Mood Menders

Get out the Lavender: A custom blend of essential oils can lift your spirits and calm your nerves.

By Colleen K. Dodt

Partial Excerpt:

     It’s common knowledge that smell effects how we feel. What we consider as “good” smells
     can lift our spirits, … … … In fact, the French word sentir means “to smell” and “to feel.”
     We tend to feel scents rather than logically process them - - - understanding them more
     through associations and images than by analytical methods. This is because the human
     brain processes smells in its limbic region, which appears to be primarily responsible for
     our emotions. Interestingly, the limbic system is often called the rhinencephalon or “smell part”
     of the brain. Several studies show that emotion and odors are directly linked and have been
     found to produce some of the same electrical impulses.

     Essential oils contain natural phyto-chemicals that impact the limbic system. When you inhale
     the scent of the oil, the brain releases various neuro-chemicals to create physiological changes
     in the body, mind and spirit. When you smell lavender, for example, serotonin gets released,  
     producing a calming influence in the body.

The article goes on to address the easiest and most common ways to benefit from essential oils. It details a variety of base oils, also called carrier oils, which make essential oils more versatile by cutting their strength without greatly reducing their effectiveness or aroma. The article includes a few essential oil recipes to help you relax or pleasure your body. It also lists six of the author’s picks for “Mood Menders”: Lavender, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Patchouli, Rosewood and Sandalwood.

The full article appeared in the September 2005 issue of Alternative Medicine; pages 105 and 106;  HeavenScent is a paid subscriber to this monthly magazine. Subscriptions are available at alternativemedicine.com.

Colleen K. Dodt is a long-time herbalist and author of The Essential Oils Book (Storey Publishing, 1996) and Natural Baby Care.   Please support those that support us, like "ThePowerHour with Joyce & Dave" and purchase Colleen's books  by calling 1-877-817-9829.