Have you ever noticed how a specific scent can instantly transport you back to a cherished memory or evoke deep emotions? That’s the remarkable power of scent—a power rooted in ancestral wisdom and ancient practices.
For thousands of years, cultures like those in China, India, and Egypt have used aromatic oils not just for their healing properties but also as part of sacred menstrual rituals and holistic self-care. These plant-derived scents were believed to connect individuals with the Divine feminine, enhancing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
So, how does scent or aromatherapy work on our emotional state?
Before diving deeper, let’s cover the basics:
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using natural plant extracts, known as essential oils, to promote health and wellness. These oils support holistic women’s care by balancing body, mind, and spirit. They are especially useful during periods, aligning with practices of sustainable menstruation and eco-friendly self-care rituals.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are potent plant extracts obtained by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant—flowers, bark, roots, or fruits. These oils capture both the fragrance and the therapeutic properties that can promote menstrual wellness, enhance relaxation, and support overall well-being.
How Does Scent Affect Our Emotions?
Every time we inhale a scent, whether walking down a street or using essential oils for menstruation, it travels through our nasal passages, directly activating the limbic system—the brain’s center for emotions and memories.
- If you have a memory linked to a specific scent, that fragrance can trigger feelings, emotions, and even hormonal responses associated with that memory. Imagine inhaling lavender to recall moments of peace or rose to evoke love and compassion.
- If there’s no memory tied to a scent, the unique compounds in that fragrance still influence our emotional state. For example, citrus oils can uplift and energize, while floral scents can open the heart to feelings of empathy and care.
The olfactory system is also linked to the hypothalamus, which controls vital functions like stress, sleep, and libido. By stimulating the pituitary gland, aromatherapy can influence hormone production, making it an essential part of holistic self-care rituals.
Quick Summary
Whether you're using aromatherapy to honor your cycle, engage in self-care, or connect with the wisdom of ancient menstrual rituals, scents have a profound impact. They can uplift your mood, balance your hormones, and enhance the harmony of your mind, body, and spirit.
At Lunam, we believe in harnessing the power of eco-friendly period products and aromatherapy wellness. Our essential oil blends are crafted to support you throughout your menstrual cycle, honoring the divine feminine within and promoting sustainable, holistic care.
So here at LUNAM we have created aromatherapy products to help us throughout our 4 monthly archetypes.
Written by: Catalina Sardi