Emotional Aromatherapy

What is Emotional Aromatherapy?

Emotional Aromatherapy is an ancient healing art that uses essential oils and plant extracts. Many ancient cultures, including Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Roman understood the connection between aroma and emotions and mood. Recently, science has started to investigate ancient methods, finally recognising the link between scent and human emotion. They discovered that smells can trigger memories, stimulating emotional responses. These responses act as aromatic pathways, directing aroma to different areas of the brain, thus triggering specific emotional responses.

How Does Emotional Aromatherapy Work?

Eugenie Young – Depression Stress Anxiety IBS Colitis Arthritis Treatment Allergy Testing Reiki Healing Scotland – Emotional Aromatherapy 2

When we inhale the aromatic molecules produced by plants, this aroma is recognised and processed by the olfactory system in the brain, which is responsible for controlling our sense of smell. The olfactory system is connected to the limbic system that stores memories and emotions.

The scent travels first to the top of the nose, where it connects with the olfactory cells. These are specialised nerve cells, equipped with tiny hairs, that are geared to recognise specific aromas. They send nerve impulses to the limbic system, which then responds to the aroma based on the specific memories associated with it. This response alters your brain’s chemistry. A rush of feeling follows, causing mood change.

This amazing quality of Essential oils has been used by Aromatherapists to enhance well-being and manage emotions for thousands of years.

What Are the Properties of Essential Oils?

In general, essential oils can have either stimulating or calming effects. The ‘floral’ category of essential oils typically includes tree, herb, and grass oils that are composed of monoterpene alcohols that possess calming properties. These oils promote the sense of being grounded, and soothing and renewing properties, as they contain sesquiterpenes, esters, and oxides.

Conversely, mint oils have a high concentration of ketones and are energising and uplifting. Citrus oils, containing limonene, beta-pinene, and monoterpenes, have a highly uplifting effect. Many spice essential oils, coming from phenols, are known for their warming properties.

Do all People Respond to the Emotional Aromatherapy Similarly?

No. Our responses are very individual. This is due to the personal nature of our memories and triggers. Our reactions are also conditioned by our personal preferences, genetic makeup, environmental factors, and even the internal environment in our body, e.g. the presence of parasites, fungi or bacteria.

Another important factor is the quality of the essential oils themselves. Most shop-bought essential oils are not of sufficient quality to perform this work, due to both the processing method used and impurities added to the oil. This changes the chemical composition of the oil, thereby reducing its effectiveness. However, pure, organic oils preserve their untainted natural aroma. In my work, I use pure organic, therapeutic food-grade essential oils.

How Is Emotional Aromatherapy Being Used in My Practice?

As part of this therapy, you will receive an oil blend specifically prepared to tackle your individual emotional issue, whether it is grief, anxiety, stress, depression, emotional trauma, fear, phobia, etc. Your oils will be blended in a roller bottle and delivered into your body via the process of inhalation or on particular acupuncture points on the body.