Never before have we had so much choice in how we invite the scents from nature into our homes.
Did you know you are more likely to remember a smell over what you see, hear or touch?
We all have our own individual scent profiles based on our life experiences with scent. Take a moment to step back in time as you think of the perfume your grandma used to wear or of a walk in nature on a fun holiday.
Seasonal influences can play a role in our scent choices and here are the popular ones for spring:
- Green and fresh notes – hyacinth, freesia, carnation, cypress, grapefruit
Our personal scent profile subconsciously steers our decision-making process and we naturally gravitate towards the ones we enjoy the most. This links the science of aromachology (the study of psychological effects of natural and fine fragrance) with our mood and wellbeing, so always choose the scents you love. If you can, have a sniff before you buy, contrast and compare before making your decision.
Even if you’re not a fan of scented candles or diffusers you are already surrounded by so much scent in your home. There’s an abundance of air and carpet fresheners, floor cleaners, laundry powders and fabric conditioners to choose from. Contrary to popular belief, most perfumers are not creating the next fine fragrance but instead spend most of their time creating scents for our household cleaning products. As consumers, we have never had so much choice.
If your preference is to be fragrance-free, you may find these already have scent molecules included in their functionality. For those with allergies, always check the ingredients as you’ll often see Linalool and Geraniol listed. These are the naturally occurring aroma compounds found in Lavender, Rose and Geranium essential oils.
Currently there are 27 fragrance allergens (see the ingredients list on the back of products), many of which occur naturally in essential oils. Always check who is sharing your air space (including pets) for sensitivities, e.g. one of our clients is unable to visit any friends’ homes if they use lavender scents.
When it comes to introducing aesthetic fragrance into our homes with candles, diffusers, essential oils and fragrance burners, there are literally thousands to choose from. In a recent survey of over 100 of our clients, their favourites for scented candles and diffusers in their homes were clean, fresh aromas closely followed by citrus ones.
Here are our clients’ top five wellness favourites from our online Botanical Mood Bar. These uplifting and refreshing aromatherapy oils will help to boost your mood.
- Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
- Juniper berry (Juniperus communis) – think gin!
- Lime Distilled (Citrus aurantifolia)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Rosemary Cineole CT (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Please note that essential oils do not come with a list of fragrance allergens. These, as well as any contraindications, are studied in-depth by professional aromatherapists. Enjoy exploring the world of scent.
For more information on how to use essential oils safely in your home, please contact your professional aromatherapist.
Alison MacColl
BSc Complementary Therapies (Aromatherapy) with Distinction, Cert. Teaching
@ladieslovefragrance Bespoke Aromatherapy & Perfumery
17.04.20
