Top 40 Aromatherapy Scents

Woody Scents

1. Sandalwood

Aroma profile: Sweet, warm, rich woody scent with subtle spicy and floral notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, grounding, aids meditation and spiritual practices
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido, Satya
Subjective experience: Users report feeling centered, peaceful and mentally clear
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

2. Cedar

Aroma profile: Fresh, crisp woody scent with balsamic undertones
Aromatherapy benefits: Purifying, focusing, enhances confidence
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Evokes feelings of strength and stability
Cat safety: Potentially toxic to cats, use with caution

3. Palo Santo

Aroma profile: Sweet, woody, slightly citrusy
Aromatherapy benefits: Cleansing, uplifting, enhances creativity
Top brands: Incausa, Shamans Market
Subjective experience: Users describe feeling purified and creatively inspired
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

4. Agarwood/Oud

Aroma profile: Complex woody scent with sweet, earthy and slightly animalic notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, meditative, aphrodisiac

Top brands: Baieido, Shoyeido
Subjective experience: Reported to induce deep relaxation and sensuality
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Resinous Scents

5. Frankincense

Aroma profile: Warm, spicy, balsamic with citrus notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Centering, deepens breathing, enhances meditation
Top brands: Triloka, Fred Soll's
Subjective experience: Users feel spiritually connected and mentally clear
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

6. Myrrh

Aroma profile: Warm, earthy, slightly bitter and medicinal

Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, purifying, aids introspection
Top brands: Maroma, Hem
Subjective experience: Induces a contemplative, introspective state
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

7. Copal

Aroma profile: Sweet, citrusy, slightly piney
Aromatherapy benefits: Cleansing, uplifting, enhances clarity
Top brands: Incienso de Santa Fe, Maroma
Subjective experience: Users report feeling mentally refreshed and purified
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

8. Benzoin

Aroma profile: Sweet, warm, vanilla-like
Aromatherapy benefits: Comforting, warming, reduces anxiety
Top brands: Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Creates a cozy, comforting atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Floral Scents

9. Lavender

Aroma profile: Fresh, sweet, herbaceous floral
Aromatherapy benefits: Relaxing, balancing, aids sleep
Top brands: Kuumba International, Maroma
Subjective experience: Users feel calm, relaxed and ready for sleep
Cat safety: Unpleasant for cats, may cause discomfort

10. Rose

Aroma profile: Sweet, rich floral with slight spiciness
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, heart-opening, enhances self-love
Top brands: Shoyeido, Satya
Subjective experience: Evokes feelings of love and emotional warmth
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

11. Jasmine

Aroma profile: Sweet, exotic, intensely floral
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, aphrodisiac, boosts confidence
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Hem
Subjective experience: Users report feeling sensual and self-assured
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

12. Lotus

Aroma profile: Delicate, sweet floral with aquatic notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, aids meditation, enhances spiritual awareness
Top brands: Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Induces a serene, meditative state
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Herbal Scents

13. Sage

Aroma profile: Herbaceous, slightly bitter and camphorous
Aromatherapy benefits: Cleansing, purifying, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Users feel mentally clear and energetically cleansed
Cat safety: Potentially toxic to cats, use with caution

14. Patchouli

Aroma profile: Earthy, musky, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, balancing, aphrodisiac
Top brands: Satya, Kuumba International
Subjective experience: Creates a sensual, earthy atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

15. Rosemary

Aroma profile: Fresh, herbaceous, slightly medicinal
Aromatherapy benefits: Stimulating, enhances memory and concentration
Top brands: Maroma, Fred Soll's
Subjective experience: Users feel mentally alert and focused
Cat safety: Potentially toxic to cats, use with caution

16. Lemongrass

Aroma profile: Fresh, citrusy, slightly sweet and herbaceous
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, purifying, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Kuumba International, Satya
Subjective experience: Creates an energizing, clean atmosphere
Cat safety: Potentially toxic to cats, use with caution

Spicy Scents

17. Cinnamon

Aroma profile: Warm, sweet, spicy
Aromatherapy benefits: Stimulating, warming, enhances concentration
Top brands: Hem, Satya
Subjective experience: Users feel warm, energized and mentally alert
Cat safety: Toxic to cats, avoid use

18. Nag Champa

Aroma profile: Sweet, floral, slightly spicy and woody
Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, aids meditation, enhances spiritual awareness
Top brands: Satya, Hem
Subjective experience: Induces a peaceful, meditative state
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

19. Clove

Aroma profile: Warm, spicy, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Stimulating, warming, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Hem
Subjective experience: Creates a warm, invigorating atmosphere
Cat safety: Toxic to cats, avoid use

20. Cardamom

Aroma profile: Warm, spicy, slightly sweet and citrusy
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, aids digestion, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Users feel refreshed and mentally clear
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Citrus Scents

21. Lemon

Aroma profile: Fresh, clean, citrusy
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, purifying, enhances concentration
Top brands: Kuumba International, Maroma
Subjective experience: Creates an energizing, clean atmosphere
Cat safety: Toxic and unpleasant to cats, avoid use

22. Orange

Aroma profile: Sweet, fresh, citrusy
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, calming, reduces anxiety
Top brands: Hem, Satya
Subjective experience: Users feel cheerful and relaxed
Cat safety: Toxic and unpleasant to cats, avoid use

23. Bergamot

Aroma profile: Fresh, citrusy with floral notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Uplifting, balancing, reduces anxiety
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido
Subjective experience: Creates a balanced, positive atmosphere
Cat safety: Toxic and unpleasant to cats, avoid use

24. Grapefruit

Aroma profile: Tart, fresh, citrusy
Aromatherapy benefits: Energizing, uplifting, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Kuumba International, Maroma
Subjective experience: Users feel refreshed and mentally alert
Cat safety: Toxic and unpleasant to cats, avoid use

Earthy Scents

25. Vetiver

Aroma profile: Earthy, woody, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, calming, aids sleep
Top brands: Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Induces a deep sense of calm and rootedness
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

26. Patchouli

Aroma profile: Earthy, musky, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, balancing, aphrodisiac
Top brands: Satya, Kuumba International
Subjective experience: Creates a sensual, earthy atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

27. Oakmoss

Aroma profile: Earthy, woody, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, calming, aids meditation
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Users feel connected to nature and grounded
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

28. Soil

Aroma profile: Rich, earthy, slightly damp
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, calming, enhances connection to nature
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Evokes feelings of being in nature
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Sweet Scents

29. Vanilla

Aroma profile: Sweet, warm, slightly floral
Aromatherapy benefits: Comforting, relaxing, aphrodisiac
Top brands: Hem, Satya
Subjective experience: Creates a cozy, comforting atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

30. Honey

Aroma profile: Sweet, warm, slightly floral
Aromatherapy benefits: Comforting, uplifting, enhances positivity
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido
Subjective experience: Users feel nurtured and positive
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

31. Coconut

Aroma profile: Sweet, creamy, slightly nutty
Aromatherapy benefits: Relaxing, uplifting, reduces stress
Top brands: Kuumba International, Maroma
Subjective experience: Evokes feelings of being on a tropical vacation
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

32. Caramel

Aroma profile: Sweet, rich, slightly buttery
Aromatherapy benefits: Comforting, relaxing, reduces anxiety
Top brands: Hem, Satya
Subjective experience: Creates a cozy, indulgent atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Fresh Scents

33. Eucalyptus

Aroma profile: Fresh, clean, slightly medicinal
Aromatherapy benefits: Purifying, aids breathing, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Users feel refreshed and mentally clear
Cat safety: Toxic to cats, avoid use

34. Mint

Aroma profile: Cool, fresh, slightly sweet
Aromatherapy benefits: Energizing, aids concentration, clears sinuses
Top brands: Kuumba International, Maroma
Subjective experience: Creates an invigorating, clean atmosphere
Cat safety: Toxic and unpleasant to cats, avoid use

35. Pine

Aroma profile: Fresh, woody, slightly resinous
Aromatherapy benefits: Purifying, energizing, enhances mental clarity
Top brands: Juniper Ridge, Incienso de Santa Fe
Subjective experience: Evokes feelings of being in a forest
Cat safety: Toxic to cats, avoid use

36. Ocean

Aroma profile: Fresh, aquatic, slightly salty
Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, purifying, aids relaxation
Top brands: Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido
Subjective experience: Users feel refreshed and relaxed
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Complex Blends

37. Dragon's Blood

Aroma profile: Rich, sweet, slightly spicy and resinous
Aromatherapy benefits: Protective, grounding, enhances personal power
Top brands: Satya, Hem
Subjective experience: Creates a powerful, mystical atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

38. Egyptian Musk

Aroma profile: Warm, sweet, slightly powdery and animalic
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, sensual, enhances confidence
Top brands: Kuumba International, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Users feel sensual and self-assured
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

39. Amber

Aroma profile: Warm, sweet, slightly powdery and resinous
Aromatherapy benefits: Calming, grounding, aids relaxation
Top brands: Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo
Subjective experience: Creates a warm, comforting atmosphere
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

40. Oudh

Aroma profile: Complex woody scent with sweet, earthy and slightly animalic notes
Aromatherapy benefits: Grounding, meditative, aphrodisiac

Top brands: Baieido, Shoyeido
Subjective experience: Reported to induce deep relaxation and sensuality
Cat safety: Generally considered safe for cats

Evaluation Criteria for Incense in Aromatherapy

When evaluating incense for aromatherapy purposes, consider the following criteria:

1. Purity of ingredients
2. Burning time and smoke production
3. Intensity and complexity of scent
4. Therapeutic benefits
5. Cultural significance
6. Sustainability and ethical sourcing
7. Brand reputation and manufacturing practices
8. Safety for pets, particularly cats

Cat Safety Considerations

When using scented products around cats, it's crucial to be aware of potential toxicity and discomfort. Here are some key points to remember:

1. Many essential oils are toxic to cats, including oil of wintergreen, citrus oils, pine oils, ylang ylang, peppermint, cinnamon, pennyroyal, clove, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil.

2. Some scents, while not necessarily toxic, can be unpleasant for cats, such as lavender, mint, and strong floral scents.

3. Safe alternatives for freshening your home include:

   • Opening windows
   • Using baking soda to absorb odors
   • Using mild, pet-safe cleaning products
   • Opting for unscented cat litter

4. When using any scented products:

   • Ensure proper ventilation
   • Keep cats away from areas where scented products are being used
   • Never apply essential oils directly to your cat
   • Be cautious with air fresheners, scented candles, and diffusers

Remember that cats have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans. What might seem like a mild scent to us could be overwhelming or even harmful to them. When in doubt, it's best to avoid using scented products around your feline friends and opt for natural, unscented alternatives instead.

Sources
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/compare-and-differentiate-betw-l0D79G_0QRec4_6YsQl6dw#2