The Difference Between Moisturizing and Hydrating: What Your Skin Really Needs When it comes to skincare, the terms “moisturizing” and “hydrating” are often used interchangeably. However, they actually refer to two distinct processes that address different issues in the skin. Understanding the difference between moisturizing and hydrating, as well as the role of emollients and humectants, can help you better care for your skin and keep it looking healthy and radiant. Let’s start with some basics about skin anatomy and physiology. Your skin is made up of three main layers: the epidermis (the o ..read more

Herbal Oxymels Have you heard of oxymels? This ancient Greek tonic, which literally means “acid and honey,” is gaining popularity once again as a healthful and delicious way to support overall well-being. Oxymels have been used for centuries, dating back to the time of Hippocrates, and were even included in European and American pharmacopeias as an important folk remedy. What is an Oxymel? At its most basic, an oxymel is a mixture of raw honey and vinegar, often infused with herbs to provide additional health benefits. Combining these ingredients creates a syrup-like tonic that is both tast ..read more

Stress, Mental Health, and How Essential Oils Can Help We all experience stress as part of daily life. But when stressful events or situations go on for too long, it can seriously impact our mental health. Understanding how essential oils may help regulate the bodys stress response provides insight into using aromatherapy to improve mood and emotional well-being. The Stress Response and HPA Axis When we perceive threats or pressures, it activates a cascade of physiological changes known as the fight-or-flight stress response. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the key system c ..read more

The Food-Mood Connection: How Diet Impacts Depression and Anxiety Depression and anxiety are increasingly common mental health issues, with around 1 in 4 people experiencing them at some point in their lives. While various forms of talk therapy and medication, be it allopathic, herbal, or aromatic, are often used to treat these conditions, there is growing evidence that diet also plays an important role. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the research says about how our food choices impact depression, anxiety, and overall emotional and mental well-being. The Potential Benefits of Healthy E ..read more

This is one of my all-time favorite vegan lip balm formulations.  The post How To Make Vegan Lip Balm appeared first on The School of Aromatic Studies ..read more

Lavender Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Syn: L. officinalis L. vera DC.) Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Lavender is a fragrant flowering plant that grows wild in the mountains of the Mediterranean region, between 1,970 and 3,940 feet above sea level. There are over 40 species in the lavender family, with the most common being Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, and Lavandula stoechas. Lavender has been cultivated for centuries for its medicinal, cosmetic, culinary, and aromatic properties. Ancient Cultivation and Cultural Significance The earliest recorded uses of l ..read more

The Garden Smellscape Our sense of smell has an undeniable power to affect our moods and mental states. Inhaling the fragile aroma of a flower or aromatic plant can lift our spirits and calm anxieties. Catching the earthy scent of soil on a spring day can conjure up memories and connections we’ve forgotten. Aromas subtly permeate our consciousness, evoking emotions and sensations that visual beauty alone cannot. Research shows natural aromas like lavender, pine, or mint can actually help reduce stress and anxiety. The aromas interact with our limbic system, the part of the brain controlling ..read more

Scent is POWERFUL! Smell is the most underutilized sense we have yet one of the most powerful. It is our most primal sense. It stops us from drinking sour milk, alerts us to natural gas, and can even detect a fire 30 miles away. While other mammals, such as dogs and cats have a much keener sense of smell, the human sense is still extraordinary with the human genome being packed with over 950 odorant receptor genes. Not to mention it’s the only sense that taps directly into the part of the brain responsible for emotion and memory. Stress relief is by far the strongest pillar of aromatherapy ..read more

Welcome to Vata Season The crisp autumn air and falling leaves signal that Vata season is upon us. As the dry, cool, light, and mobile qualities of Vata rise in nature, our bodies and minds start to reflect these qualities as well. For those of us with dominant Vata constitutions, this is a time where we must be extra mindful to keep our Vata in check through proper diet, lifestyle routines, and self-care practices. Even for those who are not predominantly Vata, the environmental influence of Vata season can still throw us off balance if we don’t adapt properly. The good news is that with t ..read more

How Olfactory Training Can Improve Your Sense of Smell Our sense of smell, or olfaction, is incredibly important. Smells influence our mood, behavior, relationships, and health in ways we don’t even realize. However, many people suffer from smell disorders that diminish their ability to experience aromas fully. The good news is that actively “exercising” your nose through smell training can help improve olfactory function. Olfactory training, often referred to as “smell therapy,” has gained popularity not only for COVID-19 patients but also for those with various olfactory-related issues, in ..read more