Aromatherapy: Connecting to Plants Through Aroma

We’ve all heard the saying, “Stop and smell the roses”; well, aromatherapy asks you to do just that! It encourages you to clear your mind and connect with the energies of plants through their aromas, allowing these subtle energies to shift your mood. For millennia, people have turned to the power of plants to aid them in setting the mood—not just in romantic contexts, but in spiritual and healing practices as well. Think of the cleansing smoke used in Catholic rituals or the white sage ceremonies of Native Americans. Both practices harness the energies of plants, letting them guide our traditions. Essential oils have become increasingly popular in the practice of aromatherapy due to their unique properties. Keep reading to learn more…

The Power of Plants

The right plants can help you connect with your intuition and open your mind to spiritual matters. Their power doesn’t stop there! Plants can also calm you when you're feeling overwhelmed, uplift you when you’re a bit down, prepare you for sleep, or even get you in the mood for love. The possibilities are truly endless!

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic plants and their oils to holistically heal oneself. It works by engaging our olfactory system (our noses) to elicit emotions within us. Sometimes these emotions are universal, like the overall calming effect of lavender. Other times, they are quite specific, tied to personal memories and experiences. Aromatherapy can be a highly customized practice, tailored to your unique needs and preferences.

The Energies of Plants

Each plant has its own energy. Some are cooling, like peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus, while others are warming, like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. By paying attention to the subtle changes in your body and mind when you smell these different aromas, you can learn to identify these energies. As you become more attuned to how your body reacts to various aromas, you can start blending them to create transcendent experiences.

Learning how to connect to these energies requires us to take a look into the composition of plants themselves, more specifically their essential oils. There are other ways to administer aromatherapy like incense or steam baths, but diffusing essential oils is where I’ll focus today. Perhaps I can touch on the other ways in coming posts, just let me know if you’re interested!

Understanding Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from the steam distillation of plant material, resulting in a potent, concentrated oil. Some oils, like citrus essential oils can also be obtained by pressing the peels. These oils are powerful and need to be diluted before use. If using topically, always ad to a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation. When diffusing essential oils, just a few drops are needed to fill a room with their aroma.

Due to their volatility, essential oils evaporate easily at room temperature, giving them their intense aromas—perfect for aromatherapy. While diffusing essential oils is a great way to practice aromatherapy, you can also use candles or scented lotions made with plant-derived essential oils (avoid artificial fragrances).

How Essential Oils Affect Your Mood

Now that you’re familiar with essential oils, let’s explore how they can affect your mood. These aromas work by triggering different responses in our brain and body. For example, oils with calming effects typically activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which tells our bodies to slow down and relax. Conversely, oils can also help you focus, meditate, or even set a romantic mood. Aromas can also be used for medicinal purposes, such as easing a cough or menstrual pains. The possibilities are endless!

Aromatherapy for Beginners

When approaching a new form of herbal medicine, it’s helpful to set your intent. Focus on one aspect at a time, like using an oil blend in the morning to awaken your senses or a touch of lavender before bed to ease into sleep. Whatever it is that you are trying to achieve, set that intent as you prepare your diffusion.

Collect your oils and prepare your diffuser with fresh water (distilled preferred to prevent mold), add just a few drops of your chosen oil, and let the aroma envelope you! Start with just a couple drops until you get a feel for each oil’s strength. Everyone reacts differently to plants, so what works for some might not work for you.

If you do not have a diffuser a great DIY method is to just use a pot of water. Bring a small pot of water to a simmer, keep the water just below boiling. Then add your oils and embrace their aromas! When using this method I find that I do need to use more oil, but simply add a few more drops when the scent needs renewing.

The Energies of Different Essential Oils

Below is a chart of several different essential oils and their energies. Blending oils can enhance your aromatherapy experience even more!

Essential Oils

Anise- Awaken and ease respiration. Use sparingly.

Basil- Stimulate and focus. Respiratory tonic.

Cedarwood- Grounding but awakening. Aphrodisiac.

Cinnamon- Awaken love and energize your spirits.

Citronella- Freshen and uplift.

Clove bud- Strong and spicy, cleansing.

Cypress- Motivate and awaken your drive.

Eucalyptus- Cool, calm, and clear out.

Fir- Soothe anxiety and ground. Great for respiratory health.

Frankincense- Ground and expel, surprisingly calming for its intensity.

Jasmine- Very floral and uplifting, I add just a drop for floral nostalgia.

Juniper- Calm, purify and cleanse.

Lavender- Calm and attract love.

Lemon- Uplift and direct the mind.

Lemongrass- Energize and ground.

Lime- Brighten and renew.

Melissa or Lemon Balm- Ease depressing and anxiety.

Mugwort- For dreamwork.

Myrrh- Very woodsy, for meditation. I usually blend this oil with others.

Orange- Uplift and awaken.

Peppermint- Cool and calm.

Pine- Clear your mind.

Rosemary- Stimulate and Refresh. Expectorant for the lungs.

Sage- Cleanse and ease nerves.

Spearmint- Less intense than peppermint but similar properties. Cooling, but sweet.

Tea Tree- Cool and clear.

Thyme- Cool and expel.

Vetiver- Ground and meditate.

White Camphor- Warming, eases pain.

Ylang Ylang- Relieve stress and anxiety.

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