As the saying goes, “The nose knows.” That’s never clearer than when we walk into a room and inhale. What do we smell? The lingering odor of last night’s dinner in the kitchen…a musty scent in the bedroom…a feeling of “dead space” when you walk into the dining room. These types of sensual perceptions influence the way we experience a room. In fact, you may feel less productive, less sociable or just a bit lethargic in a particular space. Aromatherapy, the use of plant extracts and essential oils to affect mood and promote health, can help. Essential oils can be applied to the skin or inhaled (carefully—they’re powerful!) to soothe a variety of health conditions. And they can be used to enhance the atmosphere of your home.
How they work: When inhaled (even from across a room), the aromas of essential oils are “decoded” by our olfactory system and a particular “message,” depending on the oil used, is sent to our emotional system, where it affects our well-being. Our editors spoke to expert herbalist Brigitte Mars, author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies (Fair Winds) about how essential oils can help enhance each room of your home…
Each essential oil is known to elicit a specific emotional response. Most people know that lavender is calming, whereas orange is stimulating. But there are many others to choose from. You’ll have to decide about the ambience—and the aroma—you would like in each room. Because many essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties, you also are making the air more healthful at the same time. Suggestion: Use a scent in only one or two rooms at a time—having a scent in every room at once could put you into olfactory overload. To give you an idea of how these essential oils can be used, let’s take a walk around your home to find out how essential oils can “clear the air,” so to speak.
Bedroom
Oils: Chamomile, lavender, tea tree.
For: Tranquillity, peace, sleep.
Living/Dining room
Oil: Orange.
For: Encourages socializing and lively conversation. Brightens a room and makes it less stale.
Foyer
Oil: Rosemary.
For: Welcoming.
Kitchen
Oil: Lemon.
For: Fostering a family environment.
Oil: Cinnamon.
For: Freshness, uplifting.
Bathroom
Oil: Mint.
For: Energizing.
You’ll want to determine how much of the room you want to scent…
In a small space (such as a bathroom or next to a bed in the bedroom)… Put four to 10 drops of essential oil (depending on how strong you want it) on a cotton ball, and leave it in a small bowl or dish.
In larger spaces… Using an empty spray bottle, add about 10 drops of any essential oil to one cup of water. Spray up into the air but not toward wood furniture or the floor since the oils could stain the wood. The fragrance lasts for about 15 minutes. To get a longer-lasting effect, use a room diffuser, an electric device that creates a cold mist of the essential oil and water. Oils and diffusers are available at most health-food stores and online. Oils cost about $6 for one-half ounce…diffusers cost about $60 to $100.
