New studies and industry experts say certain scents, including lavender, citrus, rose, jasmine, sage and sandalwood, may ease anxiety, lift mood and even help women sleep better during menopause. The article says the effect happens through the nose, which sends aromas directly to the limbic system, the brain center tied to emotion and hormones, rather than through the bloodstream like creams or other topical products.
A 2023 study in Frontiers in Endocrinology followed saliva samples from 60 women in this life stage and found that controlled exposure to plant-based fragrances such as rose and geranium reduced cortisol levels by an average of about 25%, and sometimes more. Another 2023 study in Fitoterapia found that smelling clary sage oil lowered cortisol by 36% among women in menopause.
Verded Slootzki, a holistic psychotherapist and natural formulator behind the VOS brand, said, “The sense of smell is the most direct route to the limbic system, which is the center of emotion and hormones in the brain.” She said calming natural scents can quiet the limbic system, prompt the hypothalamus to stop adrenal cortisol release, and create a measurable physiological drop in stress hormone levels. She singled out lavender as especially calming and said it is the only essential oil that can be applied directly to the skin. She also named neroli, bergamot, rose, ylang-ylang and frankincense as stress reducers.
Ofer Levin, head of training at Shestovitch, said perfume companies have recently begun adding ingredients once associated mainly with men’s fragrances to women’s perfumes. He described the trend as “yoga for the body,” saying modern perfumes can act as “nervous system regulators” and that woody scents combined with floral notes can appeal to women seeking a scent-based hormonal balance. He cited the Radiante fragrance by Narciso, based on cotton flower, saying 64% of its customers reported feeling calmer after a week of use. His tip was to place a few drops not only on pulse points but also near the tip of the nose.
