The Olfactory Evidence
Scent has unusually direct links to emotion and memory.
Of all the senses, smell has the most direct anatomical route to the brain's emotional and memory centers. Here is what the research shows — and what it does not.
A direct route.
Olfactory signals travel from the receptors in the nasal epithelium to the olfactory bulb, and from there directly to the amygdala and hippocampus — the brain structures involved in emotional processing and memory formation — without first passing through the thalamus. The thalamus receives olfactory input secondarily, after the initial limbic processing. This pathway is distinct from vision, hearing, and touch, which route through the thalamus before reaching the cortex.
Edmund T. Rolls, reviewing olfactory and related systems, notes that this direct route from olfactory areas to the amygdala may account for the strong affective and mnemonic responses that scent can evoke.1
Anxiety outcomes across populations.
A 2020 meta-analysis by Gong et al., published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, examined clinical studies on aromatherapy and anxiety. The pooled analysis found statistically significant reductions in anxiety scores, measured by validated instruments, across multiple populations including preoperative patients, elderly individuals, and people experiencing procedural anxiety.2
The authors noted heterogeneity across study protocols — different aromas, delivery methods, durations, and outcome measures — which is a recognized methodological challenge in this field. The review identified consistent directional effects while noting the need for more standardized protocols.
Inhalation: a systematic review.
A 2023 systematic review by Hedigan et al., published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, examined studies using aromatherapy inhalation for psychological and physiological outcomes. The review found that among the more studied aromatic compounds, lavender and citrus-based aromas appeared across multiple trials measuring mood and anxiety-related endpoints.3
AKSHA candles are not aromatherapy devices. Their aromas are an element of the ritual experience and are not intended as a substitute for any medical, psychological, or therapeutic intervention.
Aromatherapy and massage.
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis by Hsu et al., published in Medicine, examined the combined effects of aromatherapy massage across randomized controlled trials. Some studies in the review reported statistically significant outcomes on stress and anxiety measures compared to massage-only or no-treatment controls. The authors acknowledged methodological heterogeneity across trials as a key limitation.4
AKSHA's massage candles combine warmth, touch, and aroma in a single ritual — three elements that have each been studied independently. The combined effect as delivered by AKSHA has not been the subject of clinical research.
Seven aromas: record, interpretation, chemistry.
A — The historical record
The use of seven sacred oils in ancient Egypt is documented in historical sources. Offering tablets from the Old Kingdom and ivory offering trays dating to the First Dynasty (approximately 3000 B.C.) list seven named oils used in ritual and funerary contexts. These oils — named in sources including the Pyramid Texts of Saqqara — were specific preparations of their time, compounded for ritual use.5
B — AKSHA's interpretation
AKSHA's collection of seven aromas — Red Amber (Root), Musk (Sacral), Jasmine (Solar Plexus), Rose (Heart), Cashmere Amber (Throat), Sandalwood (Third Eye), and Lotus (Crown) — is a contemporary interpretation organized around a chakra framework. These seven are not a reformulation of the historical Egyptian oils, nor is such a claim made. They are a modern aromatic collection drawing on the concept of seven as a structuring principle in aromatic traditions across multiple cultures.
C — Documented volatile chemistry
Of AKSHA's seven aromas, three have been extensively characterized in the scientific literature for their volatile compound profiles. Rose (Rosa damascena) contains phenylethyl alcohol, geraniol, and citronellol as primary volatiles. Sandalwood (Santalum sp.) is characterized by α-santalol and β-santalol. Jasmine (Jasminum sp.) contains benzyl acetate and linalool as key aromatic components. The other four aromas in the collection are blended compositions; their molecular profiles depend on the specific formulation.5
"Old Kingdom offering tablets repeatedly referred to the Seven Oils. Their names also appear on ivory offering trays dating to the First Dynasty, approximately 3000 B.C."
— Referenced in The Aromatic Tradition
The references on this page describe findings from olfactory neuroscience, clinical aromatherapy research, and historical documentation of aromatic use. They do not describe effects of AKSHA products specifically, and do not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.
References
- Rolls, E.T. (2013). Effects of odor on emotion, with implications for the neuropathology of emotion. Physiology & Behavior, 112–113, 15–21.
- Gong, M. et al. (2020). Aromatherapy and the central nerve system. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.118
- Hedigan, F. et al. (2023). Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 52, 101750. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101750
- Hsu, W.C. et al. (2019). Medicine, 98(33), e14720. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014720
- Baser, K.H.C. & Buchbauer, G. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.
Discover the tradition in full.
The Aromatic Tradition.
