Imagine Grounding with Smell

Essential Oils and Aroma Therapy 101

By Bluestone Psychological Services

Imagine the smell of freshly baked cookies or the whiff of a campfire on a crisp autumn evening. Grounding into the present moment through smell is effective. You may notice a memory pops into your thoughts, or sense an emotional shift such as coziness or relaxation.  Our sense of smell is more powerful than we may realize. It has a strong influence on our memories, thoughts, emotions, and mood.  The olfactory nerve that processes smell is directly connected to our limbic system; the part of the brain that plays a major role in controlling mood, memory, and emotion.  The perfume industry plays on this connection, seeking to develop fragrances that evoke an array of emotions and feelings including desire, vitality, power, and relaxation.

Centuries Old Aroma Mindfulness

Although the term aromatherapy and the popularity of essential oils may appear to be a fad or recent trend, the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils is centuries old.  Ancient civilizations frequently used essentials oils during rituals, religious ceremonies, and burials, recognizing the power of these oils on emotions.  Babylonians and Assyrians burned Frankincense during religious ceremonies due to its warm aroma that promotes feelings of peace and relaxation.  The soldiers of ancient Rome used Fennel before going into battle to help them feel strong and courageous.

Today, science helps us understand that essential oils are not just a pleasant scent, but have physical compounds that communicate with the chemistry of our endocrine and nervous systems.  Each essential oil has a unique chemical profile of often dozens of different compounds that determine its attributes, benefits, and the emotional response it can produce.

Find Your Smell and Ground Yourself

It is possible to choose an essential oil to elicit a specific emotional response based on the chemical compounds it contains.  For example, the compound linalool is known for its calming properties and ability to soothe the nervous system.  For someone who struggles with anxiety, using an essential oil that contains linalool such as Basil, Marjoram, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage, or Jasmine can be beneficial for easing their symptoms.

In most cases, an essential oil can be categorized as having either a calming or uplifting effect due to its chemical makeup.

Essential Oils Constituent Qualities:

Mint:  Commonly known to be uplifting and energizing due to a high concentration of ketones

Floral:  Typically contain monoterpene alcohols which provide calming properties

Tree, herb, and grass:  Primarily include sesquiterpenes, oxides, and esters which help promote grounding emotions and feelings of renewal

Citrus:  Contain chemical components like beta-pinene, monoterpenes, and limonene which have significant uplifting characteristics

Spice:  Provide warming qualities due to containing phenols

Other Mindfulness Approaches

Smell is a successful grounding approach to our mental wellness. Consider your other sense as well to connect yourself to the moment. Contact us for guided, collaborative counselor for your comfort. Fill out our quick, easy form to get started.

 

Add’l content provided by:

Diane C. Sallade, MSEd, LPC

David A. Morris, LCSW