The Garden SmellscapeOur sense of smell has an undeniable power to affect our moods and mental states. Inhaling the fragile aroma of a flower or aromatic plant can lift our spirits and calm anxieties. Catching the earthy scent of soil on a spring day can conjure up...
How Olfactory Training Can Improve Your Sense of SmellOur sense of smell, or olfaction, is incredibly important. Smells influence our mood, behavior, relationships, and health in ways we don't even realize. However, many people suffer from smell disorders that...
Smelling the fresh, woodsy aroma of pine or cedar can instantly transport you to a peaceful forest setting. But did you know that inhaling essential oils from conifer trees could also help you feel less stressed at the office? A recent study dug into this idea,...
A few weeks ago, I experienced an overwhelming panic attack that seemed to come on suddenly. I noticed my breathing get shallow and my heart start racing with anxious thoughts spiraling. In that moment, I decided to make an aromatherapy inhaler to help calm me down. I...
How the inhalation of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) helps reduce feelings and symptoms of burnout Background In my studies and application of aromatherapy, I have been interested in the relationship between the olfactory system and stress management. Many clients come to...
With so much emphasis these days on safety and essential oils, it seems that the challenge isn’t really about “more safety” but rather how shall we relate to it? How shall we interpret it so that it makes sense in our practice or general use of essential oils? And how...
My grandmother had dementia. In the decade before she passed away she didn’t know what day it was, where she was in the world, and, after I cut my hair, who I was. She’d circle her way through the same handful of conversational loops, and I’d play a game where I tried...
Raynaud’s Syndrome is a condition where blood vessels in a person’s extremities shut down when exposed to cold. It is caused by peripheral blood vessels overreacting to colder temperatures and can result in painful and discolored extremities. The Vagus Nerve New...
Raynaud’s Syndrome is a condition where blood vessels in a person’s extremities shut down when exposed to cold. It is caused by peripheral blood vessels overreacting to colder temperatures and can result in painful and discolored extremities. Raynaud’s syndrome was...
HPA axis dysregulation is fundamentally caused by stress, which can take many forms: Psychosocial stress (relationships, finances, housing insecurity, discrimination, etc.) Inflammation (diet, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, infection, insulin resistance) High...
“Adrenal fatigue” proponents are right about one thing: the stress of life can definitely be too much for the body to handle. It’s just not the adrenals that are the problem. Changes in cortisol production aren’t caused by a deficiency in the adrenal glands, but by...
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are either pregnant or know someone who is or will be. Congratulations! Pregnancy is a particularly beautiful time for a family, but it is not always the most comfortable time for the pregnant parent. Plant extracts, in the...