The Power of Olfaction: Enhancing Wellbeing with Essential Oils

You may have noticed how some scents, aromas, or odours evoke emotions, or even memories. Perhaps it’s the smell of a freshly baked bread, just like your mother used to bake it in your childhood. Or maybe it’s the sweet, floral whiff from a girl passing you on the street, reminding you of your first perfume. It’s your olfactory system busy at work.

Olfaction and its effects on health and wellbeing is gaining more interested as a topic of research. Olfaction is also a key gateway to our bodies in aromatherapy. According to research, essential oil inhalation stimulates olfactory system – the part of the brain connected to smell, including the nose and brain. Molecules entering the nose or mouth travel to the lungs and from there to other parts of the body. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect limbic system (linked to emotions), heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and also memory. Thus, olfaction can play important role in balancing our daily mental wellbeing.

My 3-part essential oil chart covers 18 essential oils I find most useful, powerful and versatile from the holistic health perspective. All these oils can be applied to the self-care routines through olfaction. Some of the oils may pose other potential benefits not mentioned in the chart. I have only listed the benefits with most/best research evidence. The chart comes in three parts, or pages. The first part can be found HERE. The second part covers the following oils (INCI name in parentheses):

• Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus),
• Frankincense (boswellia carterii),
• Geranium (pelargonium graveolens),
• Lavender (lavandula angustifolia),
• Lemon (citrus limon), and
• Orange (sweet) (citrus aurantium dulcis).

Part three coming out soon!

With love and lots of goodness of Mother Nature,

Lulu

Disclaimer: these blog posts are not medical advisory. All ingredient descriptions are based on commonly available information. The benefits described are based on academic research studies. If you suffer from any skin condition or allergies, always consult first your GP/medical practitioner before trying new treatments on your skin.