Aromatherapy: A whiff of wellness

While scrolling online recently, I came across a product that promised to “sniff away” anxiety. I was intrigued by the promise that a quick whiff could ease the stress overload that sometimes happens when juggling work, home, and a busy lifestyle. One middle-of-the-night click and it’s on its way. While I await the delivery of this little miracle tube (likely on a slow boat from China), I did a deep dive into the virtues of aromatherapy and its claims.

Aromatherapy products are big business. With a seemingly never-ending array of candles, oils, and potions promising to do everything from altering a mood to healing an ailment, it can be easy to be taken in by exaggerated marketing claims. While outrageous promises are often just hype, I learned not to be too quick to dismiss the power of scent. Beneath all the brouhaha is intriguing data supporting a link between smells and moods. Medical research proves scent stimulation does, in fact, send particular messages to the brain, which in turn affects our moods and feelings. Not convinced? Read on for some research findings, as well as some aromatherapy potions you can whip up to change your little corner of the world—or at least the way you perceive it!

NOTE: Organic essential oils should be used with care and caution. You should always use natural essential oils that are safe for skin and are diluted, not fragrant craft oils. Be sure to check with a health professional before using any aromatherapy treatment.

Orange You Calm?

University of Vienna research revealed exposure to ambient odor of orange can have a relaxant effect and it relieved levels of anxiety in study subjects awaiting dental treatment. As a bonus, the orange scent prompted a positive mood among the participants.

Tip: Have a fresh orange handy for a quick snack to de-stress and cheer up. Or, add some natural orange essential oil to the bath to ease anxiety.

Vanilla Memories

In a study conducted at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York, patients undergoing an MRI reported 63 percent less claustrophobic after being exposed to the aroma of vanilla. Experts attributed the reduced anxiety to the pleasant memories evoked by the vanilla aroma or by some other physiological response related to the fragrance.

Tip: Mix up this vanilla room freshener and spritz at whim or will to relax fast: Mix together two ounces of vanilla extract and two ounces of distilled water. Pour into a small, clean perfume or spritz bottle.

An Apple a Day

Scientific studies show the scent of apple and cinnamon make people feel secure, comfortable, and “at home.” The feeling of well-being was experienced by both men and women participants who experienced the fragrance of an apple and cinnamon mixture.

Tip: Welcome visitors with a batch of apple and cinnamon potpourri.   Mix together in a glass jar or ziplock bag: one cup dried apple slices; two tablespoons ground cinnamon; 1/4 cup whole allspice berries (or two tablespoons ground allspice); two tablespoons whole cloves; 10 two inch cinnamon sticks; 10 to 12 small pinecones; eight drops cinnamon oil (or 32 drops of cinnamon extract).  Shake up every few days to distribute scent until desired fragrance is achieved.  

Safe Slumber

In a study published in the British Medical Journal Lancet, elderly patients slept “like babies” when a lavender aroma was wafted into their bedrooms at night. These patients had long suffered from insomnia and were dependent on sleeping pills. The lavender aroma allowed them to sleep soundly without medication.

Tip: Sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your pillow before bed, or add a few drops to a warm bath before turning in for the night.

Dump Depression

Studies show the fragrant flowers of ylang ylang and roses help halt depression. Furthermore, ylang ylang has been touted as an anti-panic treatment. When added to a warm bath, feelings of depression can literally be washed away.

Tip: Simply add three drops of rose essential oil and four drops of ylang ylang essential oil to a tub full of warm water. To induce further relaxation, bathe by candlelight.

Here are more “tried and true” aromatherapy aids:

• To improve concentration: Blend equal parts of basil, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper essential oils in a diffuser.

• To increase alertness: Peppermint, dill, and coffee essential oils dispersed in the air might do the trick.

• To aid memory: Try using lily of the valley or coriander essential oils in a diffuser.

• Heighten focus: Combine equal parts cypress and cinnamon oils in a diffuser.

Need a mood boost? Try these organic essential oils in a diffuser to transform moods:

• Promote inner security and self-acceptance: Frankincense, jasmine, sandalwood, cedarwood, and bergamot.

• Improve self-esteem and confidence: Try bay laurel, bergamot, cypress, grapefruit, jasmine, rosemary, or orange essential oils.

• Be a vibrant, happy person: Get help from grapefruit, lemon, orange, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.

• Boost your spirit: Jasmine is the oil to help bring out your sunnier side.

• Dispel negative feelings and loneliness: Use rose, clary sage, frankincense, and Helichrysum oils.

• Cheer up: Try the essential oil of lemon balm.