May 2025 - Effect of Smells on the Brain Pt #1

Research has shown that the effects of fragrance via the sense of smell exert strong effect on the brain, especially on the hypothalamus (the hormone command center of the body) and limbic system (the seat of emotions). Some essential oils high in sesquiterpenes, such as myrrh, sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, melissa, and frankincense, can dramatically increase oxygenation and activity in the brain. This may directly improve the function of many systems of the body.

The olfactory bulb then transmits the impulses to the gustatory center (where emotional memories are stored), and other parts of the brain that directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance, essential oils can have a pro-found physiological and psychological effects.

The sense of smell is the only one of the 5 senses directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, the emotional control center. Anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and joy all emanate from this region. The scent of a special fragrance can evoke memories and emotions before we are even consciously aware of it. When smells are concerned, we react first and think later. All other senses (touch, taste, hearing, and sight) are routed through the thalamus, which acts as the switchboard for the brain, passing stimuli onto the cerebral cortex (the conscious thought center) and other parts of the brain.The limbic lobe (a group of brain structures that includes the hippocampus and amygdale located below the cerebral cortex) can also directly activate the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is one of the most important parts of the brain, acting as our hormonal control center.

Abuse: single oils - geranium, ylang ylang, sandalwood. blends - sara, hope, joy, peace & calming, inner child, grounding, trauma life, valor, forgiveness, white angelica.

Agitation: single oils - bergamont, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, juniper, lavender, myrrh, marjoram, rosewood, rose, ylang ylang, sandalwood. blends - peace & calming, joy, valor, harmony, forgiveness.

Anger: single oils - bergamont, cedarwood, roman chamomile, frankincense, lavender, lemon, marjoram, myrrh, orange, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang. blends - release, valor, sacred mountain, joy, harmony, hope, forgiveness, present time, trauma life, surrender, christmas spirit, white angelica, tranquil roll-on.

Anxiety: single oils - orange, roman chamomile, ylang ylang, lavender.Blends - valor, hope, peace & calming, present time, joy, citrus fresh, surrender, believe, tranquil roll-on.

Apathy: single oils - frankincense, geranium, marjoram, jasmine, orange, peppermint, rosewood, rose, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang. blends - joy harmony valor, 3 wise men, hope, white angelica, motivation, live with passion, highest potential.

Argumentative: single oils - cedarwood, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, frankincense, jasmine, orange, thyme, ylang ylang. blends - peace & calming, joy, harmony, hope, valor, acceptance, humility, surrender, release.

Boredom: single oils, cedarwood, northern lights black spruce, black pepper, roman chamomile, cypress, frankincense, juniper, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang. blends - dream catcher, motivation, valor, awaken, passion, gathering, en-er-gee.

Concentration: single oils - cedarwood, cypress, juniper, lavender, lemon, basil, helichrysum, myrrh, orange, peppermint, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang ylang. blends - clarity, awaken, gathering, dream catcher, magnify your purpose, brain power.

Confusion: single oils - cedarwood, northern lights black spruce, cypress, peppermint, frankincense, geranium, ginger, juniper, marjoram, jasmine, rose, rosewood, rosemary, basil, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang. blends - clarity, harmony, valor, present time, awaken, brain power, gathering, grounding.

Day-Dreaming: single oils - ginger, northern lights black spruce, lavender, helichrysum, lemon, myrrh, peppermint, rosewood, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, thyme, ylang ylang. blends - sacred mountain, gathering, valor, harmony, present time, dream catcher, 3 wise men, magnify your purpose, envision, brain power, highest potential.

Depression: single oils - frankincense, lemon, sandalwood, geranium, lavender, angelica, orange, grapefruit, ylang ylang. blends - valor, motivation, live with passion, hope, joy, brain power, present time, envision, sacred mountain, harmony, highest potential.

Despondency: single oils - bergamot, northern lights black spruce, clary sage, ginger, orange, rose, rosewood, sandalwood, ylang ylang. blends - hope, joy, valor, present time, harmony, dream catcher, gathering, magnify your purpose, live with passion, motivation.

Discouragement: single oils - bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, juniper, lavender, lemon, orange, northern lights black spruce, rosewood, sandalwood. blends - valor, sacred mountain, hope, joy dream catcher, into the future, magnify your purpose, envision, believe.

As you can see individual oils have many uses. The main thing is to use the oils you have and add to you collection as you can. Enjoy!

A 90 year old lady who had recently lost her husband and had to move to nursing home.On the day she had to move to nursing home in morning she woke up early got dressed properly with perfectly applied makeup.She was ready to move to nursing home. Cab was called to take her to nursing home. She got into cab and reached nursing home.
After reaching nursing home she was asked to wait in the nursing home lobby. She waited patiently and smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator the nurse gave her a brief visual description of her room including colors of the curtains on window.After hearing just description she replied with enthusiasm, “I love it.”
The nurse politely said, “you haven’t even seen it yet.”The elegant lady replied, “That doesn’t have anything to do with it. Happiness is something that you decide. It doesn’t depend on how my room looks if I will like my room or not. It depends on how my mind is arranged.”I already decided to love it. It’s decision I made when i woke up this morning.I can choose to spend day counting the problems I have because of my situation or because of my body parts with no longer work the way they used to or I can get out of bed and be thankful for what I do have.As long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away.. Just for this time in my life.”

During this workshop you will receive extensive knowledge and information about the use of the raindrop essential oils. You will gain an understanding of how and why to use essential oils in general. You will begin to understand why the use of essential oils is called ‘Aromatherapy’ and how the scents and aromas facilitate our healing. You will experience all the various techniques used in raindrop and understand the why behind each one. You will receive and give the raindrop technique itself. Best of all you will go away being able to, with confidence, duplicate the entire technique for friends and family. 

To confirm availability and reserve your place, email me at carolhowden.oils@gmail.com. *Maximum 16 attendees.