To live in a peaceful home is to experience paradise on earth.

Ever notice how sometimes you feel like you’re on a very gloomy mood, not particularly sad or mad, just a little sluggish, heavy, or snoozy? But then a whiff of freshly brewed coffee suddenly gives you that jolt and sharpness coupled with a delighted feeling? Well, then it’s simply because our nose knows! Its called associative learning, simply put, we associate certain scents or odors with particular experiences or events in our life. The very part of our brain that is responsible for processing information about odors is connected to that part that deals with our emotion (the amygdala) and associative learning (the hippocampus). It explains why it’s been said that scents do affect our moods, quite evidently because they are connected.

For example, the smell of freshly baked cookies can command a warm feeling for some people because it reminds them of their home, of their mothers perhaps. While some would feel relax and subdued when subjected to grass or pine scents, probably because it reminds them of the nature or of the outdoors. These positive feelings and associations are brought about by positive experiences or events in their life.

This is why aromatherapy works wonders for one’s relaxation. It sends messages to our brain and influenced it into having a positive feeling. Our deep seated memory of such scents are triggered and affect our brain which will then process the associated feeling or mood connected to that particular scent.

The more refined the incense is, the more likely it is that it will have a positive emotional and mental effect. Japanese incense is generally more refined, Indian incense can be more rough and chemical-smelling. Tibetan incense is more natural, and although some is refined much of it is like a fire on a hillside.

Lavender – For relaxation. The scent is soothing, and puts our minds to rest. Lavender is a popular ingredient in aromatherapy, and has a million uses. It’s an ingredient in soothers of insect bites, burns and headaches, and it is also an effective insect repellent. But strictly fragrance related, an infusion of flower heads in a cup of boiling water can be used to soothe and relax before bed. Lavender’s stress-reducing abilities make it a key ingredient in gels and bath salts. One of the uses of lavender is in fabric softener, which when applied to your sheets could help you get a good night’s sleep.

Cinnamon – A stimulant, but also an aphrodisiac. Cinnamon has been shown to act as a stimulating scent, reducing drowsiness and often also the number of headaches (as well as the acuteness of pain). Its sweet but spicy fragrance helps sharpen the mind, aiding performance in mentally fatiguing tasks. Cinnamon fragrance also can help to relax tight muscles, ease painful joints and even help keep menstrual cramps at bay. Cinnamon foods and drinks are also an aphrodisiac, as the scent stirs the appetite, and invigorates the senses. It is a scent that can create a feeling of joy, and is instantly recognizable.

Peppermint – Can enhance memory and increase alertness. It’s the most widely used of all aromatic oils, and with good reason. Since the most junior times of our lives we’re used to mint through toothpaste, mints, ice cream, cleaners, and gum. Its powerful, fresh scent is seen as a pain and cramp reliever, and to help clear lung congestion and decrease the symptoms of indigestion. It does the latter by helping to relax the digestive muscles. Peppermint is an energizer, we feel alert and woken up by smelling it. A popular schoolboy technique is to brush one’s teeth before an exam, as the cleanliness and mint smell can help keep us focused and alert.

Lemon – A healer. Lemon has common properties as an antiseptic and antiviral, and it helps to decrease digestion. It’s a great natural cleaner – its acidic nature makes it a great degreaser and it can make hands feel fresh. It’s no surprise that it’s a key ingredient in many modern cleaning products, and will be found in such form in almost every home. Other than a cleanser it’s also a soother, and with a hot drink and honey makes for perfect sore throat relief. Lemon can help counter a wide range of infection, and inhaled it can help reduce blood pressure, but its main area of help is on the skin. As a scent its sharp fragrance helps cut out bad smells.

Rosemary – A boost. Rosemary is thought to boost brain performance by strengthening the memory. The odor is sharp, woody, and is one of the many antioxidants in our list. It helps to improve digestion and appetite too, and has the curious property of inducing and increasing sweat. It is seen as an antiseptic inhaling the oil helps relieves lung congestion especially. Rosemary has its other uses too; its oil is often used for perfume, for instance. It is also burnt as incense, and used in popular shampoos and cleaning products. In cosmetics it encourages dry skin to produce its own oils, and is great for getting rid of dandruff too. The following is adapted from a press-release from Johns Hopkins University. It explains how certain kinds of incense have an effect on the brain.

Many religious traditions have contended for that burning incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for our brains too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our nose.

In Feng Shui we know that scents are very powerful, so different scents can be used for different purposes. You can transform the energies in a subtle way to achieve the desired results, as everything is energy.

Insomnia and stress

Lavender, vanilla, coffee and roses can each help. Clinical trials have shown that the smell of lavender can help in insomnia, anxiety, stress, and post-operative pain, according to a report from Maryland University. “There is now scientific evidence to suggest that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders,” say the researchers. The smell of coffee can also lead to a calming effect, according to researchers at The University of California. A study at Tubingen University in Germany shows that vanilla fragrance has a calming effect, while a Thailand study showed the smell from roses reduces both breathing rate and blood pressure.