Aromatic Alchemy - Why do essential oils work ?

Aromatic Alchemy – How Scent Influences the Brain, Nervous System & Emotional State 

Over the past few posts, I’ve introduced the foundation of Aromatic Alchemy — a flexible way to work with essential oils to support the nervous system.

We’ve talked about how certain aromas can create an internal pause, soften emotional intensity, and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.  

But why does this work?

What is happening in your body when you inhale an essential oil? 

The Olfactory System – Where It All Begins

When you inhale an aroma, tiny chemical molecules enter the nose and interact with specialized receptors in the olfactory system. From there, signals are sent directly to the brain through the olfactory nerve. 

What makes this pathway unique is how direct and immediate it is. Unlike other senses, smell doesn’t need to be processed or interpreted. It just arrives for your brain to interpret and instruct your body how to respond.  

This is part of why scent can feel so immediate — it bypasses the “thinking mind” and goes straight to something deeper.

 The Limbic System

Once those signals reach the brain via the olfactory nerve, they connect with the limbic system — the area responsible for how we experience, perceive, and respond to the world around us. 

You’ve likely experienced this without even thinking about it. 

ü  The smell of fresh baked bread or cookies

ü  Fresh cut grass

ü  Bacon cooking or fresh coffee

ü  The smell of a favourite person or piece of clothing 

Before you’ve had time to consciously think, your body has already responded to that aroma with a sense of comfort, a memory, a feeling of familiarity, or maybe muscle tension release, or a smoother breathing pattern.  

The response happens first — the understanding often comes later. 

Within the limbic system there are physical structures that have specific roles: 

Amygdala – processes emotional responses and helps determine whether something feels safe or threatening

Hippocampus – stores and recalls memories, linking scent to past experiences and associations

Hypothalamus – helps regulate the nervous system and influences physical responses like heart rate, stress reactions, and hormonal activity

Together, this system shapes:

ü  Emotional processing

ü  Memory and association

ü  Physical responses

ü  Perception of safety or threat & behavior responses. 

So that action of inhaling a scent moves almost instantly into recognition, memory, and feeling.  

The Nervous System – What Actually Shifts

The limbic system is closely connected to the nervous system — which is constantly scanning and responding to your internal and external environment. When aroma influences the limbic system, it can begin to shift:

ü  Heart rate

ü  Breathing patterns

ü  Muscle tension

ü  Levels of alertness or relaxation

You may notice this as:

ü  A deep breath you didn’t force

ü  A softening in your body

ü  A slight quieting of mental noise 

In Aromatic Alchemy, this is where the process begins: 

Shift – interrupting the current nervous system state or cycle

Support – allowing the nervous system to settle

Progress – moving forward with more clarity and steadiness 

We’re not forcing the body into transition or change

We’re gently influencing the environment your body is responding to by introducing naturally occurring aromatic chemical compounds 

For those of us with neurodivergent brains or highly responsive nervous systems understanding this connection can be a game changer. 

Think of it this way - the chemical components in oils provide a specific stimulus for the limbic system to interpret and give the nervous system something else to respond to.   

When I get looped in a mental spiral, stuck in a freeze, overwhelmed or need to focus I use essential oils as a tool to change the environment my brain is working with and shift the response from my nervous system.  

ü  It wasn’t about controlling my thoughts, masking or pushing through

ü  It was about giving my nervous system a different map to follow. 

For me, this is where everything began to click. 

You don’t need to understand the science to benefit from Aromatherapy. The body responds whether we understand it or not. 

How do you work with oils ? 

I usually use a personal inhaler or diffuser, when I work with my oils.  You can also use an open bottle or place a drop or two on a cotton ball or tissue.  Take care not to get oil on your skin.  

When doing breathwork with essential oils, I hold my personal inhaler about 6 inches below my nose and:

ü  Gently inhale for a count of four

ü  Hold for four counts

ü  Follow with a long, slow exhale 

I repeat this for 3–4 intentional breaths, then take gentle breaths without the oil for about a minute. This cycle can be repeated several times. 

Aromatic Alchemy is not about rigid steps, specific tools or timelines. It is a template to be used with your intuitive knowing and your nervous systems natural response to oils. 

This becomes a practice of

ü  Noticing how you are feeling and how to change that experience

ü  Experimenting with different oils and methods to find what works for you

ü  Building awareness over time of haw to care for your nervous system 

Why Different Oils Feel Different

Part of what creates different responses is the chemical composition of each essential oil. Every oil is made up of plant specific chemical components that tells your body how to react to that oils aromatic stimuli.  

You don’t need to memorize the chemistry, but it can be helpful to be aware of some common chemical families found in essential oils.  

ü  Esters (found in oils like Lavender) are often associated with a softer, more calming effect

ü  Monoterpenes (citrus oils like Sweet Orange and Bergamot) tend to feel lighter, brighter, and more uplifting

ü  Oxides (found in Rosemary) are often linked to clarity and mental alertness

ü  Sesquiterpenes (present in oils like Frankincense and Cedarwood) tend to feel deeper, slower, and more grounding 

Essential Oils and Their Role in Aromatic Alchemy

As you work with aromas intentionally, you may start to notice that different oils effect us differently 

ü  Some create a gentle shift

ü  Others help you pause and reset

ü  and some make it easier to focus and move forward

 The oils I use are grouped into

ü  Regulators

ü  Clarifiers and

ü  Grounders 

Regulators - For calming, grounding, and helping the nervous system settle 

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Rich in esters, which are often associated with calming and balancing effects on the nervous system.

Keywords: calming, soothing, relaxation, nervous system support, rest, gentle

Suitable for most people over 2, adults, and seniors when used via inhalation or properly diluted for topical use. 

Frankincense (Boswellia serrata)

Contains sesquiterpenes, which are often linked to slower, grounding, and reflective states.

Keywords: grounding, centering, slow breathing, reflection, emotional steadiness

Suitable for most people over 2, adults, and seniors when used via inhalation or properly diluted for topical use. 

Clarifiers - For mental clarity, focus, and gently interrupting mental chatter 

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

High in monoterpenes, contributing to its bright, uplifting nature.

Keywords: uplifting, mood support, lightness, positivity, mental reset, brightness

Suitable for most people over 2, adults, and seniors when used via inhalation or properly diluted for topical use.  May be mildly phototoxic — avoid topical application before sun exposure 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Contains oxides, which are commonly associated with clarity and mental alertness.

Keywords: focus, clarity, mental stimulation, alertness, cognitive support

Suited for children over 6 and adults; use with caution in those with epilepsy, high blood pressure, or during pregnancy 

Grounders - For reconnecting to the body and creating a sense of stability 

Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

Rich in monoterpenes, offering both gentle stimulation and a sense of physical grounding.

Keywords: grounding, stabilizing, resilience, strength, forest, deep breath

Suitable for most people over 2, adults, and seniors when used via inhalation or properly diluted for topical use. 

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

Contains sesquiterpenes, contributing to its steady, grounding presence. 

Keywords: anchoring, calming, emotional balance, steady, earthy, supportive

Suitable for children over 2, adults, and seniors; avoid during pregnancy. 

A Note on Safety

As with all essential oils, safe use can vary based on age, health conditions, and individual sensitivity. 

ü  Essentia; oils are NOT recommended for use on children under 2 years old

ü  Always dilute for tropical use (approximately 2 -3 drops per tablespoon or large dollop of unscented lotion) Use less oil and more lotion for children & seniors

ü  Inhalation (diffuser, personal inhaler, or scent strip) is the safest & most effective way to enjoy oils

ü  DO NOT ingest essential oils.  This practice can cause permanent internal damage, and these is limited scientific research on its effectiveness in humans. 

ü  Avoid diffusing oils in spaces shared with pets, especially cats.  Cats cannot metabolize the chemicals in Essential oils and can become very sick.

 Bringing It All Together

Aromatherapy works because it directly involves the parts of the brain that shape how we feel, respond, and move through the world. 

It doesn’t rely on wilpower, force or effort

It doesn’t require anything other than your chosen essential oil and few moments

It offers a change in the brains environment for your body to work within 

This is the foundation of Aromatic Alchemy.

😊A gentle shift

😊A moment to settle

😊A pathway forward 

In the next post, join us in exploring how aromas help interrupt emotional spirals and create a shift to release the tension. 

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thoughts, overwhelmed by your environment, or unsure how to move forward join our mailing list via our website and have the next blog delivered directly to your inbox.. 

I’d love to hear from you — Do you have a scent you naturally reach for when you need to reset or refocus? 

If you’d like to explore the oils mentioned here, you’ll find them available in the RVA Shop or feel free to reach out for personal guidance. 

Sometimes all it takes is a moment’s pause, a slow breath and a drop of aroma to transform how we experience our world.