Did you know that essential oils are used as medical treatments in countries like Germany, the UK, and France? And that scent influences our mood faster than both sound and light – acting as a direct highway to our emotions? Aromatherapy is gaining increasing attention in scientific research for its effects on both body and mind. Dive into the invisible superpowers of nature and discover how scent can be a shortcut to calm, energy, and balance.
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Scents have the power to shift our energy and instantly transport us to another time or place. The smell of lilacs on a warm summer’s day might awaken memories of a childhood garden, or the scent of someone you once loved – or still do.
For thousands of years, essential oils – the foundation of aromatherapy – have played a central role in both traditional medicine and mental rituals. In recent years, research has provided compelling evidence for aromatherapy’s physical and psychological efficacy. That makes sense, especially as the use of aromatherapeutic skincare continues to rise globally, and science seeks alternatives to the excessive medication culture prevalent worldwide.
At Karmameju, we believe in the power of aromatherapy and work with nature’s scents because we believe they have a truly unique, holistic effect – influencing mental well-being while also improving the condition of the skin. We trust in nature and in its purpose: to support our human needs.
Neuroscience – the study of the nervous system – is closely linked to the study of aromatherapy. Of all our senses, smell is the only one that has a direct connection to three key areas of the brain:
- the orbitofrontal cortex, associated with awareness
- the hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory
- and the amygdala, which processes emotions and mood.
This means that scent – more than sound, light, or touch – can instantly influence how we feel. The sense of smell activates emotional and cognitive brain areas directly, without first passing through the thalamus as the other senses do. It’s like a direct highway to the brain (source).
Neuroscience – the study of the nervous system – is closely linked to the study of aromatherapy. Of all our senses, smell is the only one that has a direct connection to three key areas of the brain:
- the orbitofrontal cortex, associated with awareness
- the hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory
- and the amygdala, which processes emotions and mood.
This means that scent – more than sound, light, or touch – can instantly influence how we feel. The sense of smell activates emotional and cognitive brain areas directly, without first passing through the thalamus as the other senses do. It’s like a direct highway to the brain (source).
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Aromatherapy has many benefits, and when we’re surrounded by pleasant scents in our everyday lives, we naturally improve our nasal breathing. Breathing through the nose activates the parasympathetic nervous system – the one that calms us – while mouth breathing triggers the sympathetic nervous system, known for the fight-or-flight response (source). Every time we take a moment to deeply inhale through our nose, we’re supporting better breathing habits.
At Karmameju, we always recommend taking deep inhalations from your palms whenever using aromatherapeutic skincare – whether you’re washing your hands, applying body lotion, or massaging in CALM balm. These small rituals, combined with mindful breathing, invite presence and inner calm.
Western healthcare has long focused on pharmaceuticals as the primary solution for both physical and mental challenges. But this overreliance on medication has led to tighter regulations and a growing shift in perspective.
Many countries – including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and France – have embraced Eastern medical traditions, where clinical aromatherapy has earned a place in modern treatment. Today, it’s used as an alternative or complement to conventional care, helping both hospitalised and outpatient individuals cope with pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep disorders. It’s especially effective in cancer care, palliative treatment, pre-operative anxiety, oncology, hospice care, and end-of-life support.
Most essential oils have been recognised for their effects through thousands of years of use, and today, more and more are being backed by scientific studies.
Western healthcare has long focused on pharmaceuticals as the primary solution for both physical and mental challenges. But this overreliance on medication has led to tighter regulations and a growing shift in perspective.
Many countries – including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and France – have embraced Eastern medical traditions, where clinical aromatherapy has earned a place in modern treatment. Today, it’s used as an alternative or complement to conventional care, helping both hospitalised and outpatient individuals cope with pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep disorders. It’s especially effective in cancer care, palliative treatment, pre-operative anxiety, oncology, hospice care, and end-of-life support.
Most essential oils have been recognised for their effects through thousands of years of use, and today, more and more are being backed by scientific studies.
Lavender
If you take a dive into research, you will meet the marvelous lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), one of the most studied essential oils. Several studies have shown lavender to promote calm, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality – including in this study focusing on anxiety.
Chamomile
Another study with 103 cancer patients measured the effects of massage using unscented plant oil vs. massage with oil infused with Roman chamomile essential oil. After two weeks, the chamomile group showed reduced anxiety and improved symptoms. Those massaged without essential oil saw no such benefits.
German Chamomile
In a recent study, essential oil from German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, also known as Alleviate) was examined for its skin-calming properties. It was shown to reduce inflammation in skin cells by preventing overactivation of certain cellular pathways. In mice with psoriasis-like conditions, the oil helped reduce skin damage by lowering inflammatory substances. The study concluded that German chamomile may be a promising aid in treating psoriasis.
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Lavender and chamomile are core elements in Karmameju’s CALMING series, where we use essential oils that soothe both skin and soul. Below is a small selection of these products.
Bergamot
This study looked at citrus essential oils and their antibacterial properties. Bergamot, rich in natural linalool, showed strong antibacterial activity and was the most effective in fighting bacteria, especially against common foodborne pathogens. Citrus oils are known for their antibacterial benefits and may support blemish-prone skin.
Lemon
Another study documented the anti-ageing potential of lemon essential oil. Clinical trials showed significantly improved skin elasticity from week two to four, unlike the placebo group where no such results were observed.
The ENERGIZING range is built around citrus fruits, warming spices like black pepper, and camphoraceous plants like eucalyptus. Below is a small selection of these products.
At Karmameju, we always develop our products with dual purpose – to support both the mind and the skin. It makes perfect sense that what calms the mind can also calm the skin. As the studies above reveal, aromatherapy can do far more than just smell good – it can, for instance, visibly improve skin elasticity through uplifting citrus blends.
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In a world filled with fast pace and endless stimuli, it’s essential to find simple, natural paths to balance. Aromatherapy is not just about wellbeing – it’s a direct way to support your skin, body, and mind.
Each time we pause to truly smell, we give our nervous system a break and offer the body a moment to reset. Whether the scent comes from the forest, your palms, or your body lotion – it’s an invitation to be present.
At Karmameju, we aim to make that invitation a seamless part of your everyday life.
You can use aromatherapy daily as an addition to your routine, for example by:
Inhalation – via diffuser, steam bath, sauna rituals, or scent sticks
Topical application – diluted in a carrier oil and massaged into the skin
Aromatic baths – adding essential oils to bath water
Spending time in nature – where you inhale phytoncides released by plants and trees
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When we ask, “What suncare do you wear?”, we’re not looking for the perfect answer – but for awareness. With the recent relaunch of KARMAMEJU SUN, Mette Skjærbæk has made it her cause to inform about how choosing sunscreen is an important decision for both our skin and overall health. In this article, she highlights the differences between sun filters and shares why she only chooses mineral sunscreens – for herself, for Karmameju users, and for her daughters.
