As an aromatherapist your tools are your essential oils; they are all so unique and packed with so much strength and science. It might be just me but (hear me out...) I have a personality for each of my favourite oils (honestly, never invite me for coffee because this is what you get). Maybe it’s one of my Autistic ‘special topics of interest’ or maybe I am just a total Essential nut.

Essential Oils for me, play a really important role in my life. I use them to support me, through good and bad. I have my bedtime heroes- Vetiver, Frankincense and Chamomile and not forgetting my superhero- Ylang Ylang. Did you know Ylang Ylang is reported to have a similar impact on the body as Beta Blockers? I know right, I was popping those bad boys for years, and I can tell you they don’t smell half as good as the gorgeous Ylang Ylang. In all seriousness, Beta Blockers played a vital medical role for me in managing crippling anxiety, but I find it fascinating we could find a little of that benefit waiting for us in nature, even as a supporting role- it's a great companion.

When I was working on the blends for my first saleable blends I wanted to share a little bit of my world, share the benefit and help others (maybe you?) to embrace just what essential oils can do for us, in an easy way so you don’t need to worry about hows, what’s and chemical compounds. Once I was happy, they went off to the lab for testing so I can ensure they are safe and fit to sell without me needing a 121 consultation with you. (If in doubt please chat me to ask about allergens and request Safety data sheets).

When I created Ease and Embody, I was already using this when it was just my own personal blend to help me in my daily life. I am autistic and find lots of day to day stuff quite draining and have quite a few ‘barriers’. The thought of ‘popping in’ for a quick drink in an unfamiliar place would fill me with dread in case it smells un-bearable or too noisy etc etc so I would just roll off some excuses ‘just need to pop to that random shop’ ‘need to get back **insert random reason**’ blah blah. My husband is very patient but it doesn’t feel good. At work, I would be sat in a meeting room, desperately trying to keep up my work facade. Trying to navigate complex emotions and stressful situations and focus on sometimes boring content. It was a total breakthrough for me to be able to use a discrete roller bottle, roll a little on my wrists and take some deep breaths. Nobody even really notices (other than those that stop and say ‘ooo what’s that smell?’ as it wafts round the conference table). For me this just means I CAN. It instantly grounds me, refocuses my mind and weirdly, I feel assured and held.

What’s in the roller I hear you ask!? This is quite the line up, not going to lie. Allow me to introduce you to my gorgeous assistant, the key to my daily management ritual and the reason I can now more often say ‘sure’ than I have ever been able to before: Clary Sage; the gorgeous and intelligent celebrity of Essential oils. This beauty makes her presence known when she walks into a room, clever and charming and full of pizazz. Soothes and calms emotional volatility by supporting the parasympathetic nervous system (the good one). Packed with Linalyl acetate and Linalool it helps to relax and calm overactive nerves.

Lavender; the most kind and caring friend you could ever wish to meet. Beautiful but understated. She is the one you can call for advice, and she never fails to make you feel better.

Peppermint; Always smells incredible and can lift your mood just by being around you, immediately makes sense of things for you. Works as a nerve stimulant, relieving fatigue and improving mental clarity- to name but a few of his awesome superpowers!

Rosemary; now here is a sophisticated and spicy character. Always willing to step in and roll up their sleeves, bold enough to make an impact but no ego here. It’s 1,8-cineole, camphor and pinene profile which give it the signature energising effects. Ylang Ylang; (my current favorite child). Strong and dependable with a cheeky streak of freshness.

Finally, this little pocket rocket is rounded off with-

Eucalyptus; The cool and calm hand holder. It brings along some gentle anaesthetic, reduces inflammation, and cools things down.

As you can see with these lovely companions, some of those day-to-day situations can be much more do-able, maybe even enjoyable!

I specialise in working with essential oils through inhalation. For me, this is such a powerful method. Scent has always had a profound impact on me and my emotional state. When I learned more about this and how I could influence it deliberately, I was blown away. As you inhale scent, odorants enter the nose and bind to specialised receptors in the olfactory epithelium.

Here electrical signals travel to the olfactory bulb- these are then sent directly to the brain regions for emotion and memory (your limbic system). Pretty awesome, right? Now, couple that with the use of essential oils which are tiny powerful drops of all-natural goodness.

I have no idea why; we are not taught more about these powerful tools in our younger education. I am not someone who ever suggests holistic over mainstream medical treatment, but I am a HUGE advocate of always considering how we can support our wellness journeys with a little support from the superhero essential oils.

My mission is to educate and simplify; I want them to become a little less ‘woo’ in people’s minds and more of a fundamental tool. Scent & Bloom is a business on a mission. My purpose and vision are to help others by sharing what I have learned.

There is a whole world of stress, anxiety and burnout (trust me, I have lived all of them) essential oils, used correctly can and should be seen as one of your support squads. They have been around forever (we all are familiar with Frankincense being given to the baby Jesus) yet somehow, I feel like we over look them. My advice is to come and explore, give them a try. Worst case you will just smell fabulous, best case you may well find you open a whole treasure chest of support.

It has got to the stage where I not only check I have my phone, keys also purse etc I now route round my handbag for my Ease and Embody roller. So much so I now keep one in the car, in my coat pocket and in my ‘out out’ handbag.

If you enjoyed my ramble, keep your eyes peeled when I introduce you to the cheer squad of hero’s behind my morning ritual- Rise & shine!

Faye x

Ease & Embody- The story behind the blend

Essential Oils and Autism

Neuro Christmas

Scent & Bloom