MY LOVE FOR ESSENTIAL OILS

I’ll be honest: a few years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about essential oils. Even when I first encountered them through Neal’s Yard Remedies, I assumed they were simply natural fragrances — pleasant, but not particularly meaningful.

And then I discovered diffusers.

It all started when a friend gave me one as a birthday gift. It sat on a sideboard looking pretty for quite some time, largely unused. It was only when I began to learn more — and actually experiment — that I realised how powerful scent can be in shaping mood, atmosphere, and wellbeing.

So, what are essential oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts taken from plants — from petals, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, or peel. They’ve been used for centuries across many cultures, largely because of the way they interact with our sense of smell.

Plants produce these oils to protect themselves and to communicate with their environment. When we inhale them, they interact with our own sensory systems — particularly the sense of smell, which is directly linked to the areas of the brain involved in emotion and memory.

This is why scent can be so evocative. A single smell can instantly calm us, energise us, or transport us back to a moment in time.

Why scent affects mood

Our sense of smell connects directly to the limbic system — the part of the brain involved in emotion, memory, and nervous system regulation. This is why different people can have completely different responses to the same scent.

One person might find lavender deeply calming; another might associate it with an unpleasant memory. The beauty of essential oils is that many have overlapping qualities, so you can often choose an oil that supports the mood you’re aiming for and feels pleasant to you personally.

Simple ways to use essential oils

There are many ways to enjoy essential oils, but the most accessible include:

• Inhalation — on a tissue, via steam, or through a diffuser

• Bath or shower products containing natural essential oils

• Pillow mists or room sprays, when made with natural ingredients

  
  

My personal favourite is using a diffuser. Within moments, it can completely change the feel of a space — whether I want to feel more alert in the morning, focused during work, or relaxed at the end of the day.

An added bonus? Becoming aware of scent often encourages deeper, slower breathing — so without even trying, you’re already supporting your nervous system.

A gentle word of balance

Essential oils aren’t magic, and they’re not a replacement for medical care. What they can be is a simple, natural way to support mood, create calm, and bring a sense of intention into daily life.

For me, they’re about atmosphere, ritual, and awareness — small tools that help shift how a space (and a moment) feels.

If you’re curious, start small. One oil. One diffuser. One moment of noticing your breath.

Sometimes, that’s all it takes.