How Aromatherapy Works (And What Scents Work for What)

You have often read, and I'm sure felt, about how a long, hot bath with smelly-good oils after a long, hard day make you feel like a brand-new person. But this action is much more than just taking some time away from the bustle of life and shutting the door from the world. There are actual benefits to our beautifully-scented products both for our mind and our body. Essential oils have been used for centuries in some cases as ingestibles as well as topical skincare and psychological medicinal treatments. Essential oils are extracted from the flowers, stems, barks, or roots from plants and contain the full chemical properties of that plant, which includes its fragrance. And the fragrant nature of these oils is the basis for aromatherapy,

The scented components of an essential oil interact with the smell receptors in our noses, which in turn interact with our brain's limbic system. Think of the limbic system as kind of the regulatory department of our brains as it much to do with our emotional responses, overall mood, stress levels, social and sexual responses, and even some physical regulatory responses such as our breathing patterns, heart rate, and blood pressure. So with a single breath of the right essential oil perhaps our entire mind and body could be slowly coaxed into a different state, be that a state of calm, joy, or even excitement.

It is important to know that when using essential oils for any purpose-- medicine, skincare, or even straight-up aromatherapy with a room diffuser-- that a little goes a long way and less is often more. Though natural, these things are extremely potent and can sometimes cause burns and other adverse effects if you use too much or do not dilute them properly. if you want to do an aromatherapy treatment on the skin for example such as taking that long soak with lavender-scented water for example or applying some to the pulse points and then breathing it in, ALWAYS remember to dilute them with what is called a carrier oil first. Carrier oils come mostly from seeds and act as a more benign, gentle delivery system for the essential oils' powerful active componets. Argan, jojoba, rosehip seed, grapeseed, olive, and avocado oil are just some examples of carrier oils that essential oils can be added to bring their benefits to your skin, nose, and rest of your body in a way that is safe and effective and without risk of burning or overstimulating your skin or senses. Don't worry, you'll still be getting all of the benefits of those powerful essential oils but just in a way that is safe and good for your body.

But what aromatherapy essential oils are the very best? Well, a lot depends on your personal preferences but more so, on what types of benefits you are wanting. Here is a breakdown of some common things aromatherapy can be used for and what oils work best for each purpose.

A Good Night's Rest: Lavender, Chamomile, Clove (this is my personal favorite for sleep and relaxation), patchouli, sandalwood.

Waking Up, Energy, Invigoration: Bergamot, Jasmine (my favorite) , Ylang Ylang, Lemon, and all other citruses

Focus, Learning, Mental Clarity: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Frankincense

Groundedness. Intimacy, Sensuality; Cinnamon, Rose, Patchouli

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Of course, many other uses for essential oils for aromatherapy exist, and there are many other oils that can also aid with the goals listed above. And from that list, you can see that some of the same oils can serve ,multiple purposes! Really, it is all about finding the smells that inspire the best of feelings for you and perhaps trying blends that contain many or maybe combining your own and making your own bespoke blend. It is a lot of fun to test out and stimulate the brain with smell and see what works for you. So have fun and play and always be careful and listen to your skin and senses to find your perfect matches!