The art of aromatherapy has been practiced for thousands of years. Strong evidence was found to link aromatherapy to many ancient traditions. Fennel, coriander seeds, cumin, and other aromatic elements have been found at numerous ancient burial sites. References in ancient texts to “magical perfumes” is believed to refer to the healing and uplifting properties of aromatherapy. Though aromatic oils have been used to treat and cure various ailments and conditions for centuries, the formal study on their properties only started in 1928.
In its most basic form, aromatherapy is the use of essential plant oils for therapeutic purposes. The parts of a plant are steamed or pressed and the compound which captures the fragrance is extracted. The essential oils that provide the aromatherapy hold high concentrations of the true essence of the plants from which they were derived. Typical uses are to relieve a person from stress and a variety of stress-related conditions, attract a love interest, inspire comfort and relaxation, and even to improve mental health challenges. Aromatherapy is also used to promote an individual’s general well being and invigorate the body and the psyche.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
Aromatherapy works by inducing the olfactory nerve cells with aromatic oils, which then carries a message to the limbic system in the brain. The limbic system is the part of the brain that is responsible for controlling memory and emotions.
Aromatherapy is involved with the workings of both the physical and emotional centers of the person under treatment. Physically, aromatherapy can help to relieve specific conditions through the stimulation of the nervous, immune, and circulatory systems. In emotions however, aromatherapy may evoke pleasant memories and uplifted moods.
Aromatherapy and Mental Health
Although the medical community is not in agreement over whether aromatherapy in itself is instrumental to healing various medical conditions, the idea of improved mental health outcomes through aromatherapy is widely accepted. Certain aromas are known to help reduce stress, calm anxiety, relieve headaches, and improve sleep quality. An aromatherapy spray can be used to curtail or minimize the effects of a panic attack.
Aromatherapy is currently practiced worldwide by medical doctors and certified aromatherapy practitioners to manage chronic pain, depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders, insomnia, and stress related disorders. A significant number of clinical trials have been conducted, affirming the use of psychoaromatherapy for psychiatric disorders. Many psychiatrists use aromatherapy as an initial therapy, as it doesn’t have the known adverse effects of many psychotropic drugs.
Aromatherapy Rituals for Mental Health
The earth is alive and is 4.5 billion years old. By combining plants and stones provided by the earth, we can provide some relief for ourselves from the most common mental health challenges. We have provided some aromatherapy rituals that will hopefully provide some relief.
Depression
If you are experiencing situational depression or even if you suffer from depressive disorder, this ritual can help you to center yourself and calm the dark thoughts that creep into your mind and soul.
Step One: Choose a Stone
If you are experiencing hopelessness and a sense of doom, smoky quartz is a great choice. It is known to be one of the most powerful grounding stones and can soothe fear, apathy, and anxiety. Hold this stone during this ritual and then keep it on your person.
If you are struggling with depressive disorder, lepidolite is a powerful stone to use. It can relieve unspecified worry and awaken confidence and self-care. Holding this stone during the session can dissipate negative thoughts and feelings and bring balance and calm.
Situational depression caused by a sad event can be dissipated with the help of citrine. Citrine brings optimism, joy, and enthusiasm and can help you to cope and rediscover the true meaning of your life.
Step Two: Choose an Aromatherapy Mist
High-quality, pure essence aromatherapy mists are important. Low quality, artificially fragranced mists can cause more harm than good. For relieving depression, we recommend either Lotuswei Joy Juice or True Strength mists. Joy Juice dissolves seriousness and the feeling of being weighted down and inspires euphoria and an appreciation of life. True Strength dissolves isolation and negative thought and magnifies wholeness and optimism.
Step Three: Respect and Cleanse Your Space
Rinse your stones with cold water to release past energies and cleanse them. Spray your space with the aromatherapy mist until you notice the energy feeling begin to shift.
Step Four: Set an Intention
Take a few deep, exaggerated breaths, holding them at the top and exhaling slowly. Hold the stone or stones close to you and meditate. Imagine the dark energy lifted off of you and a feeling of weightlessness. You may want to press the stone against your solar plexus chakra, the one associated with depression. Take as long as you would like in this place. When you are finished, spray yourself and your space again with the aromatherapy mist and carry the stones with you for at least 24 hours following the session.
Anxiety
If you are experiencing situational anxiety about an upcoming event or even suffering from an anxiety disorder, this ritual can help you calm your worry and panic and center your mind and soul.
Step One: Choose a Stone
If you are experiencing anxiety and need some support through a difficult situation, jasper is known to be the “supreme nurturer.” It dispels negative energy and inspires joy. Hold this stone during this ritual, and then keep it on your person.
If you feel that your anxiety stems from a lack of mental clarity, obsidian can help. It can promote clarity of mind and inner strength. Holding this stone during the session can provide a protective energy against anxiety and distress.
Tiger’s eye is another stone that can help release anxiety and insecurity. If you are prone to sudden panic attacks, keep a tiger’s eye palm stone with you at all times.
Step Two: Choose an Aromatherapy Mist
High-quality, pure essence aromatherapy mists are important. Low quality, artificially fragranced mists can cause more harm than good. For relieving anxiety, we recommend either Lotuswei Inner Peace or Inner Knowing mists. Inner Peace provides calm, and confidence and dispels high levels of overwhelm and fear. Inner Knowing helps you to trust your inner vision and liberate you through doubt. It dissolves fear and a sense of limitation.
Step Three: Respect and Cleanse Your Space
Rinse your stones with cold water to release past energies and cleanse them. Spray your space with the aromatherapy mist until the energy feeling begins to shift.
Step Four: Set an Intention
Take a few deep, exaggerated breaths, holding them at the top and exhaling slowly. Hold the stone or stones close to you and meditate. Imagine the dark energy lifted off of you and a feeling of weightlessness. You may want to press the stone against your solar plexus chakra, the one associated with anxiety. Take as long as you would like in this place. When you are finished, respray yourself and your space with the aromatherapy mist and carry the stones with you for at least 24 hours following the session.
Mood Swings
If you notice that your moods are inconsistent and quickly shifting from high to low, or even if you have a mood disorder, this ritual can help you to rebalance your mood and begin to feel more like your true self.
Step One: Choose a Stone
If you are experiencing moodiness and uncomfortable mood swings, clear quartz is a great stone to try. It is considered to be the “master healer” and can regenerate our moods.
If you feel that your mood swings are related to past trauma, rely on malachite to help release the negative energy causing the moods. Malachite is an emotional healing stone that brings peace.
If you find that you are quickly enraged, carnelian can help to overcome these reactions and transform negative emotions into pure joy.
Step Two: Choose an Aromatherapy Mist
High-quality, pure essence aromatherapy mists are important. Low quality, artificially fragranced mists can cause more harm than good. For relieving mood swings, we recommend either Lotuswei Gamechanger or Luminous Chi mists. Gamechanger provides freedom from extremes, prevents undisciplined reactions. Luminous Chi promotes powerful and intention engagement and dissolves feelings of being trapped or attacked.
Step Three: Respect and Cleanse Your Space
Rinse your stones with cold water to release past energies and cleanse them. Spray your space with the aromatherapy mist until the energy feeling begins to shift.
Step Four: Set an Intention
Take a few deep, exaggerated breaths, holding them at the top and exhaling slowly. Hold the stone or stones close to you and meditate. Imagine the dark energy lifted off of you and a feeling of weightlessness. You may want to press the stone against your sacral chakra, the one associated with an imbalanced distribution of energy over the body. Take as long as you would like in this place. When you are finished, respray yourself and your space with the aromatherapy mist and carry the stones with you for at least 24 hours following the session.
Why Do We Recommend Lotuswei Aromatherapy Mists?
With so many aromatherapy products available, it can be challenging to know which ones to trust. We have explored several brands of mists and only use Lotuswei. Katie Hess, founder of Lotuswei, is an expert in flower alchemy. She has gathered a flower essence library with more than 150 mists and elixirs that are being used in more than 50 countries. Her mists are flower essences combined with essential oils and infused in pure water. Her mists are certified organic, and are safe for babies and pets. People with flower allergies rarely react to these mists because they are purely distilled and infused.