Sex & Aromatherapy

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to nurture yourself through pleasurable scents that offer therapeutic effects. Allow yourself to begin a transformation into tranquility and healing by opening yourself to the beautiful experience of celebrating scents. It can also add to you sex life by providing a holistic sex tool for you and your lover through sensual massage, baths and more.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using plant oils for psychological and physical well-being. An aroma can have a positive psychological effect on the body. Essential oils, which are the pure essence of a plant, have provided physical and psychological benefits when used correctly and safely.

Perfume oils, also known as fragrance oils or fragrances, are not the same as essential oils. Perfume oils and fragrances contain unnatural chemicals. Essential oils, like flower essences are natural.

The olfactory nerve conveys the scent of essential oils to areas of the brain that can influence emotions and hormonal response. When used in a bath or massage, the oils are absorbed through the skin and carried by body fluids to the central body systems, such as the nervous and muscular systems, for a healing effect.

Aromatherapy Skeptics

On the other side of the spectrum, there are many skeptics of alternative therapy, including aromatherapy. Studies that support aromatherapy and even the Mayo Clinic acknowledge that aromatherapy can positively affect relieving anxiety and depression and improving one's quality of life, particularly for people with chronic health conditions.

One aromatherapy study used two contrasting scents, lemon, and lavender with people who were reporting high-stress levels. It was determined that lemon had a positive effect on mood, but neither scent affected stress indicators, biochemical markers of immune system changes, or pain control.

While in another study, aromatherapy reduced anxiety, increased sleep, and stabilized patients' blood pressure undergoing cardiac stent insertion.

Other aromatherapy studies showed the following results:

• Improve sleep
• Reduce pain for people with kidney stones
• Relief from anxiety and depression
• Improved the quality of life for dementia patients and people with chronic health conditions
• Reduction in pain for people with osteoarthritis of the knee

Many people will agree that having a pleasant scent that resonates with them is therapeutic. How many times have you been uplifted when you have caught the scent of spring flowers or soothed from the warm smell of a cinnamon bun. If scents did not affect us, we wouldn't be such large consumers, perfume, scented soaps, and more.

Aromatherapy & Sexual Products

Using aromatherapy during sex can make it easier to relax as well as get turned on. Combining fragrances and essential oils with sexual pheromones can provide aphrodisiac qualities. Erotic scents can be found in such sexual products such as:

• Massage Oils
  
  
• Massage Candles
  
  
• Scented & Flavored Lubricants
  
  
• Sensual Bath & Body Products
  
  

Essential Oils & Uses

Angelica Root - Angel's Herb

Angelica root is distilled from the root of the Angelica plant and is imported from France. It has an earthy, green scent. Angelica has been used in Chinese medicine to promote fertility.

Historically used for relieving fatigue, migraines, ease anxiety and nervous tension regulating menstrual cycles (also see menstrual relief) and alleviate dysmenorrhoea, and coughs restore sense of smell, for releasing accumulated toxins in the body. Angelica root should be avoided if you are pregnant or have diabetes. May cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Emotional effects: grounding, eases dealing with difficulties, creating a feeling of balance.

It is best blended with vetiver, citrus oils, clary sage, and patchouli.

Basil - Awakening

Basil oil is produced by distilling the leaves of the herb and is imported from France. It has a slight licorice aroma. Basil originated in India, and Hindus have used it for centuries in medicine.

Historically used: to brighten the mood, strengthen the nervous system, improve mental clarity and memory, for relieving headache and sinusitis. Basil should be avoided during pregnancy.

Emotional effects: for relieving indecision and doubts, lack of direction.

Best blended with bergamot, clary sage, citronella, and geranium.

Bay - Joyful Renewal

Distilled from leaves and twigs and imported from West Indies. Bay has a powerful sweet, spicy balsamic scent.

They are historically used as a stimulant for hair growth, relieving muscle spasms and strains, improving circulation (erectile dysfunction), and relieving melancholy, nervous exhaustion, as an insect repellent. Avoid use during pregnancy.

Best blended with rosemary, geranium, lavender, ylang-ylang, other spice, and citrus oils.

Bay Laurel - Inner Inspiration

Distilled from the leaves and branches of the tree and imported from France. It has a robust and sweet-spicy scent. The leaves of the bay laurel were placed under pillows by ancient Greeks to encourage prophetic dreams.

Historically used as an immune system stimulant, to regulate the lymphatic system, relieve melancholy, anxiety, and stimulate the mind, for healing bronchitis, sinus infection. Avoid use in pregnancy, and do not overuse.

Emotional effects: inspires confidence, courage, and self-belief, self-awareness.

Best blended with: lavender, clary sage, juniper, cypress, frankincense, and citrus oils.

Bergamot - Overdue Release

Bergamot oil is cold-pressed from the fruit peel and is imported from Italy. It has a sweet & fruity scent. Bergamot oil is documented in old herbal texts.

Historically used balancing the nervous system, relieving anxiety and stress, lifting melancholy, restful sleep, antiviral, cold sores, and psoriasis eczema, and insect repellent. Bergamot may cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight. A bergaptene free oil is available. Bergaptene is the constituent which increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.

Emotional effects: to relieve helplessness, hopelessness, emptiness, and grief.

Best blended with lavender, neroli, jasmine, coriander, juniper, chamomile, lemon, geranium, and cypress.

Cedar - Transformation

There are several varieties of cedar; Atlas Cedar is one of the most beneficial for aromatherapy. The oil is distilled from the wood and is imported from Morocco & Algeria, North Africa. It has a woody aroma. Atlas cedar was believed to have been used extensively by the Egyptians in cosmetics, perfume, and medicine.

Historically used: to relax tense muscles, calm emotions, help to breathe, for enhancing meditation, easing pain, repelling insects, for hair loss. Atlas Cedar should be avoided during pregnancy.

Emotional effects: for relief of irrationality, worry, fear, and mental obsession.

Best blended with bergamot, cypress, ylang-ylang, rosemary, juniper, vetiver, neroli, clary sage, and frankincense.

Roman Chamomile - Gentle Acceptance

Chamomile has a sweet and fruity aroma. Chamomile was a sacred herb of the Saxons.

Historically used: to relieve muscular pain, as a sedative, ease anxiety, and nervous tension, to help with sleeplessness. Roman Chamomile should be avoided during early pregnancy.

Emotional effects: to relieve anger, hysteria, fear, spirit disconnection, grief, worry.

Best blended with bergamot, cypress, jasmine, juniper, neroli, frankincense, clary sage, vetiver, rosemary, and ylang-ylang.

Clary Sage - Clear Vision

Clary sage oil is distilled from the flowering tops and the herb and is imported from France. It has a spicy, hay-like aroma. It has been called "clear eye" and was used for healing eye problems in times past.

Historically used: relieving stress and tension, lifting melancholy, easing pain, restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac; contains estrogen-like hormone, for menopause and PMS, relieving nervous exhaustion. Clary Sage should be avoided during pregnancy or if you have endometriosis, breast, ovarian and uterine cysts, and other estrogen dependent conditions (cancers).

Emotional effects: for relieving worry, crying, guilt, obsessions, and compulsions, hostility, panic.

Best blended with juniper, bergamot, lavender, frankincense, coriander, cardamom, geranium, sandalwood, cedarwood, pine, and jasmine.

Cypress - Deep Remembrance

Cypress oil is distilled from the needles and twigs and is imported from Europe. It has a spicy, refreshing pine-needle aroma. Cypress incense is used today by Tibetans for purification.

Historically used: to increase circulation, relieve muscular cramps, bronchitis, whooping cough, and painful periods, reduce nervous tension and other stress-related problems, as an immune stimulant. Avoid cypress if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, cancer or uterine and breast fibrosis.

Emotional effects: for relief of grief, self-hate, jealousy, loss and regret, isolation.

Best blended with cedarwood, pine, lavender, clary sage, lemon, cardamon, juniper, bergamot, orange, marjoram, and sandalwood.

Eucalyptus - Breath Of Fresh Air

It is distilled from the leaves and is imported from Australia. It has a strong camphorous odor. Aborigines have used eucalyptus leaves to remedy many ills.

Historically used for colds, as a decongestant, to relieve asthma and fevers, for its bactericidal and antiviral actions ease aching joints. Avoid if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Emotional effects: to help with explosive-heated emotions, irrational thinking.

Best blended with rosemary, lavender, marjoram, pine, cedarwood, and lemon.

Sweet Fennel - Enlightenment

It is distilled from the fruit and is imported from France. It has an earthy-peppery aroma. In times past, fennel was used to ward off evil spirits.

Historically used: for neuromuscular spasms, rheumatism, and arthritis; bronchitis, whooping cough, as a nerve tonic in relieving stress and nervous tension. Use in moderation and avoid if you are pregnant or have epilepsy.

Emotional effects: to aid with mental and emotional blocks, resisting change, fear of failure, creativity blocks.

Best blended with: geranium, lavender, rose, and sandalwood.

Balsam Fir - Mother Earth

Distilled from the needles and twigs of the Balsam Fir tree from Canada with a fresh balsamic odor.

Historically used: to relieve muscle aches and pains, for reducing anxiety and stress-related conditions, to fight colds, flu, and infections, for relieving bronchitis and coughs.

Said to ground one mentally, it is best blended with: cypress, cedar, pine sandalwood, and juniper berry.

Frankincense - Fear Free

Frankincense oil is steam distilled from oleo-gum-resin of the tree and is imported from Africa. It has a spicy, balsamic aroma. Frankincense was known as one of the most precious substances to ancient man and is associated with religious practice.

Historically used: to calm, enhance meditation, elevate mind and spirit, help to breathe, for psychic cleansing, for the care of mature skin and scars.

Emotional effects: for healing fears, grief, repressed feelings, self-destruction, and dissociation/disconnection.

Best blended with sandalwood, pine, vetiver, geranium, lavender, neroli, orange, bergamot, and basil.

Geranium - Fear No More

Geranium oil is distilled from the leaves of the plant and is imported from Egypt. It has a leafy rose scent. Geranium has been long revered for its fragrance.

Historically used: reducing stress and tension, easing pain, balancing emotions and hormones, PMS, relieve fatigue and nervous exhaustion, to lift melancholy, lessen fluid retention, repel insects.

Emotional effects: to aid with acute fear, rigidity, abuse, lack of self-esteem, discontentment, heartache.

Best blended with: lavender, patchouli, clove, rose, neroli, sandalwood, jasmine, juniper, and bergamot.

Ginger - Direction

Ginger oil is distilled from the root of the plant and is imported from China. It has a warm, spicy-woodsy odor. Ginger has been used as a healing remedy for thousands of years.

Historically used: reducing muscular aches and pains, increasing circulation, relieving bronchitis and whooping cough, nervous exhaustion, in healing colds flu and fever and to stimulate appetite.

Emotional effects: for sexual anxieties, lack of direction, confusion, loneliness.

Best blended with sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense, cedarwood, coriander, rose, neroli, and orange.

Grapefruit - Purifier

Grapefruit oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the U.S. grapefruit. It has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent.

Historically used: to lift melancholy, relieve muscle fatigue, as an astringent for oily skin, refresh and energize the body, stimulate detoxification, as an airborne disinfectant.

Emotional effects: for use with self-doubt and criticism, dependency, frustration, and grief.

Best blended with lemon, palmarosa, bergamot, neroli, rosemary, cardamon, geranium, lavender, and cypress.

Jasmine - Sweet Desire

Jasmine oil is extracted from the flowers and is imported from India. It has a rich, sweet scent.

Historically used: to lift melancholy, for muscular spasm, painful periods, and labor pains, to relieve anxiety and nervous exhaustion, an aphrodisiac.

Emotional effects: to relieve repressed feelings, bitter jealously, low self-esteem, guilt, emotional abuse.

Best blended with rose, sandalwood, clary sage, and citrus oils.

Juniper Berry - Determination

Juniper Berry oil is distilled from the berries and is imported from Italy. It has a fresh, pine-needle aroma. Believed to be magical, juniper was used to avert and protect one from evil.

Historically used: to energize and relieve exhaustion, ease inflammation and spasms, for improving mental clarity and memory, purifying the body, to lessen fluid retention, for disinfecting. Juniper Berry should be avoided during pregnancy or if you have kidney disease.

Emotional effects: for guilt, unworthiness, discontentment, abusive experiences, empathy, defensive behavior.

Best blended with vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, cypress, clary sage, pine, lavender, rosemary, and geranium.

Lavender - Healing Stress

Lavender oil is distilled from the flowering tops of the plant and is imported from France. It has a sweet, fresh scent. Lavender has been used for centuries as a fragrance and a medicine.

Historically used: balancing emotions, relieving stress, tension, and headache, to promote restful sleep, heal the skin, to lower high blood pressure, help breathing, for disinfecting.

Emotional effects: panic, hysteria, fears, insecurity, trauma, worry, burnout, addiction, obsessive and agitated behaviors.

Best blended with most oils, including citrus, florals, cedarwood, clove, clary sage, pine, geranium, vetiver, and patchouli.

Lemon - Disinfectant

Latin name: Citrus Limonum. Family name: Rutaceae. Lemon is cold-pressed from the lemon peel and is from the U.S. It has a fresh lemon scent. It is said that lemon was used to prevent scurvy by our ancestors who traveled the seas.

Historically used: to balance the nervous system, as a disinfectant, to refresh and uplift, for purifying the body. May cause skin sensitivity to the sun or irritate sensitive skin.

Emotional effects: to relieve bitter resentment, distrust, irrational thinking, apathy.

Best blended with lavender, neroli, juniper, eucalyptus, geranium, fennel, chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, rose, and ylang-ylang.

Lemongrass - Psychic Awareness

Lemongrass is distilled from the leaves and is imported from Guatemala. It has a powerful lemon aroma. Recent research in India shows that lemongrass acts as a sedative on the central nervous system.

Historically used: as an insect repellent and deodorizer, for athlete's foot, as a tissue toner, to relieve muscular pain (sports-muscle pain), increase circulation, for headaches, for nervous exhaustion, and other stress-related problems. Also known to enhance intuition. Use with care and avoid pregnancy.

Best blended with citronella, vetiver, and palmarosa.

Lime - Good Cheer

Cold-pressed from the USA lime peel. Lime has a fruity-lime aroma.

Historically used: to purify the air, for alertness, to relieve coughs or congestion, for uplifting and cheering the spirit, to heal colds, flu, or inflammations. Lime may cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Best blended with neroli, citronella, clary sage, rosemary, lavender, and other citrus notes.

Sweet Marjoram - Compassion

Sweet marjoram oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant and is imported from France. It has a warm & spicy aroma. Sweet marjoram was used medicinally by Romans and ancient Greek physicians.

Historically used: to relax tense muscles and relieve spasms, calm and promote restful sleep, ease migraine headache, for comforting the heart, lowering high blood pressure, to help breathing, disinfecting. Marjoram should be avoided during pregnancy.

Emotional effects: for hysteria, anger, feelings of isolation.

Best blended with lavender, eucalyptus, tea-tree, cedarwood, cypress, chamomile, bergamot, and rosemary.

Myrrh - Heart Warmer

Myrrh oil is distilled from the resin and is imported from Africa. It has a sharp, warm balsamic aroma. In Egyptian lore, myrrh is said to have come from the tears of Horus.

Historically used: to heal wounds and nurture mature skin, for bronchitis and colds, to relieve apathy and calm. Avoid use on damaged or sensitive skin.

Emotional effects: in relieving emotional coldness, lack of will, lack of spirit connection, emotional blocks.

Best blended with frankincense, sandalwood, cypress, juniper, geranium, patchouli, lavender, and pine.

Neroli - Harmony

Neroli oil is extracted from the flower of bitter orange tree and is imported from Tunisia. It has a refreshing, bittersweet aroma. In times past, orange flower blossoms were worn at weddings as a symbol of purity.

Historically used: for healing thread veins, scars, and nourishing mature skin, increasing circulation, relieving anxiety, melancholy and nervous tension, bronchitis, as an aphrodisiac.

Emotional effects: for emotional crisis, longing, grief, abuse, hopelessness.

Best blended with chamomile, coriander, geranium, lemon, ylang-ylang, lavender, jasmine, and clary sage.

Nutmeg - Warming Up

Distilled from the nutmeg seed and imported from East Indies. It has a spicy, nutmeg fragrance.

Historically used: for warming muscles, easing muscle aches and pains, to invigorate or stimulate the mind, an aphrodisiac, to stimulate heart and circulation, for relieving nervous fatigue. Avoid during pregnancy and use it with care (can be moderately toxic if overused).

Emotional effects: For focus, relieving grief, guilt, agitation, to improve self-image.

Blends with coriander, bay leaf, petitgrain, lime, orange, geranium, rosemary, and clary sage.

Sweet Orange - Happy Days

Orange oil is cold-pressed from the orange peel and is from the U.S. and Brazil. It has a fruity, sweet scent. Orange trees were once rare and native only to China and India.

Historically used: to brighten mood, calm and reduce stress, as an environmental disinfectant.

Emotional effects: to relieve apathy, emotional abuse, worry, addiction, burnout, hopelessness, self-consciousness.

Best blended with lavender, clove, myrrh, clary sage, lemon, and neroli.

Oregano - Energy

Distilled from the herb and imported from Spain. Oregano has a spicy, warm herb scent.

Historically used: as a muscle relaxant and to ease muscle aches and pains, to heal colds, flu, and bronchitis, as a stimulant, to energize the mind and body, and for relieving headaches. Oregano should be avoided during pregnancy and with babies and children.

Best blended with atlas cedar, lavender, rosemary, and citronella.

Palmarosa - Security

Palmarosa oil is distilled from the tops of the plants and is imported from Nepal. It has a flora-rose grassy scent. Palmarosa is used today in Ayurvedic medicine.

Historically used: to stimulate cellular regeneration and moisturize skin, for nervous exhaustion and stress conditions, to calm and uplift. Emotional effects: irritability, apathy, and tension.

Best blended with geranium, florals, cedarwood, and sandalwood.

Patchouli - Stability

Patchouli oil is distilled from the leaves and is imported from Indonesia. It has an intense earthy, balsamic-woody aroma.

Historically used: for athlete's foot, as an aphrodisiac, to relieve stress and nervous exhaustion. Emotional effects: to relieve indecision, lethargy, mood swings.

Best blended with vetiver, clary sage, myrrh, bergamot, neroli, rose, lavender, clove, geranium, cedarwood, and sandalwood.

Peppermint - Clarity

Peppermint oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant and is grown in the U.S. It has a sweet, mint aroma. Herbalists in ancient Greece and Rome used peppermint for nearly every ailment.

Historically Used: for energy, and brighter mood, reducing pain, to help breathing, improve mental clarity and memory. Peppermint may irritate sensitive skin and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Emotional effects: for shock, overwork, apathy, helplessness.

Best blended with rosemary, eucalyptus, lemon, marjoram, and lavender.

Petitgrain - Remembering Our Strength

Distilled from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree and imported from Africa. It has a sweet, woody-orange floral scent. Petitgrain was one of the ingredients of the original eau-de-cologne.

Historically used: for relieving respiratory infections, to ease nervous tension muscle spasms, for reducing joint inflammation, to balance the central nervous system, for stress relief and restful sleep.

Emotional effects: To relieve feelings of betrayal, sadness, pessimism, trauma, and disharmony.

Blends with clary sage, rosemary, lavender, jasmine, geranium, bergamot, neroli, palmarosa, and clove bud.

Pine - Regret & Bug-Free

Distilled from the needles and imported from France. It has a strong, coniferous, woody aroma. Native Americans placed dried pine needles in their mattresses to ward off lice and fleas.

Historically used: to ease breathing, as an immune system stimulant, to increase energy, for relieving muscle and joint aches, to repel lice and fleas. Avoid use if you have prostate cancer.

Emotional effects: to transform regrets, self-blame, feelings of inadequacy.

Best blended with cedar, lemon, marjoram, rosemary, tea-tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and juniper berry.

Rose Absolute - Ultimate Heart

Rose Absolute is extracted from the rose flower and is imported from Morocco. It has a rich rosy fragrance. Avicenna, a 10th-century Arabian alchemist, gave us our first rose oil.

Historically used: for brighter mood, menopause, to help reduce wrinkles, for calming and reducing nervous tension, to promote restful sleep, as an aphrodisiac.

Emotional effects: grief, fears of loving and being loved, sexuality, jealousy, self-destruction, vengeance, and bitterness.

Best blended with geranium, bergamot, lavender, clary sage, sandalwood, and patchouli.

Rosemary - Remembered Power

Rosemary oil is distilled from the flowering tops of the herb and is imported from Spain. It has a camphor-like aroma. Ancient Greeks and Romans gave rosemary sacred status for its many beneficial uses.

Historically used: to energize, for muscle pains, cramps or sprains, brighten the mood, for improving mental clarity and memory, easing pain, to relieve headaches, disinfecting. Rosemary should be avoided if you are pregnant if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Emotional effects: for disorientation, indecision, burnout.

Best blended with frankincense, cedarwood, peppermint, basil, pine, citronella, and lavender.

Rosewood - Calm Heart

Rosewood is distilled from the wood and imported from Brazil. It has a sweet, woodsy-floral, spicy scent.

Historically used: to relieve stress and balance the central nervous system, for easing jet lag, to create a calm for meditation, easing colds and coughs, to stimulate the immune system, as an aphrodisiac, and in skincare.

Best blended with lavender, orange, lemon, tangerine, sandalwood, cedarwood, palmarosa, geranium, and most oils.

Sandalwood - The Present Moment

Sandalwood oil is distilled from the heartwood and is imported from India. It has a woody, balsamic aroma. Sandalwood is believed to bring about calmness and serenity and is linked with incense and meditation.

Historically used: to lift melancholy, enhance meditation, heal the skin, help to breathe, for calming and reducing stress, restful sleep, disinfecting, as an aphrodisiac.

Emotional effects: to relieve possessiveness, lack of forgiveness, cynicism, insecurity, loneliness, nightmares, dwelling on the past.

Best blended with rose, clove, lavender, jasmine, myrrh, patchouli, vetiver, geranium, and bergamot.

Spearmint - Gentle Cool Breeze

Spearmint has a familiar fragrance of chewing gum.

Historically used: for relieving bronchitis and sinusitis, to ease nausea and headaches, for relieving colds or flu, to stimulate, energize and reduce fatigue.

Best blended with rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, basil, and jasmine.

Spikenard - Freedom

Spikenard oil is distilled from the roots and is imported from India. It has a strong valerian aroma. Spikenard is an herb used by Mary Magdalene to anoint Christ's feet before the last supper.

Historically used: to relieve migraines, stress, and tension, for rejuvenation of mature skin, to calm and promote restful sleep, for wounds, to inspire devotion. Avoid use during pregnancy.

Emotional effects: for inner conflict, emotional, physical imbalances, restlessness.

Best blended with lavender, patchouli, pine, and vetiver.

Tangerine - Joy

Cold-pressed from the tangerine peel and imported from Brazil. It has a sweet, citrus scent.

Historically used: for relieving muscle spasms, to soothe and calm nerves, for stress relief and relaxation, to stimulate the liver and increase lymphatic drainage. May cause skin sensitivity to bright sunlight.

Emotional effects: to heal inner child issues, for relieving anxiety, obsession with the past, emotional trauma.

Best blended with spice oils, nutmeg, clove bud, lemon, neroli, bergamot, lime, orange, and grapefruit.

Thyme - Infection Fighter

Thyme is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops and is imported from Spain. It has a sweet, intense herb-medicinal odor. Thyme was used by ancient Greeks to disinfect the air and inhibit infectious diseases.

Historically used: To heal colds, bronchitis, for relieving muscle aches and pains, to aid concentration and memory, for reducing fatigue, and said to heal anthrax. Avoid use if pregnant or with high blood pressure.

Best blended with bergamot, lemon, rosemary, lavender, and sweet marjoram.

Tea-Tree - Healthy Warrior

Tea-tree is distilled from the leaves and is imported from Australia. It has a spicy, medicinal aroma. Tea-tree is one of the most scientifically researched oils.

Historically used: as an immunostimulant, particularly against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, for relieving inflammation, as a disinfectant.

Best blended with lavender, clove, marjoram, rosemary, clary sage, pine, and geranium.

Vanilla

Vanilla is not just a yummy smell; it's also a stress and anxiety reducer. Studies have shown that the scent of vanilla can have a calming effect on our minds and bodies.

One theory is that we associate the scent with happy memories, like freshly baked cookies. So, incorporating some vanilla-scented candles or room spray into your self-care routine could be a sweet way to soothe those anxious feelings.

If you're looking for some scientific evidence to back up your love of vanilla, here are a few more studies for you:

• A 2013 study found that children with autism spectrum disorder preferred mild, sweet scents like vanilla and lavender.
• Inhaling the scent of vanilla reduced anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing MRI scans, according to a 2013 study.
• A 2010 study found that exposure to the scent of vanilla reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in hospice patients.
• Even rats benefit from the sweet smell of vanilla - a 2009 study found that it reduced stress levels in our furry friends.

So, next time you're feeling stressed, take a deep breath of that vanilla goodness and let the sweet smell do its thing. Your nose (and your mental health) will thank you!

Vetiver - Earth Goddess

Vetiver is distilled from the rootlets and is imported from Haiti. It has a heavy, woodsy, earthy-sweet scent.

Historically used: for muscular aches, to increase circulation, to relieve melancholy and nervous tension, for restful sleep.

Emotional effects: for fears, obsessions, scattered thoughts, anger and hurt, unworthiness, neurotic behavior, addiction.

Best blended with sandalwood, ylang-ylang, clary sage, lavender, patchouli, jasmine, and rose.

Ylang Ylang - Euphoric Union

Ylang Ylang oil is distilled from the flower and is imported from Indonesia. It has an exotic sweet floral scent. Ylang Ylang is known as an aphrodisiac.

Historically used: brightening mood, relieving anger and anxiety, relaxing tense muscles, to calm and promote restful sleep, lower high blood pressure, an aphrodisiac.

Emotional effects: to release emotional guilt, resentment, jealousy, obstinance, frustration and irritability, impatience, and self-absorption.

Best blended with: jasmine, vetiver, bergamot, rose, citrus oils.

Physical Application Of Essential Oils

Since essential oils are potent and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. To apply essential oils to the skin, carrier oils, which are pure vegetable oils, can be used to dilute the essential oils and carry them to the skin. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and grapeseed oil.

When To Avoid Essential Oils

• When pregnant, avoid using Aniseed, Basil, Cedar, Clary Sage, Cypress, Cinnamon, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Origanum, Peppermint, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.
  
  
• Clary Sage should be avoided if you have endometriosis, ovarian or uterine cysts, and cancer.
  
  
• Avoid rosemary if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.
• Peppermint and lemon may irritate sensitive skin.
  
  
• Bergamot, Lemon, and Orange may cause skin sensitivity to the sun.
  
  
• Since essential oils are potent and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form.

Helpful Books on Aromatherapy

Explore the world of aromatherapy by learning more about plant oils for psychological and physical well-being. Allow yourself to begin a transformation into tranquility and healing by opening yourself to the wonderful experience of celebrating scents.

Water Magic: Healing Bath Recipes for the Body, Spirit, and Soul
by Mary Muryn

Unique properties of aromatherapy, herbology, and homeopathic cures are included in this book with recipes for healing baths. The recipes, are accompanied by a meditative affirmation. Based on principles of aromatherapy and homeopathic comforts, these healing bath recipes bring vitality and balance to mind and body.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism
by Julia Lawless

Julia Lawless brings over 150 essential oils and the plants they come from to life as she explains each plant's chemical components and how they are used. The individual plant pages contain full-color photos of the plants and their parts and the vials of essential oils, important to those seeking quality oils. The therapeutic index helpful in providing a list of preferred oils for specific ailments as well as alternates if that is what you happen to have.

Aromatherapy Blends and Remedies: Over 800 Recipes for Everyday Use
by Franzesca Watson

Franzesca writes for the beginner and for those who have years in the field. I especially like the way she explains mixing oils. For example, other books use percents and ml, but Franzesca goes further and gives drop amounts. This is very helpful for the novice.

Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy
by Christine Wildwood

The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy offers the most elegantly comprehensive package on the whole art and science of aromatherapy written to date. It deservedly takes its place among the small handful of indispensable reference books on this fascinating therapy.

Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils
by Gabriel Mojay

Gabriel Mojay's book is divided into three parts. The first reviews aromatherapy basics and succinctly connects this therapy with Yin/Yang of traditional Chinese medicine, the 5-element theory. The second part reviews 40 individual essential oils with emphasis on their energies and psychotherapy properties. The third part concentrates on the individual oils and blends. It includes acupressure points to treat different unbalanced mental states. The book is concise, superbly laid-out with many pictures, illustrations, and charts.

Aromatherapy for Health Professionals
by Shirley Price, Len Price, Daniel, Dr. Penoel

Shirley Price is an author to be trusted. While many books on the market seem to repeat claims without substantive proof, Price's texts offer footnoted references. This text is well researched and provides source material for a more in-depth study. Price explains aromatherapy chemistry clearly, encouraging the reader to learn why and how essential oils affect the body and mind. Chemistry, botany, and application are brought together is a beneficial, down to earth, profound text. With factual content and science on which to base decisions, the aromatherapy practitioner can make informed decisions.

The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties
by Jean Valnet, Robert Tisserand

When you look in the Bibliographies of Aromatherapy books, The Practice of Aromatherapy by Valnet is always mentioned. There's a good reason why: first written in 1980 and translated into English in 1982, Valnet (an M.D.) is one of the foremost experts in aromatherapy. His book teaches about the healing power of aromatic plants and gives textbook like instruction in the importance of herbals and essential oils. He includes studies on 40 individual essential oils, detailing their internal and external uses and some recipes. There is also a Therapeutic Index, case histories, and formulas.
 

In Closing

Plant extracts have been used for centuries, and knowledge of their unique properties has been collected throughout many ages. While we do not recommend the use of aromatherapy as a substitute for medical care nor do we make therapeutic claims about them. Rather, we suggest traditional uses based on the wisdom of those who lived in harmony with nature.