Anyone here into aromatherapy?

[BlueIris]

If so, help me out. What are your favorite scents for embracing positivity, happiness, optimism and joy? I'm sort-of following the general guidelines posted on the AuraCacia website. I'm using an orange scented perfume oil to try to help maintain a generally cheerful mood, but would like to try other, possibly lighter scents.

[arikara]

1. I love lavender

I smell it and I just melt. I put a few drops in my car when I have to commute and I feel relaxed. I put a few drops on my sheets at bedtime and sleep like a baby, and its also one of the few that you can put directly into your bath without diluting.

[DemExpat]

2. I second lavender - one of my favorites.

Geranium is nice in my living room, mixed with citrus scents, and in my bathroom I love pine and/or lemon.

DemEx

[BlueIris]

3. I like the heavier lavenders...in combo with something else.

Lavender all by itself is kind of depressing for me (reminds me of my grandfather's funeral--sorry).

[arikara]

5. My gosh, don't be sorry

smells trigger memories more effectively than anything. There's a certain baking type of smell, I can't even describe it because its a combination of things that takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen. I can't purposely duplicate it but I do smell it on rare occasions.

Come to think of it, maybe its Gramma saying hello...

[Dora]

4. I've always loved tangerine

Tangerine strikes a higher emotional note than orange oil does. It's great in combination with other oils, and also by itself. (Don't use the undiluted oil on your skin! I put some straight tangerine oil in my bath one night - never did it again.)

Grapefruit is another good one, but possibly more energetic than you need.

Orange is nice, but it doesn't do much to lift me. My husband uses orange as a meditation scent (combined with cedarwood).

Neroli is a great scent in aromatherapy, but prohibitively expensive.

[BlueIris]

6. I'm getting some tangerine tommorow night, actually.

And I've been meaning to invest in something with grapefruit in it because I've read that grapefruit can make a person feel younger--and be perceived as younger by others (I'm feeling old...sucks).

[Dora]

7. Grapefruit blends well with mint

I used to use grapefruit and peppermint on a sachet in my truck whenever I was driving long distances. It's quite lifting.

Yah, feeling old has been happening to me lately too. I haven't found the oil to fix that, but geranium and lavender in a bath before bed might help you get the sleep you need to feel younger. If you're not into taking baths, just a couple of drops of each on a hot damp washcloth rubbed all over your body is a passable substitute.

[japple]

13. I ordered a great grapefruit hand & body lotion on the internet

from NutraBiotic. It is wonderful and the fragrance is quite powerful, so I've diluted it with an unscented lotion. I love their products, esp. the grapefruit seed extract which I use to wash fruits and vegetables. I use NutriBiotic Skin Cleanser for bathing. Their products are available in most natural foods stores. I know I sound like a pushy salesperson, but their products really are good.

[japple]

14. ...and another thing

I have lavender, rosemary, basil, thyme, sage, oregano in my garden. On a warm summer afternoon, the smell is almost overpowering. Basil and rosemary have an invigorating effect. Does anyone blend their own herbs to make skin products, such as refreshing facial spritzers. I need some guidance on how to preserve herbs in oils or possibly using distilled water and some suggestions for different combinations.

[Shine]

8. I LOVE aromatherapy! I use my diffuser all the time at home.

I recommend a blend of Orange and Rosemary to raise happiness and clear thinking.

:hi:
~Shine

[BlueIris]

9. Rosemary. Gotcha.

That sounds interesting, actually.

[Melissa G]

10. Sandalwood and Blood orange if you can find it..

Oshadhi has a blend called Stress release that I am fond of that has the Lavender orange sandalwood etc combo..

[BlueIris]

11. That sounds really interesting.

I will definitely look into that. Blood orange + lavender + sandalwood. Hmmm.

[Melissa G]

12. pm me if you want more detailed info.. n/t

[BlueIris]

15. I found the scent for me, everyone. Violet. It rocks.

It has all the light, floral uplift of lavender--but without the nasty reminders of Grandpa's passing (not a good situation). ONE store has it for me in a natural perfume oil. ONE. I consider myself very lucky today.