6 Ways to Use Aromatherapy for Mental Health Wellbeing

It’s a well-known fact that scents can have a powerful impact on our lives. Just a hint of a certain aroma can conjure up memories, whether they are good or bad, and even have a strong physical effect on you. That is why cultures all around the world have for centuries been using the sense of smell as a pathway to encourage health and healing, and unify the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives. Using scented candles and aromatic oils to calm emotions and soothe the mind, aromatherapy can be an ideal way of promoting health and stability. If you feel like you could use some extra help to improve your mental health and overall wellbeing, here are some ways you could incorporate aromatherapy into your life:

1. Bergamot citrus for anxiety

Having a very sweet, fresh and citrusy aroma, Bergamot is relaxing, yet very uplifting. Therefore, it has a regulating effect on the nervous system by promoting emotional stability. It has also been known to effectively lower anxiety levels and get rid of anger and fear by easing up the state of mind. Bergamot can be a great addition to an inhaler or a diffusing blend, paired with Red Mandarin or Lavender, but it can also be highly phototoxic, meaning that you shouldn’t expose your skin to the sun after application. For this reason, Bergamot is best inhaled, rather than used topically.

2. Blue Tansy for stability

Blue Tansy has a very beautiful dark blue shade, with an incredibly sweet and fruity scent and a camphor-like undertone. Particularly known for its ability to promote emotional stability, calm the mind and improve relaxation, Blue Tansy has been used to efficiently treat a number of psychological disorders throughout history. Blended with Atlas Cedarwood, Blue Tansy is especially effective at combating tension and anxiety.

3. Sandalwood for tranquility

Having a woody, balsamic and sweet aroma, intoxicating Sandalwood has a way of quieting the mind and slowing everything down. Although men tend to particularly like this aroma, it is not exclusive to them, and it could truly have wonderful benefits for everyone. Sandalwood has a strong influence on both the mind and the spirit, and it is best used in the form of wonderful candles that have a strong, pleasant scent bound to bring some peace and tranquility into your life.

4. Clary Sage for exhaustion

Clary Sage has a soft, sweet and musky scent with woody undertones. This oil is perfect for curing mental fatigue and emotional shock of any kind, as well as calming those prone to nervousness and stress. Known for being somewhat euphoric, Clary Sage is great for helping you renew your spirit and get you back on the right track after suffering any kind of emotional exhaustion.

5. Basil for concentration

Apart from being incredibly useful for the emotional state of mind, aromatic oils can help the brain improve with respect to memory and concentration, with Basil essential oil being one of the best options. This oil has a lively, fresh, spicy green note, making it ideal for sharpening the mind. It helps stimulate your brain and allows you to focus on the present moment and the task at hand, enabling you to make the most out of your day.

6. Lemon for lifting spirits

The essential oil of Lemon has a brilliant, crisp and clean scent that is often considered to be quite an uplifting antidepressant, even being used in hospitals, hospices, and with palliative care patients to greatly improve their mood. When inhaled, Lemon essential oil carries no medical contraindications, but it can increase sun sensitivity when it’s applied directly to the skin. So, for less risks and greater benefits, diffuse some Lemon essential oil and let it calm, lighten and refresh you, while dispersing confusion, easing worry and lifting your spirits.

The simplest way of using these beneficial ingredients is to let their aroma distribute through your room, whether by lighting a scented candle, using a diffuser or putting a few drops of essential oil into your bath. Aromatherapy is a very effective and quite inexpensive way to promote mental health and wellbeing, not only for your personal benefit, but also the people around you.