Ahhhhh…….
Scents can be very powerful, which is why aromatherapy has been popular for many, many years. I’ve always gravitated to certain scents, particularly spicy ones like, eucalyptus and thyme (which I frequently diffuse in the house). I also love the scent of rosemary and any kind of citrus. A couple months ago I was reading about the beneficial properties of essential oil of rosemary for reducing cortisol, boosting concentration, and stimulating mental activity. Since my job can be stressful at times, ie. tax time and during end of the month procedures, I decided to buy a terra-cotta diffuser from Mountain Rose Herbs** for diffusing essential oils in my office while I work. I love this little thing, there are no fans, no electric, just a calming scent filling the air of my office.
Each morning, I put two drops each of rosemary and sweet orange essential oil on it and hang it in the window. The sun warms it slightly and the wonderful scent fills the air. Sweet orange oil is said to create a happy, relaxed feeling while lifting the mood. Research suggests that it helps to reduce pulse rate and salivary cortisol levels, just like rosemary essential oil. Even if it didn’t have these properties it would be worth diffusing just for the scent. Do I notice less stress when my office smells great? Certainly! My mood is instantly lifted when I walk into the office.
Do you use aromatherapy in your home? What’s your favorite scent or combo of scents?
**I have an affiliate account through Mountain Rose Herbs, it helps me pay the bills associated with this blog. If you purchase spices, tea, or essential oils through them, consider clicking through the link in my sidebar and help support my work here.
We love essential oils in our house. We use them for everything. I really love wild orange and peppermint together. My favorite is vetiver.
to Angie hull's comment
I’m not a fan of introducing scents into my living space. The best smells are the natural smells of living. If the smell doesn’t come naturally from cooking, or from a human, or from the natural objects in my home (like the wood) , then I can do without it.
to Tom Wolfe's comment
Unfortunately our old house is filled with lots of bad smells from the 40 years of life, the strongest is the rancid cooking oil smell since they didn’t have an exhaust fan.
Of course right now it smells heavenly of maple syrup as I boil down the sap :)
to Susy's comment
Maple syrup is one smell I would readily have in my home!!!
to Tom Wolfe's comment
Susy, my scents come from candles in jars that my daughter brings home from the discount bin where she works. So I burn them mainly for the early morning wakeup ambiance while I’m reading the daily blogs. There do have scents but fortunately, I don’t need something to help me wake up happy in the morning. I’m a morning person and love the early quiet mornings when all of nature is waking up. I’m kind of with Tom. When I leave after breakfast and return home to a wafting smell of the onions I fried with the potatoes for breakfast, it’s a comforting smell that welcomes me home and reminds be that I’m home. Some folks probably wouldn’t like to have a lingering onion smell in the house but to me it’s better than any scented candle can accomplish. Baking bread is another smell that makes a house feel like home or the smell of a pie finishing the last few minutes of baking makes be feel very much a part of a loving household. Maybe it’s because all those smells came from Mom’s kitchen and while growing up and has great memories for me.
Have a great aromatherapy day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
I like making a body scrub with Castile soap, sea salt and lavender or peppermint oil, it’s a great way to get up and get going. I’m fairly new to essential oils and they have been a great addition to our life. My two and three year old always ask me to put peppermint on their feet before bed to help them sleep, and it just seems to help everyone relax.
to Jennie's comment