Aromatics and Mental Health Review #3

July 25, 2026

Jade Shutes' Aromatics and Mental Health: A Holistic Approach to AromaPsychology offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between aromatherapy and mental well-being. With her extensive background as an aromatherapist, educator, researcher, writer and advocate for holistic health, Shutes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this richly detailed textbook, a guide for aromatherapy practitioners and anyone interested in understanding how

aromatic plant extracts can support mental, emotional and psychological health.

Shutes frames her approach to aromatherapy within a holistic context, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health through an integrated lens.

Jade's approach to supporting the individual with aromatherapy has always been looking at the whole person's body, mind, and spirit rather than isolating symptoms or focusing exclusively on the physiological aspects of aromatherapy. From contributing factors to the gut-brain connection, Jade has discussed all aspects of life that can influence our mental health.

Part One is an introduction and foundation to mental health. This chapter covers everything from emotions to feelings – the biosocial model to affirmations and breathwork.

Subsequent chapters delve into specific topics, including Part Two: Anatomy and Physiology, looking at the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. From animal studies to human trials and forest bathing, Shutes deeply dives into our mental health and how stress impacts our immune system.

Part Three: Our sense of smell covers the limbic system in depth, aromas and hedonics, aromatics and brainwaves and my favourite section: the power of olfactory learning and conditioning. I have not seen a more comprehensive chapter in a book on olfactory and aromatics.

Part Four: Stress and Resiliency, teaches us about psychoneuroimmunology, the gut-brain axis, various types of stress and every imaginable way to help combat stress.

Part Five: Mental Health with a Focus on Anxiety and Depression dives into anxiety, depression and aromatics, the vagus nerve and mental health and the connection between the heart and trauma.

Part Six: Young Children to Teenagers, focuses on essential oils to help support children and teenagers in various situations.

Part Seven: Sleep and Mental Health looks at the connection between sleep and mental health, essential oils to support sleep, and the integration of progressive muscle relaxation and aromatherapy.

Part Eight: Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Cognition explores neurodegenerative diseases, aromatics, and cognitive enhancement.

Part Nine: Formulating for Mental Health guides us in performing an aromatherapy consultation and explains the importance of active listening with empathy and mindfulness. 

Part Ten, Essential oil indications chart, is a comprehensive chart on essential oils and their indications for mental health. 

Part Eleven: Morphology Blending Technique, Jade defines morphology blending as a method of intuitively approaching essential oils based on the messages or energetics inherent in each plant's specific form and function/role within the plant.

Aromatics and Mental Health is more than another aromatherapy book; it is a guide to mental health. The timing of this book could not have been more appropriate, as we have a society suffering from mental health issues. This book is a must for anyone who works in the healthcare field.

– Michelle Ensley

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