Scents have a powerful effect on our mood. These three steps to scented harmony in your home are inspiring ways to use scents purposefully.
What have I learned?
According to the American National Library of Medicine, perfumes extracted from natural products have been used for mental, spiritual and physical healing since the beginning of recorded history. In Egypt, China and India, aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years.
Some of the most common scents used by the Egyptians were thyme, lavender, peppermint, cedar, rose, almond oil, and aloe. Ancient Chinese used spicy scents like cloves, camphor and musk to create incense, and used flowery scents from lotus, chrysanthemum and lilies for personal perfume, especially for women. In India, a wealth of different aromas were used for medicinal and religious purposes. The Dharma Dispatch quotes Gangadhara, an ancient Hindu scholar, as saying the final goal of perfumery is to “infuse semi-divinity within us and elevate our mind by freeing it from the mundane worries of the world.” Isn’t that lovely!
Now, we all know that different smells affect us differently. And several studies have shown that this is due to a fragrance’s direct and intrinsic ability to interact and affect the central nervous system. Good to know that there is science behind this – not just woowoo!
So here are my three steps to create scented harmony zones in your home
#1 Fragrance layering. This means creating a different ambience for each room – a bit like using feng shui – to create a harmonious, and happy, environment throughout the house.
So, for example, lavender and camomile in the bedroom is a lovely light scent that fosters a calm restful atmosphere. Perfect for relaxing and sleeping restfully.
For your work space, zesty citrus notes are bright and invigorating
The kitchen can feel cleansed and refreshed with candles like a Prices Cook’s Candle which has basil, patchouli and geranium scents. Wonderful!
#2 Live intentionally with scents. By linking certain tasks with certain aromas, you are in fact training your brain.
Wake up with fresh scents. Juniper is fresh and invigorating but if it’s too strong for you, try peppermint. Not just in toothpaste! It increases the activity of the brain from waking up – a great start to a busy day.
Lemon and rosemary can enhance focus and brain power. Keep these at your desk. Rosemary is also well known for improving memory. You might like rosemary tea – I don’t as it’s very strong and has a weird feel in my mouth. I do like hot water and a slice of lemon – especially on a cold day. Each to his or her own!
After a busy working day, use cedar, orange and lavender to reduce stress and start to wind down.
Use lavender and vetiver in the evening to relax and add calmness to your routine as you get ready for bed.
#3 Scent essentials. Choosing scents for your home is as personal as choosing your own fragrance.
Fresh flowers and foliage
No brainer (if you don’t have allergies). Unfortunately, fragrance is often missing from the hybrid varieties. British grown flowers, for UK buyers, are the best to choose. Seasonal and eco friendly, their scents seem authentic in a funny way.
Foliage can also add fresh fragrance to your home – such as pine, rosemary, myrtle and eucalyptus.
Did you know that if you burn a green stick of rosemary it acts like a stick of incense? Clears the air of unwanted smells! The same applies to eucalyptus leaves placed in a bowl of boiling water.
If you don’t want to buy flowers every week, these are your scent essentials
If you suffer from asthma, it’s worth starting with samples to find the best scent combination for you. In fact, I’d advise this for anyone who hasn’t tried scented candles – or is a bit reluctant to pay a high price for a candle that you might hate! (Me)
Candles and wax melts
We all know the big brands. I like to try small businesses and have found a couple that are well worth investigating.
Kate of Bous Candles uses wonderful scent combinations for her candles. She also uses wooden wicks that don’t smoke as much as regular wicks, and crackle as if you’re in a spa. Lyne of Edens Harvest UK has a micro business using wax from her own bees. Her scents are delicious – and her subscription boxes are a great way of giving someone a treat every month!
Diffusers – smokeless, and you can control the strength by how often you turn the reeds. And of course, you can keep the reeds and pop them in amongst your towels and linen. My favourites are from Fragonard – French and pricey, but fabulous.
Pillow Sprays A personal favourite! Spritz your pillow as you settle down to sleep. You will be surrounded in a beautiful cloud of scent to help you sleep. Lavender blends work for me. Glamour Magazine has a list of the best ones – it’s worth experimenting to find your perfect combination, especially as you’ll be immersed in it. Sprays that you like, but not enough to sleep with, can be used to freshen your linen and bathroom. Repurposing. No waste. Love it.
I’d love to know what your go-to fragrances are for your home and where you use them.
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