You'll have seen essential oil stands with hundreds of different bottles, each one claiming to have a different soporific or enhancing effect. Did you know that those effects have been clinically proven? It's easy to assume that the essential oils market is founded on a belief that scents elicit certain feelings and emotions, but in fact the belief has scientific grounding.

Essential oils have been proven to work on the central nervous system, albeit lightly. They provide a gentle effect, depending on which oil you choose. It's actually not surprising that essential oils have such an effect when you consider that they are extracted from plants themselves and concentrated from the sap and liquid held in the flowers, leaves and roots. The effect comes mainly from inhaling and there are many different ways to get the scents circulating in the air, from massaging it onto the skin and letting the pulse points push it out into the air, to putting drops in water and heating the water so it evaporates. Some people mix essential oils with bees and emulsifying wax to make a balm, while others put drops on a handkerchief to sniff on the move.

Let's start with the essential oils that wake us up and give us energy when we feel we have none. Lemon grass oil keeps us alert, yet level headed and can help you get through a big workload without getting overwhelmed. It's quite a delicate and pleasant citrus-y smell too, so colleagues shouldn't mind the smell in the workplace. Star anise, on the other hand, would be good for when you've just finished a big workload and need to feel refreshed and energized ready for a party or social gathering.

At the other end of the spectrum there are oils like lavender, cedar wood, bergamot and neroli. Each of these produces a very calming and relaxing effect, with lavender encouraging good quality sleep. These are all great to put in your evening bath, although refrain from using them all at once as some don't smell so great when combined with others.

For a fragrance to leave burning in an oil burner around your home when you have guests, you might want to choose bergamot as it's a common addition to a lot of perfumes already, it deodorizes and calms too. Alternatively you may like cedar wood atlas as it's energizing, or Clary sage for an intensely calming and soothing experience.

While essential oils can change our mood and help to combat negative emotions like anxiety, stress and depression, it's important to remember that many are used for medicinal purposes too. Cinnamon oil smells wonderfully warm and like you're baking cakes, yet it's also a strong antiseptic, like tea tree oil and citronella. On the other hand, cumin essential oil is an antioxidant and damiana oil can be used as an aphrodisiac. It's a great idea to have a box with a variety of oils so that you're ready for any situation that might need a beautiful smell to go with it.

Stan Tian

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