Ready to set the mood? Whether you want to promote romance or just unwind, aromatherapy may be just what the doctor ordered. While the term aromatherapy is often used to describe sweet-smelling candles, soaps, or bath salts, the study of scent, which uses essential oils to promote physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being, dates back thousands of years to Ayurveda, the world’s oldest form of medicine.

An Ancient Art

“Aromatherapy is among the most therapeutic and rejuvenating alternative therapies practiced today,” says Valerie Gennari Cooksley, RN, author of Healing Home Spa. “One hundred percent pure and authentic essential oils contain unique healing properties that can both prevent and alleviate an array of health problems.” Use aromatherapy to aid in relaxation, release stress and anxiety, rejuvenate, invigorate, and promote mental clarity. “Some essential oils even enhance memory,” Cooksley adds.

“Diffusing pure essential oils into the air is a wonderful way to set a mood,” says Tom Havran of Aura Cacia. This way “the oil’s tiny molecules are inhaled and transported to the limbic system of the brain, where they can directly influence mood.” As the brain receives odor messages, it releases various neuro-transmitters. Specifically, endorphins have been linked to sexual feelings, enkephalins fight pain and promote a sense of euphoria, while serotonin aids in relaxation.

Room mists, essential oil burners, and diffusers effectively release essential oil molecules into the atmosphere. While an electric diffuser conveniently plugs into a wall outlet and may be left unattended, a traditional burner (which uses a candle to heat a small dish of water mixed with oils) can help create a warm, romantic ambience. Lamp rings, which fit over a light bulb, are another option that requires attention.

A Variety of Scents

No matter how you plan to use aromatherapy oils, you’ll find an abundant selection for every mood:

• For a revitalizing scent, choose oils including basil, melissa, peppermint, petitgrain, rosemary, grapefruit, and clary sage.
• To help promote calm and relaxation while relieving stress, select chamomile, lavender, myrrh, neroli, and valerian.
• For romance, try florals like rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, and neroli, or use potent, earthy scents like sandalwood, vetiver, and patchouli.
• For a warm, spicy aroma to heat up a cold, wintry night, use oils like nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, amber, frankincense, and myrrh.

If you’re selecting essential oils for a diffuser or burner, use individual oils or experiment by combining a few drops of your favorites. To help you avoid guesswork, natural products retailers offer a variety of essential oil blends to suit every mood. Some manufacturers even categorize aromatherapy oils with descriptions like “focusing,” “reviving,” or “cheering” on the label.

Follow Your Nose

Selecting aromatherapy products and essential oils is not always as simple as you might think. Extracted from oil sacs in barks, flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds, pure plant oils require special distillation techniques to produce fragrant oil concentrates.

“There are a lot of adulterated, synthetic versions of oils available. And it can be hard to tell the difference if you’re not familiar with essential oils. But your nose will know. If you can detect a gaseous, harsh, alcohol-like odor from the bottle, the oil may have been stretched with an alcohol,” explains Cooksley.

Pure essential oils come in a wide price range. A half-ounce bottle of a less expensive oil (like lavender or tea tree) can sell for around $10, while higher-priced oils including carrot seed or frankincense can run close to $15.