The Aromatic Apothecary

12/11/2025

Tyrosinase inhibitors reduce the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is involved in the production of the pigment melanin, so reducing its activity could have a skin brightening effect. Rose essential oil demonstrated the ability to inhibit tyrosinase in laboratory research, making it a novel option to combat skin conditions involving abnormal melanin production and promote an even skin tone.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39323629/

29/10/2025

Hydrosols, sometimes called floral waters or distillates, are the gentle and water-based counterpart to essential oils. They’re produced during the steam distillation process and carry many of the same therapeutic properties as essential oils, but in a much gentler form.

27/10/2025

Inspired by the beautiful Body Butters our group created yesterday, I finally found the motivation to get back into the workshop last night. I’m excited to share that a fresh batch of Nirvana Body Custard is now back in stock!

This much-loved product has been unavailable for a while due to challenges sourcing a responsible and sustainable supply of one key ingredient. Now that it’s back, I don’t expect it to hang around for long—be quick to avoid missing out! This one smells divine!

27/10/2025

Thank you to all who came and made brilliant Body Butter's with us yesterday. You were a great team and created some marvellous natural creams! Your skin will be as soft as the proverbial baby...

26/10/2025

Thank you to all those who came to our Build a Body Butter from The Aromatic Apothecary Class today. You all made some beautiful balms and butters! A huge shout to Calli Pizza Cafe for hosting us and a lovely lunch too!!

25/10/2025

All the Ingredients are lined up ready to go and we are very excited to welcome you all to Build a Body Butter from The Aromatic Apothecary tomorrow. There is still last minute space available of anyone is looking for something to do on a soggy sunday!

25/10/2025

23/10/2025

A recent study founf that rose essential oil and rose floral water possesses antiviral activity against HSV-1—a virus associated with cold sores. Specifically, both rose essential oil and floral water directly acted on viral particles—directly damage or neutralize virus particles—and reduced viral titer—fewer active viruses to infect cells—as well as significantly inhibited viral adsorption—blocked the virus from sticking to cells. Pretreatment of healthy cells with either rose product significantly protected cells against HSV-1 infection, with the EO being more effective. These findings suggest that rose essential oils and floral water are promising anti-HSV-1 solutions that could help prevent or manage cold sores.

Research Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40806646/

21/10/2025

A study investigated how eucalyptus globulus can protect against renal fibrosis, a major contributor to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers used a preclinical model that mimics kidney injury and tested the effects of the Essential Oil. The Essential Oil was administered orally for 14 days and the essential oil was also evaluated in kidney cells in- vitro to confirm mechanisms. In the preclinical model, there was improved kidney function (reduced creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urinary protein, and kidney injury molecule-1), suppressed fibrosis (inhibited fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix accumulation, and decreased alpha-SMA—a biomarker of fibrosis), and reduced inflammation (lowered TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1) as well as oxidative stress (reduced MDA and restored SOD and GSH). Its molecular mechanisms were determined to be through multiple pathways: TGF-β1/Smad3 Pathway and Tryptophan Metabolism / AhR Pathway, with its primary constituent, 1,8-cineole, displaying strong binding potential to target proteins.

Overall, this research suggests that ingesting eucalyptus EO can protect against renal fibrosis by breaking the cycle of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, ultimately providing multi-targeted kidney protection.

Research Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40768808/

21/10/2025

I am extremely excited to have teamed up with Oshadhi Essential Oils to extend the range of compounds available to my practice and fragrance range. Their beautiful therpeutic quality, GCMS batch tested oils are also available for you to buy at a 15% discount through me to share the love and beauty of these oils! I will be putting in an order atvthe end of the week so check out their extensive range and let me know if you want to join the party!

20/10/2025

Did you know that research suggests that deterioration of olfaction (sense of smell) precedes a decline in cognitive abilities? Indeed, olfactory loss is associated with significant losses of brain matter (gray and white) in humans. Loss of olfaction can even predict the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

Knowing the correlation between olfaction and cognition, researchers set out to investigate whether olfactory enrichment (exposure to fragrances) can improve memory in older adults (aged 60-85). Participants in the study were provided a diffuser and seven essential oils (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender). They diffused each oil in a rotation--changing the oil they diffused daily--for two hours as they slept. This process was continued for six months.

The researchers found that aromatic molecules have privileged access to areas of the brain and pathways relevant to olfaction and memory, which may help normalize brain circuitry linked to memory. Remarkably, nightly diffusion improved cognition, memory, and neural functioning by 226%!
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448/full

19/10/2025

The road to recovery after substance abuse is complex and fraught with difficulties related to environmental, biological, and personal factors. A key to success is having the motivation to change and the willpower to confront not only the addictive behaviors but also the underlying emotional and psychological challenges associated with them.

A randomized clinical trial with 100 participants—55 in the control group and 45 in the aromatherapy intervention group—evaluated the effects of inhaling bergamot Essential Oil for adults in outpatient treatment for substance use disorder.

The bergamot group received standard care plus an aroma inhaler that was inhaled from three times daily for seven days. The control group received standard care only. The bergamot group experienced significant improvements in depression and anxiety as well as feeling more at ease, greater enjoyment, and the intention to continue use of the inhaler after trial completion.

These findings suggest that inhaling bergamot Essential Oil may help individuals with substance abuse disorder better confront the emotional and psychological challenges associated with it.

Research Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12332428/