The wonder of essential oils
How essential oils can help you create a happy, healthy and soulful home
Aromatherapy oils have been part of my life for long. As someone who is more inclined to turn to Mother Nature first in case of any illness or health related problems I look at these oils as a very hands-on and natural 'tool' to treat myself if I feel somehow unwell.
Although I have to admit that up until recently my interest in these oils was not that extensive - I have only used a few, commonly known and used oils, such as tea tree, citrus, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, frankincense.
It all has started to change when I decided to shift my focus from the so called traditional interior design to a more holistic approach - involving and incorporating us, humans in a more complex and deeper way into the 'home making' process when the aim and the final result is not only a stylishly designed home but a home that serves as your 'best friend' supporting all of your needs let them be physical needs, mental and cognitive needs or emotional, spiritual ones.
As an obvious consequence of this decision and path I have looked into different kind of options that could help bring about this body-mind-soul connection in the homes I design.
And that is how I have got involved into aromatherapy on a deeper level.
Aromatherapy is the natural distillation of essential oils from plants to harmonise, balance and help the overall well-being of a person in body, soul and spirit. It has been around for ages and used for many purposes in many ways. Essential oils and aromatherapy are still considered to be outside the realm of medically accepted solutions - although there is an increasing interest in this area, more and more people start using these oils as 'essential part' of their life. When essential oils and aromatherapy are applied thoughtfully with the necessary knowledge to ensure safe and efficient usage, aromas can be a very integrated and important part of our life to promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
I had the chance to attend a 4 day long aromatherapy workshop in late April this year learning the most important details about essential oils - their chemistry, their components, their properties and behaviour, how to use, dilute and mix them as well as the archetypes and characters of the different oils. It was a very interesting 4 days - I got more than I expected. There is a lot to learn about them - however what I have found absolutely fascinating was their characterisation and 'personification'.
Each of the oils has their own 'personality' that can be described with different kind of human personality traits derived from the physical and chemical properties of the plant the oil 'comes' from. You can practically imagine a certain type of person related to a certain essential oil. As a matter of fact, this 'personification' is well known and used by the perfume industry to create perfumes suitable to different types of people. What is less known and used is that this approach can be applied in different therapies related to mental and emotional problems - not only in alternative therapies but in mainstream psychotherapy practices as well. I personally would like to see more psychologists and psychiatrist to apply essential oils in their practice - at least using the right and suitable fragrance or mix when they are having their session with a certain client.
Or you can use aromatherapy even in your professional life. Are going to have a tough meeting, do you want to close a deal? Then put the right aroma drops into a diffuser and see what happens.
And obviously it can be used in interior design - not only in our homes but in work places, community spaces as well.
Let me give you an example of this 'personification'.
Vetiver essential oil is described as a heavy, earthy fragrance and it is regarded as a calming, stabilising and grounding aroma to help soothe and unwind both the body and mind, cope with stress, shock and emotional traumas. It is basically a supporting, 'holding' oil.
Now, if you have a look at the plant itself you will see it is a fairly big and simple plant - but what is more important is its roots. It is unique in its ability to grow downward creating a thick tangle of roots in the ground, going down as long as 2 meters. In agriculture it is ideal for helping to prevent erosion and providing soil stabilisation - because it is firmly grounded in its place. The oil is distilled from this huge, strong, intricate and grounding root system.
Then if you try to attach a personality to this plant what comes to your mind? Do you see a sophisticated, fine, exquisite, delicate, bubbly, carefree female person? Or rather a raw, simple but strong, enduring, protecting, unfaltering male person who will support and hold you when you need it? Who will take you back to 'ground zero' to show you your strength and what really is important in life?
Can you see the connection?
Should we wonder why vetiver oil is used for what it is used for?
It helps you find your balance, get you back on your feet when you feel you have lost everything and cannot fall lower and deeper. It helps you regain your strength and focus, find your origo to restart and resurrect. It holds you and lift you up.
In alternative therapy it is connected to the root chakra - helping you stand firmly on your grounds.
It is also considered as a 'mental aphrodisiac' due to its ability to show you mental perspectives while calming your mind - so it is a wonderful oil to meditation.
From the classical interior design perspective by applying different essential oils in our home we can create different atmosphere and ambient. But it is way more than just simply using certain scents, burning incenses or scented candles.
This workshop experience has really made me believe that introducing and integrating essential oils into our everyday environment can enhance and improve our life in many ways - creating that happy and healthy home and life we all long for deep down.
It is something I am very keen on incorporating into my holistic design practice alongside with the Place Types method, especially applying it in my design psychology coaching.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Or have a look at here to see how I can help you.
And by all means download your beautiful gift, the Home Harmony Starter Kit, that will help you become more aware of your space and build a stronger connection with it.
Or you can just book a free 15 minute-long Discovery Call with me to explore your options and how I can help you.
