Yasmine ElGhamrawy

What happens if you don't like the smell of lavender, but every time you look for a "relaxing" blend or oil, this is the first recommendation that comes up?
It can be very frustrating and even put you off using a certain brand or product because the scent is so yucky that sniffing it is far from relaxing.

Lavender: A divisive scent

I love lavender, but I quickly learned it is very divisive. As a certified aromatherapist, part of my training was the chemistry of the oils and the breakdown of their components. While this can not predict how an oil will smell, it can identify the active structure that most likely gives it therapeutic properties.
Why asking an aromatherapist can help when choosing an alternative oil to lavender
This is where consulting with an aromatherapist can be very helpful. Depending on your preference, scent-wise, as well as the intended use of the oil, I recommend various alternatives that fit in with your liking. This makes using an aromatherapy product so much more enjoyable.

What is the chemistry of lavender?

Before delving into these alternatives, it's helpful to understand what makes lavender such a potent relaxant. The primary chemical constituents of lavender essential oil are linalool and linalyl acetate. Linalool is known for its calming effects on the mind and body, while linalyl acetate is recognised for reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.

4 alternatives to Lavander

Clary Sage:

Aroma: Woody, Floral, Earthy.
Contains high levels of linalool
Stabilises the heart and mind
Traditionally used for hormonal imbalance and related issues
Fills you with optimism and comfort in times of distress.
Great oil for balancing out emotions and lifting your spirits.

Bergamot Mint:

Aroma: Minty, Fresh, Citrus
Contains high levels of linalyl acetate.
Immune-supporting, calming and stress-relieving without leaving you sleepy.
Gives you a feeling of being centred and able to face situations with an optimistic outlook.

Coriander Seed:

Aroma: Fresh, Sweet, Herbaceous
Coriander seed essential oil is high in linalool
Clears mental blocks and brain fog
Immune stimulant and calming of nervous energy.
It invokes tranquillity and is fantastic for a busy mind and racing thoughts.

Sweet Marjoram:

Aroma: Herbaceous, Sweet, Floral
Contains terpinene-4-ol and Linalyl Acetate
Promotes relaxation and sedation, lowering stress and anxiety.
Can help with respiratory conditions and pain relief
Great as a sleep aid with its comforting and warm scent

Lavender is not the only relaxing oil.

You never need to force yourself to like a blend or use a product you are unhappy about. A big part of the enjoyment of aromatherapy is the joy you can get from the scents. Nature provides us with an endless array of choices. We need to pick the ones that suit us best.

Rosemary has been known as a "memory herb" since ancient times. Scholars would often wear rosemary wreaths while studying for exams. This reputation has persisted over the centuries, with rosemary used in traditional medicine to treat various cognitive issues. Research shows that essential rosemary oil can help with cognitive performance and memory in older adults, especially perimenopausal women.

Which type of Rosemary essential oil to choose
A chemotype is a variation of a plant species with a unique chemical composition. Different chemotypes of the same plant species can have various therapeutic properties. Considering the chemotype when choosing essential oils for specific therapeutic purposes is crucial.

The most common chemotypes of rosemary essential oil include:

• 1,8-cineole (also known as eucalyptol) chemotype: This is the most common chemotype of rosemary essential oil and is high in the chemical compound 1,8-cineole. This chemotype is known for its respiratory and cognitive benefits, and it is often used to support respiratory health and improve cognitive performance.
• Camphor chemotype: This chemotype is high in the chemical compound camphor and is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used topically to relieve muscle and joint pain.
• Verbenone chemotype: This is high in the compound verbenone and is known for its skin-regenerating properties. It is often used topically to support healthy skin and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
• Borneol chemotype: This chemotype is high in the chemical compound borneol and is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is often used topically to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Alpha-pinene chemotype: This chemotype is high in the chemical compound alpha-pinene and is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used topically to support healthy skin and promote wound healing.

Choosing a high-quality rosemary essential oil from a reputable source is vital to ensure its chemical composition and potential benefits.

What is perimenopause, and why does it affect memory issues in women
Perimenopause is the transitional phase that occurs before menopause in women, usually starting in their late 30s or early 40s, although it can begin earlier or later. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, at which point she has reached menopause.

Estrogen receptors are located throughout the brain, including areas important for memory and cognition. Estrogen helps to regulate the production of neurotransmitters and promotes the growth and survival of brain cells. When estrogen levels fluctuate and decrease during perimenopause, this can lead to changes in the brain's chemistry and structure, affecting memory and cognitive function.

Additionally, perimenopausal women may experience sleep disturbances, anxiety, and mood changes, affecting cognitive function and memory. These symptoms can be related to hormonal changes during perimenopause and can further contribute to cognitive decline.

Rosemary Essential oil for cognitive performance and memory
The potential cognitive-enhancing properties of rosemary essential oil may help to alleviate some of the symptoms experienced during perimenopause.

In recent years, scientific research has confirmed that essential rosemary oil may help improve cognitive and memory functions, particularly in women aged 35 and above. The chemical component in rosemary essential oil considered beneficial is 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol. It is a monoterpenoid oxide that improves cognitive performance, including memory, attention, and concentration.

In a study published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, researchers found that inhaling rosemary essential oil improved cognitive performance in healthy adults aged 55 and above.
The study participants completed cognitive tests before and after inhaling the oil, and the results showed a significant improvement in their performance.

Another study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that inhaling rosemary essential oil improved cognitive performance in young adults. The study participants were given cognitive tests before and after inhaling the oil, and the results showed a significant improvement in their cognitive performance.

Prospective memory is remembering to do something in the future, like taking medicine or attending an appointment. Some studies suggest that inhaling rosemary essential oil may improve prospective memory.

How does rosemary help memory?
Our brain needs a nutrient called choline to function well. One important chemical made from choline is called acetylcholine. This chemical helps with attention, learning, and memory. Rosemary essential oil has a chemical called 1,8-cineole that might help increase the amount of acetylcholine in the brain, improving memory and cognitive function. Rosemary oil might also improve our mood and reduce stress, which could help with cognitive function as well.

How to use rosemary essential oil
There are several ways you can do this through simple inhalation
Diffuser: Use a diffuser to scent the room with rosemary, ideally one that puffs out intermittently and does not continuously emit an aroma.
Personal Inhaler: Use a personal inhaler and apply the rosemary oil to the cotton wick inside when needed.
Aroma Patch:| Apply an aroma patch for use throughout the day for a continuous passive, gentle diffusion of rosemary
Direct Inhalation: Apply a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil to a cotton ball or tissue and inhale directly from that, taking care not to make contact with the skin to avoid irritation.
If you use an inhalation technique like a personal inhaler or a cotton ball, the advice is to sniff mindfully for at least a few minutes throughout the day. This was shown to give the best results in research and has helped with issues related to brain fog, memory retention and cognitive function. The more you do this, and it becomes routine, the better results you will see in the long term.

Safety Considerations:
It is important to note that while rosemary essential oil is generally considered safe, it should be used cautiously, especially for those with allergies or sensitivities to the plant.
Pregnant and nursing women should also avoid using rosemary essential oil.

Consider using rosemary essential oil if you're looking to improve your cognitive and memory functions, particularly if you're a woman aged 35 and above. Remember to use it cautiously and always follow the instructions of a professional aromatherapist.