Scars - more than just healing - Part 2

It wasn't till I typed my title in part 1 of this blog topic that it made me feel into just how important it is to talk to all interpretations of what you write. Thank you to Sean www.yogasean.com and Sophie www.mettaleaders.com for inspiring this angle on scars coming into my writing work.

In part 1 we went on a physical scar journey aromatherapist-style, and now we will go on a journey together where I will share the emotional scar journey through the lens of nature's oils.

Aromatherapy is at the heart of all the work I do whether in Hydrotherm Massage treatments, kid's wellbeing clubs, 1to1, or group wellbeing sessions, and my humbling reflections are always honed in on the emotional journeys people go on when an oil is present, be it aromatic essential oil or nurturing base oil.

There is often a silent, unspoken observation when my 89 oil-rich kit is opened up to others. The aromas, colours, and textures bring out body language responses that open out into beautiful conversations full of depth, understanding, and openness. The kind of conversations that are full of truth, clarity, knowing, and authenticity. The kind of words spoken that stop you in your tracks, and give both yourself and others a deeper understanding of you.

Which oils open up the most conversation? How does 'open' look to the aromatherapist?

Helichrysum, Elemi, Rose Geranium, Frankincense, Myrrh, Copaiba Balsam, Cedarwood, and Neroli.

The look of 'open' is where there is a leaning in, a return to the oil with intrigue, a curious frown of do I know this aroma or can I just not describe it! The body pauses, slows, and melts into the moment. The silence is often followed with 'what is that?' or sometimes it takes my dialogue to highlight what I witness in their response. Either way conversations on the ancient history of the oil, or its action open up the dialogue to a place of relevance, unearthing why they may have been drawn to it. Also, aversions to the aroma can highlight a different aspect of conversation highlighting why we may be avoiding it in that moment.

What are we opening up dialogue about?

Each oil brings out something different in each of us but there is a general path each oil takes you down which I will share below as the oils can be very guiding if you seek to go to a particular place in your emotions that you haven't quite unlocked yet.

The oils of presence - Helichrysum (also known as Everlasting or Immortelle) & Elemi

Just the names can be enough of an intrigue but the action they have is the same but in different doses. Helichrysum holds you firmly in presence, it's aroma so distracting and almost indescribable doesn't allow you to go to the past or future it is bossy holding you in the now. The question is are you ready to be FULLY present? Elemi gently helps you to dip your toe in presence with a light energy. It allows for exploration and consistently yet comfortably enables you to be present with what is, and presents a comfortable start to the 'presence' journey before journeying on to Helichrysum. Presence is such a wonderful space to heal your emotional wounds but, you have to be comfortable with the pace in your own healing journey.

The oil of balance - Rose Geranium

Palmarosa offers a little of this but more in the sense of skin health balance whereas Rose Geranium taps into your emotional/hormonal balance. When you're ready for this heady scent you're ready, and when not ready you'll know it intuitively. It either brings relief and knowing of what you need or a really strong aversion so tune into your response and go steady. Balance is also about harmony, bringing you into equilibrium and ultimate steadiness. This oils is often so so timely in a person's life!

The oil of expansion - Frankincense

The affinity this resinous oil has with your lungs increases space in your body to breathe and therefore expand. To give your body the space it needs to work through things in life is so powerfully healing. It's ancient history of use and capabilities is magical, and you feel into the faraway lands as you adventure into the energy it provides with every sniff of its essence. Sometimes the space that your body is reaching for is around creativity, and will get you out of a stuck place.

The oil of intuition/trusting what you know - Myrrh

Memories with this oil go beyond your own life, its scent takes you to faraway lands like Frankincense does but it helps you to go deeper and broader into your healing. Tracing patterns known or unknown which helps you to feel connected to greater purpose and possibility - a wonderful energising place to rediscover in yourself!

The oil of gentleness - Copaiba Balsam

Going gently into things is not something we do often enough, and like Elemi, Copaiba Balsam is an invitation to gently find the missing links between your experiences. It brings a synergy of oils together like glue. Finding a missing piece is so comforting so this oil is not to be underestimated in how it can gel things together, and finding it brings peace and harmony so we don't feel like we are missing something.

The oil of strength - Cedarwood

The healing goes straight to your core with this oils aroma, to the very trunk of a tree, your centre, and if we strengthen here we can build out from the foundation. Cedarwood is like putting your structure back in place so you feel sturdy, strong, and can believe in yourself from here.

The oil of growth - Neroli

The opening and growth out across the orange tree is Neroli's blossoms telling you 'it's time to grow'. It's like the key to your future telling you that you're ready, it's time, it's your moment - what a special message this aromatherapy oil brings you at a time when you most need it.

Guiding your life through your sense of smell is something I am in flow of at this time as I am writing prolifically to create guides that show you how you can connect with yourself again with one of your most vital yet numbed senses! Available July 2025 at The Essence Of Clinical Aromatherapy conference being held in Bath, UK before being made available more widely. www.ecaromatherapy.com I'll be showing how aromatherapy can guide you to nature, skincare, and self and will be there to inspire not only individuals but families and professional aromatherapists.

Heal Naturally,

Claire Wellbeing x