We find balance woven all through nature. At the autumn and spring equinoxes, day and night stand equal. The tides ebb and flow with the steady pull of the moon. Each day, dusk and dawn meet for a brief moment of harmony.

Yet somewhere along the way, we’ve come to feel separate from this rhythm. Separated from nature. But we’re not. As animals ourselves, balance is written into us too — our bodies are always working to maintain stability through homeostasis, gently adjusting so everything runs smoothly.

Our connection with plants and trees is another reminder. We breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide; plants take in that carbon and gift us oxygen in return. Breath by breath, it’s a circle of life, a partnership of harmony.

Finding that same sense of balance in the modern world can feel almost impossible. The endless to-do lists, 24-hour news, emails piling up, and smartphone notifications buzzing in our pockets pull us away from our centre. Yet, just as we share a natural equilibrium with the trees, we can return to steadiness within ourselves. Aromatherapy offers us a way to do just that — calming the mind, grounding the body, and helping us find our centre again.

How aromatherapy brings balance

Homeostasis, as I’ve alluded to, is the term used to describe how our bodies are always working behind the scenes to keep us steady. One of the clearest examples of this is in the nervous system, where we have two complementary branches. The sympathetic system is our arousing or “fight or flight” mode — it gets the heart racing, sharpens our focus, and gives us our drive. The parasympathetic branch is the opposite — often called the “calming” mode, it slows everything down, allowing us to recover, restore, and, as the name suggests, feel calmer.

We need both systems to stay in balance. The challenge in our modern world is that the “fight or flight” switch is often left on by all those emails, deadlines, and constant alerts. They keep our sympathetic system running high when what we really need is to soften and settle.

This is where aromatherapy steps in as a gentle ally, supporting the body’s natural balancing act. When we inhale essential oils, they travel directly through our olfactory system into the limbic system — the part of the brain that processes memory, emotions, and stress. Scent has a powerful influence on how centred we feel, guiding us back towards harmony.

Along with their beautiful aromas, each essential oil carries its own plant power — their natural actions and chemical constituents, which can help restore steadiness to mind and body. Take citral, for example, found in “lemony” oils such as May Chang, Geranium, or Palmarosa — it is known for its gently balancing properties. Other oils, like Clary Sage, offer a calming, slowing effect, perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Inhaling these oils allows their actions to support both our nervous system and our sense of wellbeing, gently guiding us back to that place of harmony, where we can feel truly balanced, even in a busy modern world.

Nature-inspired balancing essential oils

Every essential oil is a little drop of nature and using them is a way to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world. Just as plants and trees exchange oxygen and carbon with us, supporting life in a continuous circle of balance, these oils can help us find small moments of tranquillity in our own day.

Beautiful Bergamot essential oil is uplifting yet soothing, bringing brightness without overwhelm, like sunlight filtering through leaves.

Black Spruce essential oil comes from a slow-growing tree, making it perfect to help you reconnect with your calm after a busy day, mirroring the resilience and quiet energy of the forest.

Thanks to the sedative action of Clary Sage essential oil, it can harmonise emotions and encourage a gentle steadiness of the mind.

Frankincense is a grounding essential oil used to gently settle the mind and slow the breath. Its rich and resinous aroma evokes the calm and stillness of nature.

Organic Rose Geranium oil supports emotional balance, creating a sense of equilibrium, much like the gentle rhythm of plants in bloom.

It would be remiss of me not to include Lavender essential oil in this article, as it not only wonderfully supports our mental wellbeing but also offers a range of benefits for the body, helping to restore a gentle sense of balance.

May Chang essential oil with its bright and citrusy aroma is refreshing for our senses whilst keeping us rooted in the present.

The sweet aroma of Palmarosa is both intoxicating and stimulating, lifting the spirits while gently grounding the mind — a perfect example of how essential oils can bring balancing energy and calm in one breath.

Using these oils is a way to honour the balance between us and the natural world, to pause, breathe, and find equilibrium amidst the busyness of modern life.

Beautifully balancing aromatherapy recipes

Bringing balance into your day doesn’t have to be complicated — a few drops of essential oils can create moments of calm, clarity, and grounding wherever you are. 

Here are some of my favourite ways to use them:

Everyday Balance Diffuser Blend: 

Diffuse 2 drops Lavender, 3 drops Bergamot, 3 drops Geranium in water, in either an electrical aromatherapy diffuser or candle burner and diffuse into your chosen room for a maximum of 20 minutes. A gentle floral mix that helps create a sense of calm during your busy day.

Calming Ritual Bath Oil:

Add 2 drops Palmarosa, 3 drops Clary Sage, 3 drops Frankincense and 5ml of Calendula oil to 50g Natural Dead Sea Salt – mix and add to a warm bath. Perfect for a relaxing soak to help you pause and breathe.

Harmony Balm:

Add 8 g Beeswax, 50ml Jojoba oil, and 10ml Borage Seed oil to a bain-marie on a low heat. Once the Beeswax has melted, add 3 drops of May Chang, 3 drops of Black Spruce, and 5 drops of Frankincense essential oil. Mix well and pour into a 60ml jar and allow to cool. To use, massage a small amount into pulse points, especially at the wrists, and breathe in the balancing aroma to bring a little harmony to your day.

Balance is everywhere in nature — in the tides, in the seasons, and in every inhale and exhale we share with the trees. Taking a moment to pause and reconnect with these rhythms can help you find your own equilibrium.

As Albert Einstein said, 

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” 

Kirsty Summerbell
Consultant Aromatherapist

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