Does fragrance for stress relief really work?

Even a rose in a workspace can sharpen focus. Small rituals turn fragrance for stress relief from fleeting indulgence into everyday wellness. While more studies are needed, some have found that certain scents, especially lavende, can lower stress and anxiety.

Heritage, updated for today

For Indian perfumers, wellness and tradition are inseparable. Kapoor reflects: “Our family has been in fragrance for over 200 years. Tradition isn’t something I reference; it’s in the DNA.” He calls his approach “modern tradition”: taking what was once sacred or medicinal and reframing it for today.

Much of his inspiration comes from mid-20th-century archives, revisiting blends by his grandfather and great-grandfather. “I reinterpret these formulations so people can connect with them now,” he says.

Mandanna shares the philosophy, crafting scents with Indian ingredients—pink lotus, jasmine, sugarcane, lychee, passionfruit—blending heritage with contemporary appeal. “By weaving familiar notes into modern formats, fragrance becomes accessible and wearable,” she says.

Thadani stresses sourcing that preserves efficacy and heritage. Vetiver, or khus, steam-distilled from its roots has been used for centuries to calm the body. Rose from Kannauj, distilled in copper deg-bhattis, carries depth that modern methods lack. Ylang-ylang from Tamil Nadu and Assam, when kept true to nature, shows proven calming effects.

“My mother, a practising aromatherapist for over 30 years, began exploring oils for their therapeutic value. Years of her R&D showed which ones reduce cortisol and balance the nervous system,” Thadani adds.

Scent as everyday wellness

Fragrance is moving beyond luxury, becoming a tool for daily well-being. People are beginning to see scent as more than beauty—it shapes mood, environment and experience.

The shift is visible everywhere: offices and retail spaces commissioning scent identities; individuals scenting homes to reset; leaders recognising that atmosphere influences performance, Kapoor notes.

“It shows fragrance is no longer only indulgence—it’s a wellness practice,” he says.

Thadani agrees: “Scent works best in micro-rituals. From facial mists to diffusers, small uses can transform everyday moments into wellness.”

Fragrance lingers in the margins of daily life, shaping mood and memory with subtle force. It reminds us that calm and care are often found not in grand gestures, but in the unnoticed moments that make up our day.

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