How To Create Your Own Essential Oil Menu

It is no secret we believe in the power of plants.

You may have spotted countless mentions of essential oils and botanicals dotted throughout the CRANBOURN^® site. This is because we know how incredible natural ingredients and extracts can be. They have the innate power to transform our mood, our atmospheres – and even our health and wellbeing.

The strong natural fragrances that emanate from essential oils can create unique atmospheres, invoke the desired mood, or dig up a fond memory. They are also used in aromatherapy to help alleviate pain and help with different ailments or persistent issues like insomnia or anxiety.

If you have never incorporated any aromatherapy into your routine before, now is the perfect time to give it a try. Despite us all spending an unprecedented amount of time within our own homes, fragrance products like perfumes, candles and diffusers haven’t experienced a dip in popularity. If anything, they have become increasingly popular – which highlights just how influential scent is in our daily lives. Fragrance is not performative or worn for anyone else’s benefit. It is highly personal, helps to elevate our mood and self-esteem, and turns our homes into a relaxing retreat.

How to create your essential oil menu

Using a figurative menu of different scents throughout your day can help you feel more alert, focused, positive and energised. After a long day at work, they can then help you to relax and unwind and sink in for a satisfying night’s sleep.

It may come as no surprise that citrus scents are the perfect wake-up call. Incorporate lemon, sweet orange and grapefruit oils into your morning routine to start your day with a clear head. These sweet, sharp fragrances will help you to feel invigorated and alert, ready to tackle whatever the day holds.

A couple of other favourites from the Fresh fragrance family are ideal for early starts. Think fresh basil, rosemary, mint and rosemary to clear a foggy head.

As you settle down at your desk for the day, reach for sharp fragrances to help you stay focused. Essential oils from the Fresh and Floral families help with cognitive function, memory, clarity and concentration. Eucalyptus, ylang ylang, sage and lemongrass are all wonderfully fresh and bright.

Once you are ready to sit back and relax, essential oils can help you clear any niggling work thoughts from your brain, and get you ready for a relaxing night. Opt for deeper, muskier scents from the Oriental and Woody families to bring your home into evening mode. While lavender is a classic favourite for inducing sleep, fragrances like patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla are perfect accompaniments for relaxing in the bath with a glass of wine.

Feeling a little under the weather? Some essential oils have antiviral and antifungal properties to help get you back on the right track. Peppermint can help with a pesky cough, eucalyptus helps to reduce fever and tea tree is antibacterial – put a few drops in a diffuser to reap the benefits.

Weave different fragrances into your routine to enhance points in your day. You should create an essential oil menu that is personal to you – scent is deeply personal and unique, so should reflect your tastes, needs and desires.

If you are intrigued and wish to know more about how fragrance can impact your mood, delve into our Journal piece here.

You can also learn more about individual botanicals’ history, biology and cultural significance in our extensive Botanicals library.