The power of scent is a remarkable thing. It invokes such strong feelings that once you associate a particular smell with a certain emotion (think of the feeling of warmth and security associated with Mom’s fresh baked cookies!), simply smelling it in the future can evoke those same emotions.
But the power of scent doesn’t end there! It can actually benefit our health! Our sense of smell can actually connect to the brain and affect our mood and sense of well-being!
This is the premise behind Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils, also known as plant hormones. The inhaled aroma from these oils stimulates the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system is a region that influences emotions and memories and is directly linked to the adrenals, pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, the parts of the body that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, stress, memory, hormone balance, and breathing. This makes the effects of essential oils immediate in bringing about emotional and physiological balance.
The array of essential oils that are available is almost mind-boggling, and each has its own healing properties, such as anti-bacterial, antiviral, diuretic, vasodilator, tranquilizing, and adrenal stimulating.
Luckily people much smarter than me have figured out what oils produce what effect.
These two aromatherapy “recipes” from Andrea Manitsas at Organic Authority are good examples of how different oils can actually affect our moods.
Plus, they sound like they could come in handy when life gets a little out of balance. :-)
A Quick Pick-Me-Up
Take it Down a Notch
To Make the Sprays
1. Fill a mini spray bottle with 4 ounces of pure distilled water.
2. Carefully put the selected blend of essential oils directly into the spray bottle.
3. Shake vigorously to combine.
Be sure to shake it before each use, as the water and essential oils tend to separate.
So which “mood mist” could YOU use about now? :-)