Using essential oils aromatically is as easy as breathing. If you use an oil “aromatically,” it means that you’re experiencing the aromatic properties, the aroma of the oil, through the air. Aromatic use typically includes breathing in or inhaling an essential oil, allowing the scent to interact with your senses.
Our sense of smell is a powerful tool. Think of what it feels like when you inhale the lovely aroma of a favourite flower, or when you enjoy the nostalgic smell of bread baking in the oven. Think of what happens in your heart and mind when you take in the scent of a Christmas tree, breathe deep while standing near a salty ocean, or inhale as you walk past freshly cut grass. The sense of smell can produce significant responses, depending on the aroma. Think back to —what really are essential oils? We established that they’re aromatic compounds, which means they have the ability to disperse through the air quickly. You’ll also remember that essential oils are considered volatile, meaning they change quickly from a liquid to a gas. This allows us to experience an essential oil’s aroma quickly and easily—even from the exact second a bottle is opened. Using essential oils aromatically offers many benefits. As already discussed, essential oils can influence us in a variety of ways. You can train your brain to respond in specific ways to an oil.
This is a powerful tool. If you pair an oil with a relaxing or calming action, such as meditating, journaling, or deep breathing, smelling that oil later helps your mind recreate the calm you experienced the first time. Your mind starts to associate the state of calm with the essential oil you chose.
Not only are essential oils useful for evoking a memory and feeling, but they can help you change your external environment. Perhaps you want to create a feeling of calm tranquility in your bedroom. Or maybe you’d like your home to feel uplifting as soon as someone walks through the door. You can even transform a dreary cubicle into an oasis with the lovely aromas of essential oils.
Another major benefit of aromatic usage is that essential oils can purify the air. By using oils with purifying properties, you can dispel unwanted odors and replace them with pure, pleasant aromas. Many of the air-purifying products on the market—like candles or air fresheners—contain toxins and synthetic chemicals, which makes using essential oils even more desirable. If you use high-quality oils that are free from contaminants and fillers, they provide a safe, natural way to purify the air in any room, avoiding having to inhale harmful toxins. Essential oils like Tea Tree, Lemon, and Eucalyptus are particularly known for their cleansing and purifying properties. What’s the best way to use essential oils aromatically? Diffusion is one of the most effective ways of enjoying essential oils aromatically and is most efficiently accomplished with an essential oil diffuser. An essential oil diffuser takes an oil and transforms it into a mist—or microscopic droplets—so you can experience the aroma of the oil for an extended period. It’s important to remember that essential oils have delicate chemical structures, so you never want to use a diffuser that could alter the chemical profile of the oil by using heat. It’s best to stick with diffusers that use water or cold air to diffuse. While diffusers do make it easy to use essential oils aromatically, you can also experience the aromatic benefits of an oil without a special diffusing device. Simply inhaling an essential oil straight from the bottle or placing a drop in your hands, rubbing the palms together, and inhaling will allow you to receive its benefits. Consider placing an essential oil diffuser in your kitchen and diffusing uplifting or cleansing essential oils such as Spearmint, Lime, or Grapefruit. When you’re getting ready for bed at night, diffuse oils like Lavender or Sandalwood to create a relaxing environment. If your teenager’s room is starting to smell a little . . . stale, try diffusing refreshing essential oils like Wild Orange, Lemongrass, or Douglas Fir. You can even place several different oils in the same diffuser to create a custom blend. The possibilities are endless