Before essential oils were ever placed into amber or blue bottles, they lived as wildflowers opening to the sun, roots deep within the earth. They lived among trees swaying with the wind, and herbs and flowers releasing fragrances after the warm summer rains. Aromatherapy begins in nature itself—in its ancient relationship between humans and the living earth. And essential oils are derived directly from nature’s healing intelligence.

Nature, the Nervous System and Aromatherapy

Diffusing and/or inhaling certain oils—such as ylang ylang, lavender, roman chamomile, frankincense and melissa—can be especially helpful at this time. There are also several rituals involving essential oils that can help lower stress levels, such as:

• Sit in morning sunlight with citrus oils
• Get an evening grounding foot massage with lavender, cedarwood and vetiver
• Walk in a forest and do deep aromatic breathing
• Create your own seasonal oil blends
• Garden with aromatic herbs
• Meditate in nature with frankincense

Aromatherapy and the Five Elements

Many healing traditions around the world draw on the five elements—earth, water, fire, air and spirit/ether—as facilitators and guides for restoring balance, deepening self-awareness and supporting healing. Essential oils can help amplify a desired element to enhance the elements and their associated properties.

Earth. The earth element is grounding and provides stability and safety. It connects us to the power of the Divine, especially when one is feeling a sense of overwhelm and ungroundedness. Oils to enhance the earth element include vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood and frankincense.

Water. The water element brings movement, emotion, cleansing and surrender, often in the form of emotional release and soothing. Oils to amplify the water element include jasmine, sandalwood, lavender and juniper.

Fire. The element of fire represents energy, transformation, passion and warmth. It is the heart at its best. Oils bringing fire help with circulation, vitality and motivation. They include ginger, black pepper, rose and rosemary.

Air. The air element resonates with breath, clarity and inspiration. They help to bring respiratory wellness and focus. Essential oils to enhance the properties of air include eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, ginger and clary sage.

Spirit/Ether. This element evokes stillness, connection and sacredness and the oils that carry this element help us connect with Spirit. They include rose, neroli, frankincense and myrrh.

Aromatherapy and the Seasons

Certain oils can be used to align with the energetic qualities associated with each of the four seasons.

In the spring, when renewal, cleansing and awakening are desired, one can use oils of geranium, lavender, lemon and grapefruit to bring freshness, detoxification and uplift.

In the summer season, oils of neroli, sweet orange, rose and jasmine are often used to heighten one’s sense of expansion, joy and sunlight.

In the fall, when trees are losing their leaves, cedarwood, clove, orange and peppermint can be used to help one let go of what no longer serves them, ground and introspect.

In the winter, one can reach for frankincense, pine, myrrh, elemi or ginger to deepen rest, introspection and restoration. ❧

A certified aromatherapist, reflexologist and energy healer, Roz Zollinger is the director and co-owner of Atlanta’s Heal Center and is recognized internationally for her contributions in the fields of reflexology, aromatherapy and energy healing. She pioneered Aromatic Reflexology and developed the Zollinger BodySystems Method of Reflexology/Aromatherapy.