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The Emotional Effect of Aromatherapy

The emotional effect of aromatherapy happens as a result of the effects of essential oils on the brain's limbic system. The limbic system is the brain's emotional control center.

  1. Smell and the Limbic System

    • Odor molecules are transmitted though the olfactory bulb to the limbic system. Both the physical and emotional effects of essential oils occur because the limbic system is connected to areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, stress levels, memory, and hormone balance.

    Aromatherapy Emotional Effects

    • The emotional effect of an essential oil depends on its molecular structure. For example, the aldehydes and esters of certain essential oils are calming and sedating.

    Individual Reactions

    • The emotional effect of aromatherapy also depends on a person's physiology and any emotional connections to particular scents.

    Restoring Emotional Balance

    • Using aromatherapy to help restore emotional balance requires an in-depth knowledge of the properties of essential oils and an understanding of an individual's situation. Aromatherapy is often best used in combination with other forms of emotional therapy.

    Yin and Yang

    • The emotional effect of aromatherapy can also be associated with the psychological aspects of yin and yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For more information, see the book Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils by Gabriel Mojay.

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