Supporting mental health with aromatherapy

November 4, 2025

How the sense of smell, the limbic system, and our emotional world are connected

Essential oils can be gentle and soothing aids for strengthening mental health and providing support for those with mental health conditions. But how is it possible that a scent can influence our mood, our concentration, or our stress levels? How can it transport us, seemingly out of nowhere, back to a long-gone vacation experience? How can we use the power of plants to promote psychological well-being? Scents, in a sense, act as a direct line to our emotional world.

• The human sense of smell is closely linked to the limbic system , an area of ​​the brain responsible for many unconscious processes. 
• This is where our emotions and memories reside; this is where sleep, behavior, and long-term memory are controlled, as well as our stress response and motivation.
• When we inhale a scent, the molecules travel via the olfactory mucosa to the olfactory receptors, from where signals are sent directly to the limbic system .
• Olfactory perceptions are the only sensory perceptions that reach the cortex directly, without the intermediary of the thalamus, the largest part of the diencephalon.
• This direct connection explains why scents often evoke strong emotional reactions and memories – and can influence our mental state .

This applies both ways, of course: A pleasant fragrance can promote well-being and relaxation, while an unpleasant smell can evoke negative emotions. Many components of essential oils can calm the nervous system. and help to relieve tension (see scientific references at the very bottom). Citrus scents such as orange, bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit can brighten the mood and convey joy and lightness.

" In therapy, whether in group settings or individual sessions, it is repeatedly and strikingly evident how people in psychological crises react directly to plant scents. Scents touch us, provide access to emotions, can influence mood, and thus have a positive effect on drive and motivation. With dry inhalation, for example using a smelling bottle or inhaler, positive emotions can be intensified or coping with difficult symptoms and issues made easier. "

Regula Rudolf von Rohr, specialist in aromatherapy and psychiatric aromatherapy at the University Psychiatric Clinics Basel

Studies show that essential oils increase the activity of GABA receptors or the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin or dopamine in the brain , thus modulating mood and relaxation, and helping with restlessness and anxiety. Memory and concentration can also be stimulated by the right essential oils. Therefore , aromatherapy is playing an increasingly important role in geriatric care and in the care of people with dementia .

Self-care and resilience

Fragrances also simply remind us to take care of ourselves and promote well-being in difficult situations. Quite simply, by creating a pleasant atmosphere – be it at work, in a hospital room, or in a moment of solitude.

Our mental health is like a garden that needs light, warmth, and loving care. Just as we gently weed a natural garden, removing the weeds that rob our plants of energy and light, we need to nurture our psyche. This means giving space to pleasant emotions by positively guiding and regulating the thoughts and feelings that constantly flood our minds. This approach can help us foster our mental stability.

"Fragrances are like bridges over the stream of everyday chaos. Bridges help and pave the way to new things. The right fragrance at the right moment can work wonders."

Christine Lenz, Expert in sleep health and medicine

When clouds gather in the sky and dark days descend, we long for a protective refuge in our garden, one that shields us from life's storms. The key concepts here are resilience and self-care . Consciously integrating fragrances into our daily lives can contribute to these goals in a variety of positive ways: Positive feelings and thoughts contribute to emotional resilience by helping to break negative thought patterns. Consciously inhaling and perceiving fragrances helps us stay present in the moment and find inner peace. Taking time to enjoy a pleasant scent, whether through a relaxing bath, a massage with essential oils, or filling an aroma lamp, is a moment of self-care . It signals to our body and mind that we value ourselves and are taking good care of ourselves. On adverse days, fragrances not only bring us joy and beauty like colorful flowers in our garden, but they also act as a strong tree, offering us protection with its branches and support with its trunk.

References from science

Review articles on the effects of essential oils on the nervous system with a focus on mental health

The use of essential oils to promote mental (psychological) well-being is widely established in both private and professional care settings. This empirical evidence is complemented by scientific reviews (1), 2), 3)) which provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of pharmacological and clinical research.

The farfalla themes of Mental Strength, Joy of Life, Mindfulness, Sleep Well, Security, Gently Relaxed, which can sustainably strengthen mental health depending on the situation, specifically address those essential oils with a focus on mental health, embedded in a harmonious fragrance composition.

1. Lizarraga-Valderrama LR. Effects of essential oil in central nervous system; Focus on mental health. Phytotherapy research 2021; 35:657-679
2. Sattayakom A, Wichit S, Koomhin P. The effects of essential oils on the nervous system: a scoping review. Molecules 2023, 28, 3771.
3. Borges e Soares GA, Bhattacharya T, Chakrabarti T, Tagde P, Cavalu S. Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Essential Oils on the Central Nervous System. Plants 2022, 11, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010021
4. Eri Watanabe E, Kuchta K, Kimura M, Rauwald HW, Kamei T, Imanishi J. Effects of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States, Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in 41 Healthy Females. Forsch Komplementmed 2015;22:43–49 DOI: 10.1159/000380989