In recent years, essential oils have gained popularity not only for their aromatic qualities but also for their potential health benefits. Among these benefits, the ability to boost the immune system against viral infections stands out, especially given the recent global pandemic. Essential oils, rich in aromatic compounds called terpenes, offer various mechanisms through which they can protect and enhance our health against viruses. Understanding Terpenes, the Aromatic Molecules Found in Plants Terpenes are natural compounds found in the essential oils of plants. They provide the distinct aromas and flavors we associate with different herbs, fruits, and flowers. More importantly,...
“We need the tonic of the wilderness... We can never have enough of nature.” - Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. When you have been busy at work all week, it can be difficult to slow down. You may have been rushing around so much you no longer know how to sit still. The stress of a hectic life wears on more than our psyche. As we know, stress has a profound impact on our overall physical health, from decreasing our productivity at work to preventing us from getting a good night’s sleep - stress can...
Commonly referred to as basil, this extraordinary herb has been revered throughout the ages for its intoxicating aroma and potent medicinal benefits. You may have had the experience of rubbing just-plucked basil leaves between your fingers, inhaling its majestic panoply of intertwining scents and feeling instantly refreshed. It is no wonder that basil’s common name is derived from the Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning "king." At once sweet and fresh, spicy and herbaceous, the mention alone of its name evokes precious memories of hand torn leaves destined for a fresh salad or pasta sauce, of timeless summer days and clear blue skies that seem to last forever.
“I declare this world is so beautiful that I can hardly believe it exists.” The majesty of nature can have a profound effect upon our senses - our gateways from the outer world to the inner - whether it results in disbelief in its very existence, as Ralph Waldo Emerson declares, or feelings of profound wonderment and elation. The soothing sight of clouds meandering across a bright blue sky, a bracing gust of wind that refreshes our face, the subtle orchestra of a trickling stream, or the smell of the earth just after it has rained… to venture out is frequently to venture inward, and as we take notice of our surroundings, we often find we are navigating our own consciousness.
Nature is inimitable in its complex beauty, as well as its restorative benefits - a simple deep breath immersed in a verdant canopy of trees can do so much for our mental wellness. It is no mistake that the word ‘inspire’ comes from the Latin word ‘spirare’ - to breathe. It is with this in mind - the basic acknowledgement that we need nature perhaps now more than ever if we are to nurture this connection with ourselves and the planet - that our desire to start CandaScent Labs was born.
