Aromatherapy has been used for centuries, but modern research is now helping us understand why certain scents can influence how we feel. Far from being "just nice smells," essential oils interact directly with the brain's emotional and physiological centres.
How Scent Reaches the Brain
When we inhale an aroma, tiny molecules travel through the nose to the olfactory bulb, a structure closely linked to two key regions:
- •Amygdala processes emotions such as fear, stress, and comfort.
- •Hippocampus is involved in memory formation and emotional learning.
Because scent bypasses the rational thinking pathways and communicates directly with these areas, certain aromas can quickly shift mood, create a sense of calm, or stimulate alertness (Fung et al., 2021; Thangaleela et al., 2022).
What Research Shows
Although aromatherapy is not a replacement for clinical treatment, studies highlight several meaningful effects:
Lavender has been shown in clinical and meta-analytic studies to reduce anxiety, soften stress responses, and improve sleep quality.
Citrus oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, and yuzu can increase feelings of energy and support mood elevation, partly through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Woody notes such as cedarwood and ho wood may help regulate the nervous system, grounding the mind and easing tension.
Rose and geranium are associated with emotional balance and protection against stress-related cellular changes.
These effects are thought to occur through olfactory influence on the limbic system and subtle interactions with the autonomic nervous system, which governs our stress and relaxation responses.
Why the Body Has a "Preferred Scent"
Many people find they are naturally drawn to certain scents. This is not random. The body often seeks aromas that help regulate the system that is currently out of balance.
- •When the mind feels scattered, grounding scents may feel comforting.
- •When emotions feel heavy or stagnant, bright citrus notes may feel uplifting.
- •When stress is depleting energy, soft floral or wood notes may feel restoring.
This intuitive attraction reflects the close link between olfactory processing, memory, and emotional regulation.
Aromatherapy as a Supportive Wellness Tool
While aromatherapy should not be considered a medical treatment, it can be a meaningful part of a wellbeing routine. When blended thoughtfully and used mindfully, essential oils can create small but powerful shifts that help individuals:
- •find calm in stressful moments
- •lift their mood
- •reconnect with their body
- •establish rituals that support emotional balance
Clinical and systematic reviews show aromatherapy to be an effective complementary approach for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation in both clinical and everyday settings.
At Essence of Balance, each blend is crafted to honour both the traditional wisdom of Chinese medicine and contemporary scientific understanding of the mind–body connection.
Small shifts in scent can create space to breathe, to settle, and to reconnect with yourself.
Click on the in-text citations to access references to the research articles.