Smells are important. They can draw you toward or away from a person or place. They change moods, evoke memories and encourage action (take a shower, eat that food, like this person). Lately, I’ve been incorporating some new scents (candles, essential oils, incense) into my personal atmosphere. They help me feel fresh, peaceful and relaxed, which are great feels.
Allow me to elaborate…
Standard Wax is a company based in Phoenix, Arizona (yay!) that sells 100 percent soy candles in re-usable, handmade ceramic containers. I’ve been burning the White Tea + Thyme scent (“lemongrass, fern, white tea and freshly picked garden herbs”). It is light and subtle, which I like during warm-weather months. I want to try some of the other scents — Bergamot + Basil sounds perfect for fall. I haven’t burned this a lot, but I do enjoy the smell in the morning and early afternoon while I’m working or doing chores around the house.
I’ve been buying inexpensive essential oils lately and two standouts have been eucalyptus and patchouli oils. Eucalyptus has to be one of my favorite scents because one big whiff of it and you feel as if you’ve cleaned out and cooled up your lungs. It has numerous health benefits because of its decongestant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic and other medicinal properties. I like to put a couple drops on a tissue and dab it on my pillowcases and bed frame before I go to sleep. It creates a fresh and tranquil sleeping environment and that makes a difference in the quality of my slumber.
Then, there’s patchouli. I know what you’re thinking — hippies. You’re right, it’s definitely a scent associated with that free-loving, peace-peddling group. To the disgust of anyone who comes within a foot of me, I’ve been dabbing a small amount of this on my wrist and neck from day to day. A little goes a long way, which is to say that this stuff is strong. It lingers and is not the most attractive scent to most people. However, I don’t think I’ll ever stop using it. There are far too many benefits. It is an anti-depressant, astringent, aphrodisiac, insecticide (keeps insects away, bye mosquitos!), fungicide (decreases fungal growth), cicatrisant (speeds up wound healing), and much more.
Essential oils can also be put in a diffuser, which is something I’ve been looking into. Any suggestions? Let me know in the comments!
Finally, there are my incense. I burn these frequently, usually when I take long baths or showers, meditate, do yoga or stretches, read, write or engage in some other relaxing activity. There are so many scents available, but a couple of my Satya SaiBaba favorites: Nag Champa and Midnight. These are similar. In fact, Midnight incorporates the original Nag Champa mixed with an aroma that is a bit muskier. Both create a calming and sacred environment.
What are some of your favorite scents at the moment? I’d love to know!