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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 :)