Aromatherapy is a popular therapy that has many applications, particularly for women. Because our sense of smell is intimately tied to our past and past experiences, it makes sense that when wanting to evoke a particular mood or emotion, that we turn to aromatic or quintessential oils to assist us. Essential oils can also assist us in ensuring the quality of our health, and in alleviating pain also.
Our sense of smell is tied to the olfactory bulb which is close to the limbic portion of the brain. This part of the brain is also known as the emotional brain, and if you think about it, so many of our past experiences can be closely linked to a scent or smell that was prevalent ?when we experienced strong emotions, whether positive or negative.
You may be walking down the street and catch a drift of scent from a house you are passing, and before you know it you are transported to a distant childhood memory when your grandmother was taking the laundry off the clothes line, fresh and clean and stiff with starch and scented with lavender flower. And then suddenly you may have a bittersweet feeling of loss because your subconscious mind tied that memory of your gran into your last visit to her house before she passed away.
Ah, memory and emotions are complex things!
So it makes sense that if you want to evoke a particular mood, emotion or state of being, that you should consider turning to essential oils to assist.
But what we don't tend to consider, is to use the power of aroma to assist us in regulating our moods and hormones, particularly since our moods and hormones play such a pivotal role in our health and the quality of our lives.
Here are three specific applications for essential oils that I'd like you to consider. The listed oils are tied to specific properties and we discover how they may help you to enlist some help when you want to achieve certain states or results:
Relieve PMT
This is often a frustrating time for a woman but also for her partner and close family. Hormonal balance is one of the precursors of a quality of life, not just emotionally but for total wellbeing. Some essential oils that are helpful during these times are:
- Borage seed
- Evening Primrose
- Jasmine
- Jonquil
- Mandarine
- Cypress
- Savory
- Aniseed
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Cardamom
Oils should be mixed in a base oil if being rubbed on the skin, so gentle cold pressed oils such as hazelnut, grapeseed or apricot kernel oil should be sourced for this purpose. You may also use these oils added to water in an oil burner, or a drop on the lightbulb of a lamp in the evening can also work for you!
Sensuality
Sensuality goes hand in hand with confidence. When you are feeling confident, no task is insurmountable. Stress is the enemy of confidence. When your confidence is high, your whole energy is different and you attract to you circumstances, people and opportunities that you just would not notice if you were feeling stressed or insecure. Ask a man what he finds irresistible and beautiful in a woman ? I can guarantee that a confident smile and demeanour are rated highly!
Some essential oils that are proven to boost confidence and sensuality and come to your rescue when you are feeling overwhelmed are:
- Carnation
- Rose Maroc
- Basil
- Vanilla
- Tonka Bean
- Grapefruit
- Mace
- Neroli
- Bergamot
- Verbena
Try combining Vanilla and Tonka Bean for releasing pent-up anger and frustration, leaving a soothing calmness in its wake. Or Grapefruit to lift the heart and the spirits!
Fertility
The rate of childlessness is an increasing trend in the western world, and this trend is heartbreaking to many couples who would dearly love to conceive. Add to this the stress of self-judgement, the well-meaning but ultimately devastating enquiries from family, friends, even strangers, on your family planning plans only makes things worse! Essential oils have been used with success in some of these cases ? no promises mind you, but it is a harmless, non-invasive, and pleasurable to the senses method to add to your fertility repertoire.
Some popular essential oils to enhance fertility, because they imitate the oestrogen hormone, are:
- Clary sage
- Cypress
- Thyme
- Parsely
- Anis vert
- Chamomile Roman
- Calendula
- Angelica
- Rose Bulgar
- Melissa
- Geranium
Try these oils, in isolation or find a blend that is pleasing to you.
And remember, essential oils should not be used during pregnancy, so remember that if you find success with these quintessential oils. Also, the rule of thumb with using essential oils is that “Less is more” – this means that if in doubt, subtlety of dose is better!
About the author
Estelle is the Editor and Founder of Smart Healthy Women Magazine. Founded online in 2013, SHW began as a wellness publication and evolved, over more than a decade, into a feminist political magazine, covering the health, economic, and political conditions shaping women's lives in a world that increasingly demands honest writing about both. SHW has published 677 articles and 56 themed digital issues featuring the work of more than 300 women writers.
