The most natural form of aromatherapy comes to us free — from the great outdoors. What better way to experience the aromas of herbs, flowers, trees and grasses than directly as nature intended. Even moist earth smells wonderful, especially during hot weather, when the first summer rains fall on the parched meadows like tears of joy. Then there is the warm, sweet scent of honeysuckle lingering on the air of a sultry summer’s evening, and the cooling aromas of pine, cedar and cypress. Instinctively, we breathe more deeply in order to fully experience their aromas — and the more deeply and fully we breathe, the more relaxed and in harmony we feel.

For nature in her myriad forms offers tranquillity to the frenzied and raises the spirits of the down-hearted. All that she asks in return is a little of our time and attention. Even if you live far from the countryside, the local park can be a source of healing. So try to take some time out each day simply to commune with nature — to walk on the grass, to touch the rough bark of an ancient tree, to listen to the birds, to breathe in the scents of plants and trees, to be at peace for a few precious moments. No matter how much we may love city life, we also need the nurture of the living Earth.

Herbal Beauty

If you have a garden, you could create a fragrant paradise! Instead of growing those enormous scentless roses so beloved of gardeners nowadays, choose an old-fashioned variety such as Rosa gallica or Rosa damascena, both of which produce the exquisite essence of rose. Other fragrant plants suitable for most gardens, at least in Britain, include summer-flowering jasmine, phlox, tobacco plants, night-scented stock, ten-week stocks, sweet peas, mignonette, and of course, herbs such as lavender, camomile, rosemary, lemon balm and the many varieties of mint. Narcissus, bluebells, hyacinth and lily-of-the-valley provide scent in the spring, whereas aromatic shrubs such as the flowering currant (also known as ribes), and evergreen trees such as pine and cypress smell wonderful all year round.

As with the blending of essential oils, you can allow yourself to become totally immersed in the act of creative planting, harmonizing scents and colours with the music of nature. Remember that you too are a part of the garden, and in accord with the spirit of the place.

If you do not have a garden, you may be able to grow some fragrant indoor plants. All you need is a sunny window sill and enthusiasm. Jasmine reigns supreme; it can fill a room with the intense fragrance of its white, star-shaped flowers. Other aromatic plants suitable for growing indoors include lemon geranium and the scented leaved pelargoniums, brunfelsia (an evergreen shrub with large fragrant flowers), heliotrope and the lovely gardenia. Though difficult to grow, the gardenia can be a delight indoors. In spring, when the large, waxy, white flowers appear, the surrounding air is filled with fragrance. More simply, you can plant bulbs of hyacinth in the autumn, to bloom in early spring. Their sweet heady scent is reminiscent of both jasmine and jonquil.

This is living, breathing aromatherapy — ambience in the growing!

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Fragrant Earth