The Aromatic Apothecary

07/02/2026

🌸🌿 Essential Oils & Perimenopausal Wellbeing: What the Research Says 🌿🌸

The perimenopausal transition — the time leading up to menopause — can bring a variety of symptoms: hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disruption, fatigue, and emotional ups and downs. Many women turn to natural approaches, like aromatherapy, for gentle support.

A study published in Neuro Endocrinology Letters investigated whether smelling specific essential oils could influence salivary estrogen concentration in perimenopausal women. Ten essential oils commonly associated with menopausal support were tested, including clary sage, geranium, rose otto, lavender, frankincense, jasmine absolute, neroli, ylang ylang, orange, and roman chamomile.

✨ What the Research Observed

🔹 Geranium and Rose Otto essential oils
• Inhalation of these oils resulted in a measurable increase in salivary estrogen levels compared with a control scent.
• This effect was not observed with the other eight oils tested, highlighting that specific plant oils may have targeted physiological effects.

🔹 Neuroendocrine pathways
• Smelling these oils appears to influence the autonomic nervous system and brain regions involved in hormone regulation, such as the limbic system and hypothalamus.
• This suggests essential oils may support hormonal balance indirectly, through nervous system regulation rather than by acting as estrogen themselves.

🔹 Safety considerations
• Because the increase in salivary estrogen is modest and mediated via the nervous system, some essential oils may offer symptom support even for women who are cautious about estrogen exposure.
• This makes them promising for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women seeking non-hormonal ways to support mood, sleep, and hot flushes.

🔹 Implications for wellbeing
• Aromatherapy may be more than just emotionally soothing — it can gently influence physiology and hormonal regulation.
• Oils like geranium and rose otto may provide targeted support for mood, sleep, hot flushes, and overall emotional wellbeing.

⚠️ Important context
• Salivary estrogen is a short-term biomarker, not a long-term measure of hormonal replacement.
• Essential oils are not a replacement for medical therapy when clinically indicated.
• Aromatherapy is best used as part of a holistic, individualized approach, alongside lifestyle support, stress management, and professional guidance.

🌸 In summary
Certain essential oils may support perimenopausal women physiologically and emotionally, while offering a gentle option for those avoiding direct estrogen therapies. Geranium and rose otto, in particular, show promise as safe, research-backed aromatherapy tools for perimenopausal wellbeing.

📚 Research reference:
Shinohara K, Doi H, Kumagai C, Sawano E, Tarumi W. Effects of essential oil exposure on salivary estrogen concentration in perimenopausal women. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2017;37(8):567–572.

05/02/2026

🍊🌿 Aromatherapy & Pre-Menstrual Syndrome – What the Research Is Showing 🌿🍊

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome affects an estimated 80–95% of women of reproductive age, often showing up as mood changes, irritability, fatigue, sleep disruption, bloating and menstrual pain. For many women, these symptoms significantly impact quality of life, relationships and daily functioning.

A recent randomised controlled trial, published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, investigated whether aromatherapy using bergamot and grapefruit essential oils could support women experiencing Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and menstrual symptoms.

✨ How was the study conducted?
Ninety women with Pre-Menstrual Syndrome were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
• Bergamot essential oil
• Grapefruit essential oil
• Placebo

Participants inhaled the assigned oil three times daily for 30 minutes, over four days during the luteal phase, across three menstrual cycles.

✨ What did the study find?

🍊 Grapefruit essential oil demonstrated the broadest benefits:
• Significant reduction in overall Pre-Menstrual Syndrome severity
• Improvements in anxiety, depressive mood, fatigue, sleep changes, appetite changes and bloating
• Reduced irritability and pain
• Improvement in menstrual pain symptoms and reduced reliance on coping strategies

🌿 Bergamot essential oil also showed meaningful benefits:
• Significant reduction in overall Pre-Menstrual Syndrome scores
• Improvements in depressive mood, irritability, appetite changes and pain
• Support for emotional wellbeing during the pre-menstrual phase

While bergamot did not significantly reduce menstrual symptoms, it was still effective in addressing many core Pre-Menstrual Syndrome symptoms, particularly emotional and pain-related changes.

💡 What does this mean for women’s wellbeing?
This research suggests that aromatherapy may be a supportive, non-invasive tool for managing Pre-Menstrual Syndrome — especially when used consistently and alongside lifestyle, nervous system and hormonal support strategies.

Natural therapies are not a replacement for medical care, but studies like this help us understand where evidence-based natural solutions may fit within a holistic approach to women’s health.

📚 Research reference:
Özer E, Döner Şİ, Dağ Tüzmen H. The effect of aromatherapy intervention with Bergamot and Grapefruit essential oils on premenstrual syndrome and menstrual symptoms: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025;25(1):162. doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04857-3.

05/02/2026

Be warned... there are some terrifying posts out there promoting the misuse of essential oil made by people with the best of intentions that just dont know better. Essential oils are not food flavourings.... they are not inert and they come with risks! Grapefruit can interact with common medicines.... Citrus Oils can photosensetise.... Spearmint can irritate the skin and mucous mebranes (including the mouth!). These are not substances to put in sweets with your kids!

What a FUN Valentine's Day DIY! Essential Oil flavored conversation Hearts.🩷The perfect project for you and your kiddos.

Recipe from Samantha McCracken

04/02/2026

🌿 Lavender, Sleep & Menopause – What Does the Research Say? 🌿

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common (and frustrating!) challenges during menopause. But can natural solutions really help?

A double-blind randomised controlled trial published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine explored the effects of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil inhalation in postmenopausal women with insomnia.

✨ What did the study find?
Over 29 days, women who inhaled lavender essential oil showed:
• Improved sleep onset latency (falling asleep faster)
• Better sleep efficiency
• Reduced hot flushes
• Reduced depressive symptoms
• Overall improvement in postmenopausal symptoms

Interestingly, both the lavender and placebo groups improved in sleep quality — highlighting how powerful sleep hygiene education and regular support can be. However, the lavender group experienced additional benefits, particularly in sleep patterns and menopausal symptoms.

💜 What does this mean?
Natural approaches like aromatherapy may be a supportive tool, especially when combined with lifestyle strategies, education, and ongoing guidance.

📅 Join us on 11th February
We’ll be exploring:
• Evidence-based natural strategies for menopause
• Sleep, hormones & nervous system regulation
• Practical tools you can actually use at home

If sleep has become elusive, you’re not alone — and there are gentle, supportive options worth understanding.

👇 Comment or message us to reserve your spot or learn more.

03/02/2026

We’ve been blown away by the interest in our Menopause Magic Class next week — thank you!

Just a gentle reminder to please confirm your space if you’ve received a booking link. We currently have more links out than available places, so spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to keep things fair.
Not sure if you’ve already booked? It’s worth double-checking so you don’t miss out ✨

💜💜💜 Hormone Harmony: Honouring the Flow of Female Hormones 💜💜💜

We so often hear women talk about battling their hormones — feeling blindsided by monthly cycles, confused by mixed messages around fertility, perimenopause and menopause, and bracing themselves for symptoms that can derail a day without warning. Whether it’s painful periods, PMS, hormonal migraines, postnatal shifts, cycle irregularity, or the physical and emotional changes that come with perimenopause and menopause, many women are left feeling out of step with their own bodies.

From menstrual cramps and cycle-related mood changes, to hot flushes, brain fog, loss of libido, dryness, skin changes, disrupted sleep and shifting energy — this workshop is for you.

Hormone Harmony: Embracing the Flow of Female Hormones offers a safe, friendly space to explore the full rhythm of female hormones across all life stages. Together, we’ll look at how hormones fluctuate through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postnatal periods, perimenopause, menopause and beyond — and how those shifts can show up physically, mentally and emotionally.

We’ll gently bust common myths (including around HRT), discuss where conventional and natural approaches can sit side by side, and explore how essential oils and other holistic tools may support you in a way that feels aligned with your body and circumstances. You’ll also create practical, personalised products to take home — tailored to the symptoms that challenge you most right now.

Most importantly, this is about connection. You’ll be welcomed into a warm, non-judgemental group of women navigating similar transitions, reminded that hormonal change is not something to fear or fight — and that you don’t have to navigate it alone anymore.

Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Calli Pizza Cafe, Pannier Market, Callington
Course Fee: £25

Booking is essential as spaces are limited and we need to buy the ingredients for take home products. Contact us on Facebook The Aromatic Apothecary, WhatsApp 07540 429439 or book via Calli Pizza. Having been let down before and ended up out of pocket, we now ask for payment to book place- contact us for link.

02/02/2026

🌿 Evidence Spotlight: Healthy Hormones for Women 🌿

As we prepare for our upcoming workshop Healthy Hormones for Women – Menopause Magic: Embrace the Change, we’re shining a light on the science that supports a more empowered, natural approach to menopause.

A 2023 systematic review highlights a critical gap: many women navigating menopause are unaware of the physiological changes happening in their bodies—and the lifestyle and complementary therapies that can truly help.

✨ What the evidence shows:
Research confirms that declining oestrogen and progesterone can affect the body in many ways—vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, stress, sleep disruption, sexual health, bone density, and cardiovascular health.

Importantly, this review found strong support for non-hormonal, non-pharmacological approaches, either alongside or instead of HRT, including:
• 🌸 Aromatherapy – Essential oils such as Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Geranium, and Fennel were shown to help balance cortisol, reduce stress, anxiety, and support emotional wellbeing
• 🧘‍♀️ Yoga & exercise – Supporting neurohormonal pathways and easing both physical and psychological symptoms
• 🌿 Dietary interventions – Foods like Fennel, Soy, Black Cohosh, Red Clover, St John’s Wort, and Date Pollen may help manage hot flushes and sexual dysfunction
• 🪡 Acupuncture – Widely accepted for its non-hormonal impact on menopausal symptoms

At The Aromatic Apothecary, evidence-based aromatherapy is at the heart of everything we do. Our workshops translate research into safe, practical, and empowering tools you can use in everyday life.

💫 Menopause is not a decline—it’s a transition. With the right knowledge and natural supports, it can be a time of strength, balance, and renewal.

Join us for Menopause Magic: Embrace the Change and learn how aromatherapy and lifestyle practices can support healthy hormones—naturally.

📚 Research reference:
Aarshageetha P, Janci PRR, Tharani ND. Role of Alternate Therapies to Improve the Quality of Life in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review. J Midlife Health. 2023;14(3):153–158. doi:10.4103/jmh.jmh_222_22

🌿 Evidence. Education. Empowerment.

31/01/2026

🧪 Research Spotlight: Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) & Chemotherapy Support

Chemotherapy can be life-saving, but its side effects remain a major challenge. A preclinical study using a mouse model explored whether frankincense derivatives could help reduce some of this treatment-related toxicity.

In the study, mice receiving a common chemotherapy combination (busulfan + cyclophosphamide) showed the expected suppression of bone marrow cells and immune function. When frankincense derivatives were introduced — including essential oil, soxhlet oil, and an n-hexane extract — researchers observed improvements in immune markers and overall health compared to chemotherapy alone.

✨ All frankincense preparations reduced chemotherapy-related side effects, with the n-hexane extract showing the strongest effect on bone marrow cell counts and spleen health.

🔍 Why this matters:
This research adds to growing evidence that traditional botanicals like Boswellia sacra may support immune health during intensive treatments — though it’s important to note this study was conducted in animals, not humans.

At The Aromatic Apothecary, we believe in honouring traditional plant wisdom while grounding our work in scientific research. Studies like this help guide thoughtful, responsible exploration of essential oils and natural solutions — always alongside, not instead of, conventional medical care.

📚 Evidence-based. Plant-powered. Responsibly shared.
Research Reference: Al-Hashmi S, Vakilian S, Jamshidi-adegani F, Al-Kindi J, Al-Dhuhli A, Al-Broumi M, et al. Frankincense Derivatives Enhanced Bone Marrow and Spleen Cellularity Following Busulfan - Cyclophosphamide Conditioning Regimen: Management of Busulfan/Cyclophosphamide toxicity. Stud. Rese. Transl. Med. [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 27 [cited 2026 Jan. 3];5. Available from: https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/index.php/srtm/article/view/42111

28/01/2026

BOOKINGS OPEN: Fabluous Footcare Class

We spend a lot of time caring for our faces and hands, but our feet — the ones that quite literally carry us through life — are often the most neglected part of our skincare routine. Hidden away in shoes, expected to cope without complaint, they absorb pressure, friction, heat and fatigue day after day. It’s no wonder that dryness, hard skin, aching soles and general discomfort become so common, yet so rarely addressed properly.

Fabulous Footcare is an immersive, hands-on, all-day workshop dedicated entirely to the skin and wellbeing of our feet. This is about understanding foot skin as its own unique system — thicker, harder-working, and with very specific needs — and learning how to care for it thoughtfully, effectively and naturally. Whether your feet are dry and cracked, tired and achy, prone to calluses, or you simply want to learn how to look after them better long term, this workshop is designed to give you practical tools that truly make a difference.

📍 Calli Pizza Cafe
🗓 1/3/26
⏰ 10am–3pm
💰 £50

We’ll explore why foot skin behaves differently from the rest of the body, what contributes to common foot concerns, and how simple, well-formulated skincare products can support comfort, softness and resilience. We’ll also look at how essential oils and natural ingredients can be used safely and effectively to support circulation, freshness, and skin repair.

Throughout the day, you’ll create a small collection of bespoke footcare products to take home, including:

👣 A deeply nourishing foot balm for dry heels, cracked skin and ongoing protection tailored to your individual needs

👣A revitalising foot soak to soften skin and ease tired, overworked feet and troubleshoot problem areas

👣A gentle exfoliating foot scrub to smooth rough areas and support skin renewal

👣A cooling foot gel to refresh, soothe heat and provide welcome relief for tired, hard working or swollen feet

All formulations can be adapted to suit your own needs — whether you’re focused on intensive repair, everyday maintenance, or simply giving your feet a little more care than they’ve been getting.

This workshop is a welcoming, friendly space to learn, ask questions, and share the experience with others who value practical, natural skincare. You’ll leave with happy feet, a deeper understanding of foot skin, and a set of effective products you’ve made yourself — because looking after your feet isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.

26/01/2026

As we turn our minds to our first class of 2026 these articles strike a chord. We look forward to welcoming you to "Hormone Harmony: Honouring the Flow of Female Hormones"- which reminds us of and builds on our learning from Menopause Magic last year, this session broadening to cover the whole female reproductive life.

Inhalation is a simple, but powerful, way to enjoy essential oils. Because aromatic molecules interact with the neuroendocrine system, they can produce significant positive effects.

Some menopausal symptoms may be due to a decrease in testosterone, combined with other hormone imbalances. A clinical study evaluated the effects of inhaling several different essential oils on testosterone levels in perimenopausal women. What they found was that inhaling jasmine absolute, Roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils increased salivary testosterone levels. Another clinical study found that inhaling 3% beta-caryophyllene (the primary constituent in copaiba EO) significantly increased salivary testosterone levels in young women.

Together, these two clinical studies show that inhaling essential oils can regulate neuroendocrine function to balance hormones in women throughout the reproductive cycle by supporting testosterone balance, the hormone often forgotten when troubleshooting hormonal issues.

Research References:
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/amn/62/2/62_49/_article
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7471126/

26/01/2026

Bookings are now open for this deeply feminine journey into natural support for female hormones — a space to soften, listen, and transform your relationship with your body from foe to friend.
Come as you are, be held in support, and connect with women walking a similar path. ✨💗

To secure your place, please contact us for the booking link — details below.

💜💜💜 Hormone Harmony: Honouring the Flow of Female Hormones 💜💜💜

We so often hear women talk about battling their hormones — feeling blindsided by monthly cycles, confused by mixed messages around fertility, perimenopause and menopause, and bracing themselves for symptoms that can derail a day without warning. Whether it’s painful periods, PMS, hormonal migraines, postnatal shifts, cycle irregularity, or the physical and emotional changes that come with perimenopause and menopause, many women are left feeling out of step with their own bodies.

From menstrual cramps and cycle-related mood changes, to hot flushes, brain fog, loss of libido, dryness, skin changes, disrupted sleep and shifting energy — this workshop is for you.

Hormone Harmony: Embracing the Flow of Female Hormones offers a safe, friendly space to explore the full rhythm of female hormones across all life stages. Together, we’ll look at how hormones fluctuate through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and postnatal periods, perimenopause, menopause and beyond — and how those shifts can show up physically, mentally and emotionally.

We’ll gently bust common myths (including around HRT), discuss where conventional and natural approaches can sit side by side, and explore how essential oils and other holistic tools may support you in a way that feels aligned with your body and circumstances. You’ll also create practical, personalised products to take home — tailored to the symptoms that challenge you most right now.

Most importantly, this is about connection. You’ll be welcomed into a warm, non-judgemental group of women navigating similar transitions, reminded that hormonal change is not something to fear or fight — and that you don’t have to navigate it alone anymore.

Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Calli Pizza Cafe, Pannier Market, Callington
Course Fee: £25

Booking is essential as spaces are limited and we need to buy the ingredients for take home products. Contact us on Facebook The Aromatic Apothecary, WhatsApp 07540 429439 or book via Calli Pizza. Having been let down before and ended up out of pocket, we now ask for payment to book place- contact us for link.

26/01/2026

🌸💰🌿GROUP ORDER DISCOUNT ALERT! 15% Discount!! 🌿💰🌸

I am placing an NHR Essential Oil Order at the end of this week and am inviting you to join me. Not only will you save on postage and packing for local deliveries or collection from me but you can make the most of my 15% discount on top of the many special offers they curently have active on their website!

24/01/2026

✨ Essential Oils & Fungal Health – What Science Says ✨

A recent scientific meta-analysis reviewed 54 studies examining whether essential oils could help support the treatment of fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, nail fungus and yeast infections.

🔬 What was studied?
Researchers focused on three of the most researched antifungal essential oils:

Thyme

Cinnamon

Tea tree

These oils were tested against common fungi linked to human infections, including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans.

🌿 Key findings

Cinnamon essential oil showed the strongest overall antifungal activity, with the lowest inhibitory concentrations across all three fungal species.

Thyme essential oil was particularly effective against Trichophyton rubrum, a major cause of skin and nail fungal infections.

Tea tree essential oil also demonstrated notable antifungal activity, especially against Candida albicans and dermatophytes, though its effectiveness varied depending on the fungal strain and study conditions.

💡 Why this matters
The findings suggest essential oils — including tea tree — could play a supportive role in addressing fungal infections, particularly where conventional treatments are ineffective or poorly tolerated.

🌱 Nature-inspired solutions continue to attract scientific interest, with tea tree, thyme and cinnamon oils remaining strong candidates for future wellbeing-focused therapies.

Research Reference: J Appl Microbiol. 2022 Mar 31;133(2):241–253. doi: 10.1111/jam.15539

There is a useful page by Gya Labs if you are struggling to find further information on the antifungal properties of essential oils:
https://gyalabs.com/blogs/essential-oils/antifungal-essential-oils-how-to-use?srsltid=AfmBOorFY-fYMBtx5MacIiL58AJvsMXX-6K6vzaiI7jibywM1HuGgWUZ

We will cover antifungal essential oils as a part of our Fabulous Footcare Workshop day in March too!