Did you know that the human body has seven main pulse points located all around the body? From the side of the neck to the ankle and of course our wrists, pulse points are where our arteries run close to the surface of the skin.

As the blood flows so close to the surface of the skin, applying essential oils to these points means that they can filter into the bloodstream quickly and easily, supercharging the speed at which you reap the benefits. In fact, aromatherapy is most effective when focusing on the pulse points of the body, especially if you are on the go, and are in need of a quick and easy pick me up. Great for travelling too, pulse point rollers are like your five minutes of mindfulness in your pocket. Our bodies also take in essential oils via the respiratory system, and therefore just inhaling the natural scents is a powerful thing to do as well.

So what are the main pulse points in the body?

The pulse represents the human cardiovascular system and cannot be measured at just any point in the body. There are particular points where the pulse can be felt and thus measured too. These are called the pulse points. There are several throughout the body, and we explore these specific points below:

The temporal pulse

Felt in the head, the temporal artery is in front of the ear. When the temporal artery is compressed against the temporal bone, the temporal pulse can be taken. You can feel this by slightly placing and pressing the fingers on the head’s sides (your temples).

The carotid pulse

This is found in the neck thanks to the carotid artery. When the carotid artery takes oxygen from the heart to the brain, the pulse can be felt. The pulse in the neck is felt by placing the fingertip on either side of the front of the neck, just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic “beat” is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.

The branchial pulse

By gently pressing the artery against the underlying bone on the elbow with your middle and index fingers, the brachial artery pulse can be felt. Another, more common way of checking this pulse is by checking the bicep tendon in the area of the antecubital fossa. This is commonly used to measure blood pressure with a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor).

The femoral pulse

The femoral pulse may be the most sensitive in assessing for septic shock and is routinely checked during resuscitation. The femoral pulse is usually easily identifiable, located along the crease midway between the pubic bone and the anterior iliac crest and by using the tips of your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers, you are able to find the pulse.

The radial pulse

The most commonly used to check the pulse of patients and for aromatherapy, the radial pulse is located close to the wrist joint. More than one fingertip is placed on the artery close to the wrist joint because of the large, sensitive surface available to feel the pulse wave.

The popliteal pulse

The popliteal pulse can be detected specifically in the portion of your leg behind your knee. The pulse here is from blood flow to the popliteal artery, a vital blood supply to the lower leg. Several medical conditions can affect blood flow to and from the popliteal pulse.

The dorsalis pedis pulse

The dorsalis pedis artery (dorsal artery of foot), is a blood vessel of the lower limb that carries oxygenated blood to the dorsal surface of the foot. It is found in the ankle joint and is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery.

Aromatherapy to the pulses

Essential oils have the ability to alter our emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as encourage physical reactions in the body, such as your energy levels, improving your focus and helping us to destress and reduce anxiety.

If you really want to experience the power of essential oils, using them on your pulses are key. Applying to your pulses allows for fast absorption and faster results. To maximise the benefits of both your pulse points and olfactory senses, it’s best to place the essential oils where your nose can still catch a whiff. Applying essential oils to your temples, wrists and behind the ears is probably the best.

The benefits of pulse point rollers

Totally discreet and easy to carry around in your bag or pocket. Just pick your perfect blend, take it with you everywhere you go and apply whenever you want to feel uplifted, calm or energised.

Each of the blend offered by BWG Botanics are formulated to serve a purpose and help improve your mood while also giving you a moment to yourself wherever you are.