Essential Oils for Creativity Awaken Your Muse

Are you creative? Actually, we all can be. Sometimes we limit what that word can mean, but really creativity can be expressed in many forms, be that through the arts, writing, cooking, thinking up ways to enhance your business, creating fun things to do with your family and friends, or any other everyday circumstance where we allow ourselves to uncover new ways of being and thinking.

How can you use essential oils for creativity? Our sense of smell is a powerful stimulant of memories and thus, feelings. When we inhale the aroma of an essential oil the molecules enter the nasal cavity and are received by thousands of olfactory nerves, they are then sent directly to the limbic system; this is the part of the brain responsible for memory, pleasure, and emotions. Once in the limbic system essential oil molecules trigger the release of neurochemicals, which are responsible for the range of sensation and emotion that we experience.

To enhance your creative process, try diffusing a few drops of essential oil in your favorite tabletop diffuser or aromatherapy inhaler. (You can make your own inhaler by putting a drop or two of essential oils on a tissue or cotton ball.) Inhale the aroma, before you begin your project, and keep it nearby or tucked into a shirt pocket, for continual exposure to the aroma. Any essential oil can help to enhance creativity. You may like some scents and not others but all will stimulate some thought, feeling or emotion, if you pay attention. You can choose essential oils that calm and relax, that are stimulating, those that are familiar or completely unknown. Here are some suggestions on where to begin:

Essential Oils for Creativity

If you become anxious when you begin your creative project, you may want to focus on essential oils that reduce stress, calm, soothe and relax.

Bergamot Citrus bergamia – Reduces stress, anxiety and apathy
Frankincense Boswellia frereana – Reduces stress, eases mental blockage, reduces anxiety, and aids in inspiration
Geranium Pelargonium graveolens – relaxes the mind, eases frustration and agitation
Grapefruit Citrus paradisi – calms frustration, supports mental clarity, enhances mood and inspiration
Orange Citrus sinensis – Promotes joy, eases nervous tension and worry

Essential Oils for Deepening Your Creative Process:

If you want to explore the unfamiliar, try using an essential oil that you have never used before – you may or may not like the aroma, but that scent could guide you into deeper reflection and a new creative experience.

Basil Ocimum basilicum – Clears and uplifts the mind
Plai Zingiber cassumer – Plai has a pungent aroma most often used for pain relief but also useful for calming anxiety and anger
Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum – Spicy aroma promotes enthusiasm as well as calming anxiety
Cypress Cupressus sempivirens – Clears metal fog and eases nervous tension
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus – Sharp crisp sent, boosts enthusiasm, creativity, understanding, and mental acuity
Jasmine Jasminum officinale var. grandiflorum – Stong sweet aroma known for its aphrodisiac properties
Patchouli Pogostemon cablin – Strong earthy scent that reduces anxiety, assists with clear thinking, and mental stimulation

Some Fun Essential Oil Blends to Explore to Give Your Creativity a Boost

Courageous Blend can calm, relax, and settle the mind and body, and give you the mental clarity and fortitude to try something new.

Concentrate Blend is helpful when you’re feeling restless and need to focus your attention.

Pick Me Up Blend can give you a bit of a reboot, if you’re mental or physical energy is low.

Have fun exploring how you can awaken the inner muse with essential oils for creativity and if you’d like to share your experience, we’d love to hear from you. We’re all different, which is why you need to listen to your nose to see what gives you a creative spark. If you want to learn more ways of using essential oils to enhance your creativity, make sure to download our free ebook.