Many people underestimate the influence that odors have on our mental and physical health in comparison to our other senses. Yet, imagine life without them…
It would be a world without the scent of grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. There would be an absence of the volatile compounds emitted from the pine trees that tickle your nostrils as you take a brisk winter walk. Without these smells, life would be a much more boring existence. Do you agree?
With the increased amount of people experiencing the loss of smell within the past few years, perhaps our nose is now becoming more appreciated. However, it’s not just because odors enrichen our experiences that make them so vital.
Research has demonstrated that aromas affect our memory, mood, and biology. Furthermore, the volatile, aromatic compounds found in essential oils also impact biochemical, physiological, and neurological processes.
Essential oils’ ability to simultaneously modulate emotional and bodily health makes them one of my favorite mind-body modalities to use with clients. It also makes their use in perfect alignment with naturopathic principles and the functional medicine model. This is because as they soothe the mood, they also help to address multiple triggers (e.g. stress, microbes, environmental exposures, and immune burdens) that can lead to the manifestation of symptoms.
In my latest article and video, which is based on my publication in Townsend Letter, I dive deeper into the mind-body applications of essential oils. I highlight a case study of a client struggling with anxiety in which specific oils were a key intervention to assist her healing process.
Topics include:
- How Smell and Aromatics Affect the Mind-Body
- Using Essential Oils for Enhanced Treatment Outcomes
- 4 Things to Consider Before Applying Essential Oils in Clinical Practice
- The Case Study: Annie’s Courageous Story of Transforming Anxiety Using Various Essential Oil Formulations and a Naturopathic Wellness Protocol
Click here to access the full article and learn how essential oils may enhance your total mind and body wellness.
Please share your own experiences with essential oils below.
Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Resources for Hormonal and Mood Support
- Free resources and more education on essential oils and mind-body wellness are available to you here.
- More information on the Joyful Blend.
- If you are struggling with mental health issues, please seek professional help: National Mental Health Hotline
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Many blessings.
Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.
