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 By Ana Elena Sastrias, Natural Aromatherapy Teacher Do Scents Change Our Minds? Before exploring how scents influence our emotions, it’s essential to understand what emotions are. Emotions are strong feelings that arise from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. They are physical and mental states triggered by neurophysiological changes, linked with thoughts, behaviours, and bodily responses. Emotions are essentially reactions to external or internal events and situations, shaped by the context in which they occur. Research has shown that different scents can evoke a wide range of emotional responses— shifting our moods and feelings in distinct, often powerful ways. How do Scents act on our Emotions? The connection between scent and emotion lies in the biology of our olfactory system and its direct link to the brain. When we inhale, aromatic molecules are captured by the olfactory epithelium, a region inside the nasal cavity that contains 6 to 10 million receptor cells. These cells have tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which are coated in a thin layer of mucus. This mucus is essential in trapping and transporting the scent molecules. The olfactory bulb—a structure about 2 to 5 square centimetres in size at the base of the brain—acts like a computer chip. It receives the information from the olfactory nerves, filters and partially decodes the scent, and passes the signal to the olfactory tract. From there, the signal travels to several brain areas, including: • The Amygdala • The Hippocampus • The Thalamus • The Orbitofrontal Cortex These regions are key components of the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotions. This is significant: smell is the only sense directly connected to the limbic system, which is why scents have such a strong emotional impact. The Healing Frequencies of Nature Natural olfaction gives us access to the vibrational frequencies of raw materials such as rose, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, and frankincense. Each of these plants carries unique energetic properties and healing potential. • Natural perfumery combines the art of creating aesthetically pleasing fragrances with the therapeutic benefits of natural raw materials. • Natural aromatherapy uses these materials specifically for healing purposes—to treat physical, emotional, or mental conditions. Emotions and Aromatherapy Since ancient civilizations, emotions have been studied and classified. Modern psychology often identifies six core emotions:  • Joy
• Fear • Sadness • Anger • Shame or Disgust • Surprise Newer models propose seven or eight core emotions, with subsets branching out from each. One widely used tool is the Wheel of Emotions, which helps therapists and individuals identify complex emotional states and their interconnections. Natural aromatherapy has proven to be a valuable complementary therapy for emotions that become imbalanced or toxic—affecting our health, relationships, and mental clarity. For example: • Citrus scents (like orange, lemon, bergamot) are associated with joy, warmth, optimism, and confidence. Floral notes (such as rose and Roman chamomile) can reduce anger, frustration, and emotional tension. • Rosemary enhances alertness and improves memory retention. • Eucalyptus is used to refresh the space and relieve stress, clear the mind. • Sandalwood, Cedarwood have grounding properties helping to calm the nerves and increase focus. These scent-based therapies help individuals focus, rebalance, and reconnect with more harmonious emotional states. The Future of Emotional Scent Therapy With the advent of AI, new research is emerging in the field of animal emotions, decoding non-verbal expressions with up to 89% accuracy. This opens up exciting possibilities for understanding emotional communication not just in humans, but across species. Natural aromatherapists may soon work alongside counselors, psychologists, and even AI systems to address trapped or blocked emotions, supporting individuals in processing and releasing these feelings in a healthy and balanced way. Natural Perfumotherapy: The Art and Science of Emotional Scents Natural Perfumotherapy is a holistic discipline that unites: • Natural olfaction (how we perceive raw scents) • Fragrance design from an artistic and aesthetic point of view • Aromatherapy knowledge to promote emotional and physical healing This fusion creates a powerful tool for enhancing emotional well-being, expanding the possibilities for how we care for our minds and spirits—one scent at a time. If you want to know more about Natural Aromatherapy, enrol for a 4 weeks intensive online course with Ana Elena Sastrias. https://www.teachers-academy.org/learn-natural-aromatherapy.html
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 By Creezy Courtoy, Perfume Historian and Anthropologist Sage is utilized in perfumes for its aromatic and earthy qualities. It can add depth and complexity to fragrance compositions. Sage is often used in both men's and women's fragrances and is appreciated for its fresh, herbal notes. Sage is also added in food, infused in tea or burned as incense without realizing that it has long been considered sacred and a holder of true magical powers. Druids attributed to it the ability to resurrect the dead. As for Native Americans, they burned its branches to purify the soul. Nowadays, some shamans continue to use it before a ceremony to rid themselves of distracting thoughts. Sage's powers have been recognized worldwide for centuries. In Egypt, it is said that after a violent epidemic of plague, it stimulated the fertility of the survivors to repopulate the decimated city. It is also said to have protected four bandits who robbed the victims of the great epidemics. Upon their arrest, they confessed to coating themselves with a vinegar made from sage before each crime to avoid contagion. You still can purchase this vinegar today: it is the 4 Thieves Vinegar. In Europe, people did not hesitate to throw sage onto the witch's pyre or to use it to chase away demons. And even today, some people burn it to purify a place. So, is sage a bit of a magician? Perhaps, but you will see that it is also a healer recognized by the scientific community. In a competition with six other aromatic herbs in a study from the University of Rome, sage won the title of the "most antioxidant" plant. It easily surpassed the antioxidant champions like basil, parsley, and rosemary. Its virtues are now validated by numerous scientific studies. Its content of rosmarinic acid (also found in rosemary) makes it an excellent tonic and stimulant. It is therefore recommended for digestive disorders. It stimulates the liver, stomach, and intestines. It soothes pain and nausea. Traditionally, a leaf of sage was chewed after heavy meals to aid digestion. Sage is also considered as woman's best friend. If you are having trouble recovering from a long illness, sage can help you get back on your feet. It is highly recommended in cases of severe nervous fatigue and effectively relieves many symptoms such as weakness, depression, or loss of appetite. A study has also shown that sage boosts cognitive abilities and reduces anxiety in stressed individuals. It may even have a positive effect on the mood and memory of people with Alzheimer’s. Thus, when symptoms are moderate, taking 60 drops of sage in alcoholic extract daily for 4 months would significantly improve test results. Sage likes to take care of everyone, but it is particularly attentive to women. Thanks to its estrogenic action, it alleviates hormonal disorders, especially during menopause. It helps the body adapt to change and reduces hot flashes, depression, or dizziness. For women of childbearing age, sage would stimulate fertility and the onset of menstruation in cases of amenorrhea. It is also used in late pregnancy to promote the onset of labor by decreasing progesterone levels. However, it is better to avoid it if you wish to breastfeed, as it decreases milk production. It is also not recommended in cases of hyperestrogenism. Who has sage in their garden? The Provençals would not deny the healing virtues of sage, nor its excellent ability to season dishes. They even have a saying dedicated to it: "He who has sage in his garden needs no doctor!"  Here are 6 ways to enjoy the benefits of sage: In food: it matches perfectly with fish or pasta In infusion: Let 15 to 20 g of leaves per liter (5 or 6 leaves per cup) steep for 10 minutes. Drink a cup after each meal and one before bed to combat night sweats. In decoction: Put 100 g of the plant per liter of water, boil for 5 minutes, then let steep for 10 minutes. You can then use it as a topical application for ulcers and other skin issues. In bath: Prepare sage in decoction, then pour the preparation into bathwater to combat rheumatic pain. In incense: "When burning White Sage incense, negative ions are released into the air and letting positive moods in us." Vennie Chou (Teacher at the Natural Perfumery Teacher's Academy) In natural perfumes (perfumotherapy): find hereby several perfumes composed with sauge.
CedarTé by Porcelaine Perfumery https://porcelainperfumery.com/collections/cedarte Chaparral by Illuminated Perfume https://www.illuminatedperfume.com/products/chaparral-natural-solid-perfume B is for Bison by Illuminated Perfume https://www.illuminatedperfume.com/products/b-for-bison-solid-perfume-in-glass-jar Agarita by Scents of the Texas Hill Country https://scentsofthetexashillcountry.com/shop/ols/products/texas-tubing Cypress Mill by Scents of the Texas Hill Country https://scentsofthetexashillcountry.com/shop/ols/products/willow-city-loop Willow City Loop by Scents of the Texas Hill Country https://scentsofthetexashillcountry.com/shop/ols/products/el-humo-in-luckenbach/v/WC-LOOP3 Soothing Jasmine by AES Creation Naturel ÆS Création Naturel - Wellness Line - Soothing Jasmine (has Clary Sage) Oil perfume fragrance in roll-on with Jojoba Oil Carrier. All these brands belongs to certified natural perfumers following the New Luxury Code and the IPF Standards for Natural Perfumery. |
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