How to Enjoy a Comforting Aromatherapy Cuddle

By Caryn Gehlmann

During this time of extra stress and social distancing, I’ve been loving the idea of an aromatherapy hug. Basically, it’s the idea of sharing with someone the gift and comfort that can be found in aromatherapy. But what if you could actually provide an aromatherapy cuddle? This month I’m interviewing Jenny Adamou, a mother of two, who’ll share her inspiring way to do just that!

Jenny is the founder of SnooperBear™, and she’s found a lovely way to deliver a comforting aromatherapy cuddle! She designed stuffed animals that have an internal diffusion cartridge hidden safely inside a “tushy” pocket. That way you have a multi-sensory experience of holding onto something soft and cuddly while enjoying the relaxation of your favorite aromatherapy blend safely diffusing.

Research has found that soft toys lower stress levels and promote a good night’s sleep. You can see why when a snuggly stuffed animal is combined with the relaxing benefits of aromatherapy you have a very comforting combination! Parents love how it helps their children benefit from soothing aromatherapy, even throughout the night, without having to worry about knocking over a traditional diffuser. It’s so easy to use because there’s no need for it to be plugged in and no need for water. We’re also finding more than a few “grown-ups” are in love with these too…including me! We’re now carrying SnooperBears in our online store because we’re super fans!

Enjoy this interview with Jenny about the inspiration behind this unique “aromatherapy cuddle” and some ideas on how you can use it to find comfort for your children or yourself!

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I come from a medical family, with generations of physicians and nurses. My own career spanned over 20 years in the medical field. As such, I am well versed in western medicine. Once I had my own family, two beautiful girls with their own health challenges as infants, I became acutely aware of the limitations of western medicine when it comes to kids. I think we are only now as a society really beginning to experience a paradigm shift towards a healthier lifestyle in its entirety. We are becoming less inclined to quickly reach for a pill or quick fix or fad diet to achieve our wellness goals. We are also becoming far more educated, and learning the long-term effects of some of our unhealthier choices.

When and how were you introduced to essential oils?

I was knee-deep in working full-time in a demanding medical sales career and parenting a young toddler. A friend invited me to an oil party at her home where she would give some basic education on oils and we had an opportunity to make a few roll-ons and some oil bath salts. Honestly, I had very little understanding of essential oils at that point, and the idea to get out for a few hours with some fellow moms sounded great! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found myself surrounded by a lot of people with similar needs, and a very supportive atmosphere of sharing knowledge. My friend had mentioned that oftentimes a person will have a strong perceptible response to a particular oil or blend that really resonates with them. I had made a roller with a blend that had Orange, Patchouli, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang and Blue Tansy and it was so peaceful and calming (just what any full-time working new mom needs!) and that was the one that got me hooked. I can distinctly remember the tingling sensation up the back of my neck after I rolled it on, and the wonderful rush of calming sensation I felt travel down my body. I still feel it today when I use that roller. It was kind of off to the races from there.

What was the inspiration behind your business and products?

Being a new mom, and an anxious one at that, when the girls got sick it was troubling to see them suffer. They both had their own challenges with respiratory viruses, and we would see a common correlation with their ability to get quality restful sleep and how it affected their recuperation. Simply put, sleep begets sleep, and when they could not get quality sleep, they could not get well. Although we appreciated the idea of traditional diffusers, our family was looking for a way to get better diffusion in a comforting way that they could snuggle. We were also looking for something more portable and convenient for a busy mom on the go. After ruining countless PJs and teddy bears by smearing menthol ointments and essential oils on them, we realized there could be a better way by putting the oils inside them. Thus, SnooperBear™ was born.

Any recommendations on how to safely use aromatherapy with children?

I leave that to the oil experts! Our plush toys have a 3+ recommended age due to small parts (eyes). I suggest education and closely following oil manufacturer guidelines. Find someone you know who is certified and has extensive experience. And use quality essential oils! This is key for anyone using oils. I know Essential 3 recommends diffusion as one of the safest ways to use essential oils and their Safety Guidelines page has additional recommendations.

How do you personally use essential oils? Do you have a favorite blend or application you can share?

Having a very busy lifestyle around family, business and outdoor fun, I love anything I can use on the go. For the girls at school, it’s allergy roller blends (Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint*), tummy blends for sensitive tummies (Peppermint* and Ginger), and calming, joyful blends for happy thoughts. For me, it’s that roller blend that got me hooked (peace and calming). The girls use their SnooperBears every night with whatever the situation calls for (Lavender for sleep; a comforting blend for respiratory that has Lavender, Eucalyptus, Ravensara and Tangerine), etc.

* Please note that peppermint is not recommended for children 3 and under.

How did you connect with Caryn and Essential 3?

I was looking for someone with extensive knowledge and certification in aromatherapy to guide our understanding, product development to ensure diffusion just the way I wanted, and blends to suggest specifically for kids. After a lot of searching, I found Caryn, who has become a treasured resource for us!

Anything else you’d like to share?

We welcome all oil users to try SnooperBear. It was designed to be used with any oil and changing blends couldn’t be easier. The feedback has been nothing short of amazing! People are sharing all the ways they are using their SnooperBears for things we never even dreamed of, from facilitating sleep to sensory processing disorder to mitigating nausea with childhood chemo. It’s truly been a labor of love.

Thank you Jenny for sharing ways aromatherapy has benefited you and your family! SnooperBear™ is one of the few essential oil products we carry without our e3 label. We absolutely love the concept behind this unique product and wanted to make sure all e3 customers could have access to it as well. The combination of touch and scent make for a sensory experience designed to comfort and fortify our emotional health and well-being whether you’re 3 or 100!

If you or a loved one could use an aromatherapy cuddle, you’ll find our two favorite aromatherapy plush animals in the e3 online store. To receive more suggestions on how to incorporate aromatherapy in your healthy lifestyle, sign-up for our newsletter and you’ll get 20% off your first order.