By Sophia Swan, Complementary Therapist at Wigan & Leigh Hospice
A familiar smell can bring back a memory in an instant. Freshly cut grass might remind you of childhood summers, while the scent of baking bread can take you straight back to a family kitchen. Smell is our most emotional sense, reaching the parts of the brain linked with memory and feeling faster than any other. This is why certain aromas can have such a powerful effect on mood and wellbeing.
Aromatherapy in hospice care
At Wigan & Leigh Hospice, we use clinical aromatherapy, one of the gentle tools we use to support people living with serious illness. It doesn’t replace medical treatment, but it can sit alongside it to bring comfort, ease tension, and help people feel more settled. As well as supporting relaxation, clinical aromatherapy can be used to help manage a wide range of physical symptoms.
Scents such as lavender, citrus, or mint are often linked with relaxation, improved sleep, or a lift in mood. Aromatherapy, however, is more than choosing a pleasant smell. It involves selecting and blending essential oils safely and meaningfully for each person.
Every session begins with a conversation. We review someone’s health needs and personal preferences to decide whether aromatherapy is suitable. We also explore emotional wellbeing and any personal associations with scent, as an aroma that comforts one person may feel overwhelming to another.
Once we understand the whole picture, we create a blend of two or three essential oils tailored to the individual. These may be added to creams, lotions, or oils. For people who benefit from quick reassurance, we offer a small, pocket‑sized scent stick they can breathe in gently whenever they need calm – a simple way to experience a soothing aroma without filling a whole room.
Using scent safely and meaningfully
Many people enjoy using scent at home to create a sense of peace. A favourite aroma can help a space feel more relaxing, and linking a scent with moments of rest can encourage those feelings again later.
Although essential oils come from plants, they are highly concentrated and not suitable for everyone. Some can interact with medications or irritate sensitive airways. They should never be taken orally and should be used with care, especially around children and pets. During pregnancy they should be avoided, and for therapeutic use it’s safest to seek guidance from a qualified aromatherapist.
What we value most about aromatherapy is its gentleness. In the midst of illness, uncertainty, or emotional strain, a familiar scent or moment of calm can make a meaningful difference. Sometimes the smallest things – a comforting aroma, a peaceful memory, a deep breath – can help someone feel a little more at ease.
Sophia is part of the wellbeing team at Wigan & Leigh Hospice. The hospice provides palliative and end‑of‑life care to people in the Wigan borough, helping them live well for as long as possible. Its wellbeing services support both patients and families with complementary therapies, bereavement support, and counselling.
Note: This article was originally published on the Wigan Today website, on Wednesday 17 June 2026.