The Effect of Scent on Moods

When we talk about scents it could refer to a variety of applications. From the choice of perfume we wear, to lotions we use, candles we choose, oils, potpourris, etc. It is known that certain scents seem to effect people in different ways.

Some scents are tied to certain memories, and if those memories were good or bad, will probably have a huge influence on whether the scent is liked or not. For instance, if mom made a great apple pie and there were lots of good memories of that apple pie, odds are you would find the scent of apple pie comforting and homey.

Many people have fond memories of a lilac bush in grandma's yard. The list goes on and on. You may want to ask yourself what scents you typically tie to good memories, those could be a good place to start.

There are categories of scents that are commonly known to have certain affects on people's moods. These are listed below:

1. Romantic scents: jasmine, patchouli, freesia, gardenia, rose, sandalwood, cinnamon.

2. Energizers: tangerine, eucalyptus, mint, lemon, bergamot, ginger.

3. Calming: lavender, frankincense & myrrh, cedar, almond, heliotrope, marjoram, hyacinth, vanilla.

4. Refreshing: eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, mint, tangerine, rosemary.

This also helps to explain why we tend to prefer different scents based on our moods. I know mine vary quite a lot, as does my taste in candle scents. I think that's true with most of us. Perhaps it's time to try another type of scent that you wouldn't naturally gravitate to, you may find you discover a new favorite when the "mood" hits you.

By Valerie Garner-Mother, grandmother and candlemaker / owner of Joyful Designs in Soy (Candles). She loves to write on a variety of topics with a warm, and engaging style. http://www.joyfuldesignsinsoy.com

More resources:

RELATED ARTICLES

Home Care for the Monsoon
Given that the monsoon season lasts for a few months in India, there are many aspects that need to be looked into while considering home care needs. In fact, it is a good idea to get a professional to do an inspection of your home, old or new, prior to the monsoon and ensure that you find and fix the problems that keep recurring.

Pass the Salt - Its a Hot Collectible
Part of the attraction of any collectible is the story that surrounds it, and salt-cellars have a tale to tell. Here's what you need to know about this condiment collectible.

Decorating With Lights and Shades
Candlestick, lamp and fixtures for electricity must accord with the lines of your architectures and furniture. The mantelpiece is the connecting link between the architecture and furnishing of a room.

Where to Find Cuckoo Clock Parts
In some places, one might be able to find old men bent over tables with all of the knowledge, expertise and inventory of parts that are necessary to fix a broken or malfunctioning cuckoo clock. For those of us who don't have the time or desire to seek out such eccentric craftsmen, the Internet has become a haven for locating and purchasing any of the hundreds of individual minute pieces that make up a Black Forest cuckoo clock.

A Unique Look at Murphy Wall Beds
California has always been a fertile spot for fresh ideas, including the ultimate space-savers and instant room transformers - Murphy wall beds. Invented around 1900 by San Francisco resident, William L.

Nursery Decorating Ideas: Creating a Timeless Retreat
Decorating a baby room is a wonderful opportunity to create a carefree hideaway - a place of slumber and lullabies.BABY ROOM THEMES?From Tropical Jungle to Noah's Ark, Teddy Bears to Winnie the Pooh: There are many delightful baby room themes to choose from - any one will spark enthusiasm and generate exciting nursery decorating ideas.

A Guide to Vinyl Shutters
Most people would agree that wood shutters are beautiful. They add class and grace to most any home.

Spring & Home Decorating - A Fresh New Look
Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ? The air smells fresh and clean ? Buds on the trees are beginning to open ? Tiny flowers are popping up threw the ground ? Finally that little bird with the red breast is backAll of these can only mean one thing "Spring" has arrived. Those days of blustery storms and frosty drafts have come to an end.

Do It Yourself Bathroom Curtain
Need An Easy Bathroom Curtain Idea?I've always had a hard time decorating my bathrooms. You want them to look more "cute" instead of fancy, after all, it is a bathroom not a bedroom! I wanted to have some type of window treatment over the windows, but the ones I usually picked out were more decorative and elegant and didn't serve as a good shade for those looking in!Those plain old roller shades were perfect for keeping peepers out, but they were ugly! So plain and not colorful at all.

The Benefits of Granite Kitchen Sinks
If you are looking for durability and easy-to-maintain features in your kitchen sink, then granite is the choice for you. Granite composite sinks resist the rigors of everyday life such as denting, cutting, chipping and staining.

The Benefits of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks
Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of materials for new sink installations because of its low cost, light weight, and almost unbreakable construction. Stainless steel sinks are made in many sizes and several thicknesses, measured in gauge.

How to Buy Discount Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a relatively new alternative to standard hardwood floors. It offers similar and perhaps superior qualities of strength, hardness, and appearance.

Building Your Own Grandfather Clock
Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of those things. They are also rather expensive, with heirloom-quality grandfather clocks costing upwards of $10,000, making them inaccessible to much of the population.

How to Choose Discount Wood Blinds
Despite the high-end look, discount wood blinds are available. Constructed from the less expensive types of wood, these discount wood blinds can be very reasonably priced.

How to Decorate Ethnic
FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNICNEW YORK, NY - With all that is happening in the world today - the threat of war, falling stock prices, a recession (in spite of what economists say) - more and more of us are nesting. That is, we are spending more time at home.

The Hunt for Vintage Kitchen Sinks
Want to relive the excitement of California's gold rush of the mid 19th century? Or the grandeur of the Victorian age? If your answer is a 'Yes', try installing an antique sink in your kitchen and mull over the glorious past of your ancestors while eating your meal.Obtaining a real antique or vintage kitchen sink is not going to be easy.

Parsons Chairs: Dining in Elegance
What does your dream dining room look like? Is it rich in color and texture, romantic, cozy, warm, comfortable and inviting all at the same time? Would you love to incorporate colorful fabrics and rich textures in your dining room's d�cor but are not sure how to pull it off? You are not alone. The truth is: Many people long to incorporate the use of textured and patterned fabric into their decorating style but are not sure where they should begin.

Turning Your Childs Room into a Mysterious Jungle
(When designing a child's room, you want to create an atmosphere that inspires and stimulates them mentally. The room should be interesting to the child, and should reinforce both rational thinking, and creativity.

Oriental Area Rugs - Know Before You Buy an Oriental Rug
Did you know that you can usually tell the country from which an Oriental rug originated from its design and style? While we often think of 'Oriental rugs' as having an overall defining style, the truth is that there are many styles of Oriental rugs, most of them growing from traditional patterns and materials common to the country or area in which they originated. Experts in Oriental rugs spend years learning the variations of patterns, materials, colors and weave that are characteristic of the different areas of the Orient.

Purchasing Framed Art For Your Home or Office - a Novel Way to Decorate
Framed art is an ideal compliment to any room of your home or office. Decorating an environment using framed artwork is quick, easy and is usually relatively inexpensive.