It’s that cozy time of year.

There is a briskness in the air that is filled with the sweet aromas of spices, pumpkin lattes, and apple baked goods. Puffy sweaters, comfy pants, and lined jackets begin to fill the streets and make walkways a bit more crowded.

The trees take note that the seasons are changing, and they respectfully and boldly make this announcement to their fellow earth’s inhabitants. This color display varies based on many variables, but with less sunlight to absorb, the chemical process of making food within the green chlorophyll-filled leaves declines. As a result, the trees bloom into their radiant fall hues. (R, R, R, R, R)

In the Northeast, this beautiful painted tapestry of leaves easily catches one’s attention. An involuntary deep breath ensues in the observer with an appreciation that the cold weather can actually be quite inviting. As a result of this free and generous gift from nature, a chilled body is often filled up with warm appreciation.

Along with the innate intelligence of nature to comfort us with its cascade of brilliant colors, it also conspires to enhance the well-being of its creatures through the aromatic influences of essential oils.

In this article, I’ll review four ways the aromas of autumn enhance our resiliency. I’ll also discuss some of my favorite fall essential oils and how they can be incorporated into any wellness regime.

Four Resiliency-Enhancing Properties of the Aromas of Autumn

The intelligence and splendor of the design of nature is truly awe-inspiring.

Not only does Mother Earth bestow on us the calming beauty of its artistry, but it also provides us with its aromas to support our bodies and minds during the fall transition and into the winter months ahead. This is accomplished in four ways. These include:

1. The tickling of our noses with the beloved spice oils of fall. All these herbal aromatics have powerful protective, repair, and wellness properties.
2. The musty scent that is emitted from volatiles during the process of leaf senescence. These volatiles are also known as essential oils, which support the body, mind, and spirit in many ways. Isn’t it interesting that we get a rush of them falling” from the deciduous trees just when we need them?
3. After the interim leaves have all gone, the phytoncides, powerful constituents released from the leaves and stems of fir oils, predominant. These compounds have been shown to decrease stress as they build up our defense processes all through the year. This is why a walk in the woods among the pine and spruce trees can be so exhilarating, uplifting, and promote well-being.
4. Plants vary in the quantities of constituents produced in their essential oils depending on the season, climate, and atmosphere (R, R, R, R, R, R). The essential oils we are enjoying throughout the year are extracted from leaves of plants that are shifting their phytonutrient production based on their survival needs. This results in better support for our human wellness based on the compounds which are specific to the time and place we are using them!

Note: If your essential oils, which are distilled in seasonal climates, don’t vary in scent through the seasons, better read this and skim through my database for the subject of quality. You want your oils to have some variation with changing seasons.

Highlighting Some of the Sweet Scents of Fall

Now that we know some of the benefits of these aromatic delights, let’s look at a few of my favorite fall scents and how to incorporate them into your fall wellness regime.

1. The sweet spice oils of cinnamon bark, clove, and nutmeg are divine to combine in a 3:2:1 ratio for a beautiful smelling “fall blend.” I like to aromatize them in a cold-air, atomizer diffuser. This is to maximize their aroma and enhance their therapeutic properties through keeping their delicate constituents intact. These spice oils are high in antioxidant power, promote defense and repair, are antimicrobial, and their aroma entices abundance. They are uplifting and promote a feeling of comfort.

2. Citrus smells are well-known for their mood and nervous system supporting properties. These scents are also uplifting and have been found to ease anxiety. They are especially beneficial for calming children.

Orange oil is one of my favorites for this time of year. I love the smell and it is a good source of d-limonene. This compound has several benefits including enhancing cellular health, modulating inflammation, supporting digestion, and acting as an antioxidant. Placing a few drops of orange oil into the fall blend above can add to the enticing scent.

3. Just a small dab, less than a drop on a toothpick, of ginger oil stirred into teas and warm stews is one of my favorite ways to add some “heat” into dishes during the fall and winter months. Ginger oil can support digestion, relieve nausea, and ease discomfort. (New to cooking with essential oils? Read this.)

4. Diffusing fir and spruce oils promotes grounding and well-being as they release the phytoncides mentioned above.

Summary & Conclusion

Essential oils are one of nature’s gifts that can be used to enhance our wellness and resiliency during changing times. Incorporating spice, citrus, and fir oils into one’s wellness regime during the fall can benefit the mind and body in many ways.

Who doesn’t want to cuddle up to the cozy scents of autumn as they sip on their favorite pumpkin spice latte’ or warm beverage?

What’s your favorite fall aroma or oil? Share below!