Aromatherapy - What is it and can it be helpful to you at this time?

‘Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to enhance mood and promote good health. It stimulates our senses and evokes emotions through scent.’ That’s the official description. But can it really make a difference to our mood? Well, you may think that’s a load of old tosh but if you give it a try and end up having a nice soak in the bath or sit quietly by the light of a scented candle then the very act of just taking that moment for self care may help and the aromatherapy would be an added bonus.

Not all essential oils are equal and personal preferences can vary. We all have our likes and dislikes and if you really don’t like a particular smell then don’t use it. Other than that you can tweak the balance of combining various oils. If you buy ready prepared products then they may well already have a combination of oils.

Helen Keller was an exceptional lady, despite becoming both deaf and blind at age 19 months, she went on to become a prolific author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. I remember learning about her at school and being inspired by the story of her life. She wrote,

“Smell is a potential wizard that transports you thousands of miles and through all the years you have lived.”

Maybe that’s a more exciting way to describe how important our sense of smell is and how it has the power to take us back to good (or bad) memories.

When you are stressed or over emotional you may be more sensitive to strong/overpowering smells. If you like a particular essential oil but feel overwhelmed then try diluting the scent a little or pick an alternative. The world of essential oils is vast and diverse.

On a personal note I can tell you that when my Mum died quite suddenly I craved the scent of roses. I looked for rose soaps and face washes and used them for many months. I had no idea why but just went with the flow.

It’s such a busy time organising and planning events around a death plus caring for those other family members also impacted by that death. There is little time to consider ones own needs. For me just having the scent of roses nearby was a quick and easy choice to make for me. So, this might be something to consider for you too. And that’s why I’m writing this - to be helpful and offer support at a difficult and emotional time.

What benefits do the different scents promote?

I am going to focus on the scents that are grief specific. There are quite a few that help with the intense emotional feelings of grief and sadness.

As I’ve mentioned Rose already I will start with that-

Rose is a mood booster. It can help with depression. It is calming. All these improvements combined help to reduce fatigue.

Lavender is an obvious one. It is a calming and peaceful scent that can help with sleep and reduce stress.

Ylang-ylang is a sweet and intense exotic floral fragrance. It is similar to lavender in that it helps with stress and tension and encourages relaxation.

Frankincense is a woodier scent. It also helps to reduce tension and helps to uplift the spirit.

Orange, and the citrus based scents are uplifting and refreshing. They can help with mood and energy.

Bergamot is included in this citrus group. It may help with insomnia, anxiety and depression.

Ginger is a stimulant. It can reduce lethargy, fatigue and sadness. Grieving is exhausting and may make you feel sluggish. So, having ginger may uplift your mood and give you the boost you need to get through the day.

Aromatherapy with targeted essential oils won’t numb the pain or replace the grieving process entirely but can be beneficial for emotional release and soothing to the soul.

Don’t forget that if you instinctively don’t like a particular smell then why not pick another one to try instead. The properties of the different oils overlap. Choose bergamot over orange. Maybe grapefruit instead of ginger? Or try a combination of 2 or 3 different scents.

Of course a mug of camomile or ginger tea might help too. Or adding a slice of lemon to your cup of early grey tea, if that’s your tipple!

Footnote. As I wrote this I had a candle releasing the scent of lemon, rosemary and vanilla to help me settle and focus on my task of writing.