We always get asked how we’re feeling, rather than how we want to feel! That’s where aromatherapy comes in.
Aromatherapy is all about supporting your mood transitions that occur throughout the day. Whether you need to refocus for work after racing the kids to school or de-stress after a long day, aromatherapy products can help you to smoothly transition into the necessary state of mind. But what is aromatherapy and is there science behind it?
A brief history of aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an ancient holistic healing treatment that’s been around for thousands of years to enhance body, mind, and spirit. There’s evidence that ancient civilisations including China, India and Egypt used aromatic concoctions for medical and religious reasons. Over time, the process of distillation was discovered, and essential oils became more complex. Later in the 19th century, some of these oils were used to treat disease. With the advent of chemical drugs, there was a move away from plant-based therapy, although it still lingered in the background before coming to prominence once again in more recent years.
Today, millions of people across the world use aromatherapy for a variety of reasons and its benefits are widely recognised. Recently, there has been a focus on conducting scientific research into aromatherapy providing clinical back-up for this ancient therapy.
The science behind aromatherapy
Aromatherapy works through the strong link between our sense of smell and the part of the brain where memory and habits are formed.
When we breathe essential oils in, minute molecules travel from the olfactory nerves directly to our brain and our limbic system. This part of the brain is the centre of emotional life and plays a big role in forming memories, habit behaviour and emotions.
Ever wondered why certain smells trigger a memory of childhood or evoke a strong emotional response? Chances are you encountered that smell in the same context many times, which created a mental cue for your brain. Aromatherapy also does this. By regularly using an aromatherapy blend, you can create a mental trigger to get into a desired state of mind, like feeling calm.
Aromatherapy doesn’t only create a mental cue. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, which are also often used as the key indicators of anxiety. It’s thought that by targeting the limbic system, aromatherapy can directly impact these physical indicators, like helping to slow down breathing or heart rate.
How do you want to feel today?
If you’re looking to de-stress, try a soothing blend with botanicals like chamomile such as Scentered’s de-stress range. Ideal for helping you to juggle work and life throughout the day, keep calm and in control, manage stress and anxiety and for winding down at the end of the day.
Looking and feeling your best starts with a good night's rest. To drift into a deep, restorative sleep, try scents like lavender, found in Ajora’s pillow mists. Or upgrade your next relaxing bath before bed with aromatic bath salts like those by Novenary.
