March 16, 2023

the plant-powered benefits of essential oils and how to use them

Author

endota

the plant-powered benefits of essential oils and how to use them

Think of your grandmother’s perfume, rain on hot ground, freshly brewed coffee or sea air on a summer’s day. Every scent evokes a feeling — but why?

While vision is often thought of as the strongest of the senses, and the power of our knowing nose is often eclipsed by our ability to see the world around us, we’re far more likely to remember something we smell over something we see, hear or touch. Harvard neuroscientist, Venkatesh Murthy, explains that this is because of our brain’s anatomy. Our olfactory system (sense of smell) is directly connected to the limbic system — a structure in our brain that houses the hippocampus, which is linked to memory, and the amygdala, responsible for our emotions, behaviour and motivation.

Put simply, scent, memory, emotion and mood are all intertwined and have a reciprocal relationship with one another. Given that human noses have over 400 scent receptors, our sense of smell is stronger than you might think — and for that reason, makes it somewhat of a super sense when harnessed in the right way. Insert: aromatherapy.

Sentimental scents

Aromatherapy is a time-tested practice that uses the aromas of essential oils (extracted from the leaves, flowers and stems of plants) to enhance our physical and mental wellbeing — and when you consider how highly emotive our sense of smell is, it’s not surprising to learn that aromatherapy has mood-boosting benefits. Beyond the function of fragrance, some essential oils have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties which means they’re a great way to promote health and healing in your life.

Here are a few ways to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy:

Soak yourself in an aromatic bath

Is there anything better than a bath? A simple yet often overlooked antidote to a long day, baths are a great way to relax (away from screens) and recreate that spa-like serenity at home. Up the relaxation ante by adding six drops of an essential oil into the tub to soothe both your mind and muscles, and help encourage a restful night’s sleep. To ensure suitability for your skin and refrain from irritation, dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil. We recommend Rosehip Oil for its hydrating benefits.

Scents to lift your spirits

For an instant mood-booster, try the zesty and sunny scents from citrus-based oils — think: orange, lemon, mandarin, frankincense and bergamot. Given their uplifting quality, these are ideal to incorporate into your morning ritual, stirring the senses and putting you in a great mood for the rest of the day. When used topically, citrus oils support the formation of collagen in the skin — which is no surprise given the restorative role vitamin C plays in our skincare.

Try our Clarity Blend

It’s evident how much of an impact scent has on us. In terms of memory recall and the changes to mood and emotions, your body behaves differently when met with a certain scent. And so by harnessing the power of aromatherapy, you can really start to transform your day-to-day life and improve your overall wellbeing. For other ways to transform your day, read our blog on self-care rituals that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.

* Essential oils are highly concentrated, so we recommend patch testing before finding the right blend for you.

Tags: Mindfulness Self-care

the plant-powered benefits of essential oils and how to use them

Author

endota