14, January 2026
How Aromatherapy Can Help with Stress Relief
Aromatherapy has been used to relieve stress and anxiety for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, China and other civilisations that valued aromatic plants for healing and wellbeing. Today, aromatherapy remains one of the most popular wellness practices for combating stress and anxiety.
What is aromatherapy?
Twentieth century French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé officially coined the term “modern aromatherapy” after discovering lavender’s healing properties when treating a burn. A type of holistic therapy, aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts (AKA essential oils) to promote physical and mental wellbeing and potential healing. Rivka, our founder and qualified aromatherapist, has been creating balancing personal care products with essential oils since 1974.
Aromatherapy typically works in two ways, the first being inhalation. When we breathe in the essential oil molecules, they stimulate specialised cells in our noses – olfactory cells – that send signals to our brain's limbic system. It’s here that our body controls our emotions and memory, influencing our mood and stress.
The second is through skin absorption, and is probably more common nowadays. This is where topical essential oils are applied to the skin through things like massages and absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, with effects often felt more quickly through this method.
How to use essential oils for stress and wellbeing
The way we administer essential oils for aromatherapy depends on the desired outcome. One of the most common is adding them to water in an oil diffuser or in a massage oil.
The ‘golden rule’ of essential oils is that you should never apply them directly to skin without being diluted first.
Although both inhalation and skin absorption of essential oils can be great at combating stress, breathing in the molecules can be particularly soothing. It's why aromas play such an important role in our products. Aromas like Lavender and Geranium help promote relaxation and calm the mind (while also soothing your skin).
What are the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy?
As well as smelling beautiful, there are a whole host of benefits from using essential oils in your wellbeing or self-care routine. Certain aromas are more effective than others to combat the signs of stress and fatigue, both of which are more common during the winter. For relaxation and sleep: Lavender, ylang-ylang and chamomile are known for their calming and sleep-supporting properties. If you’re after an uplifting boost, orange and rosemary are known for their fresh, invigorating aromas.
How to practice wellbeing at home
It can be challenging to establish routines at home that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Incorporating essential oils into massages or bath and shower times can help unlock the benefits of aromatherapy without significantly altering your everyday routines.
If you’re new to essential oils and the benefits of aromatherapy for stress relief, incorporating products that contain naturally derived ingredients and essential oil extracts can really help you to discover new aromas that work for your individual needs.
Some of the lesser-known benefits of essential oils can be found in our product descriptions. For example, our Aloe Vera Soap Bar contains ylang ylang and patchouli essential oils. They’re both commonly associated with calming properties.
As with all therapies for mental and emotional health, we’re learning more all the time. It’s no surprise then that there’s still much to discover about essential oils and the effects they may have on mood, particularly as different aromas can affect individuals in different ways.
No two essential oils are the same — and finding one that works for you, while discovering the potentially untapped benefits of aromatherapy, could help enhance your self-care ritual.
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