha
Thank you for such careful and thorough information!
Priscilla
Thank you for letting us know about this topic. I am still a novice when it comes to oils but firmly agree that they have helped my pain, my sleep and my mood since I have been using them. I love your company. Keep up the good work. God Bless,
Maryellen
This is helpful, thank you!
Maureen
Dear Linda, thank you for these insightful emails. I have always appreciated more info!! I have felt this must be true if oils too as I use Plague Defense almost nightly during flu season etc. I have been using 4 of your sleep blends and try to rotate between those nightly- but I do use 3 each night. And now am taking a break as I don't think they haven't been working as well as at first! I am so thankful for your oils and blends and your awesome website with all its info!! Yours is the most helpful of any I've seen and you have more oils and blends than any other company!! Thank you so much!! I appreciate y'all so much!!
Maggie
Very interesting, Linda. I really enjoy your articles and look forward to "the next one"! Thank you for your time and effort to make this information available to your public. God Bless!
Jean