Aromatherapy brands are mushrooming everywhere nowadays; however, getting your hands on quality products can always pose a challenge. What if I told you that an aromatherapy brand called AromaRich exists in a small Himalayan village that crafts handmade products with attention to detail? Let’s get to know them from this article.

My sister introduced me to essential oils when she handed me gift-wrapped lavender-scented candles one Christmas. Memories of childhood immediately flooded through my entire consciousness as soon as I inhaled the wafting fragrance of lavender.

This year, on a trip to the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh – Dharamshala, I came across a beautiful range of aromatherapy products in an eco-friendly book cafe – The Fat Teapot.

I had been in search of a good body scrub made up of natural ingredients for days, and suddenly a jar of Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub with Dried Rose Petals on one of the shelves in the cafe caught my attention.

The sight made me gleeful like a child. But wait, there were more – handmade soaps with essential oils wrapped in colourful kerchiefs, clay aromaspheres, and lip scrubs. These belonged to an emerging home-grown aromatherapy brand called AromaRich nestled in the Himalayas.

Overjoyed, I purchased a few of them, and that’s how this story on AromaRich happened. Keep reading to know how this aromatherapy brand evolved in the Himalayas and how are they contributing to improving your wellbeing.

What is aromatherapy?

There are plenty of ways to define the term “aromatherapy,” but to put simply – aromatherapy is the art of using aromatic substances extracted from plant parts called essential oils that can stimulate your brain via the sense of smell to influence your mood and physical wellbeing positively.

What is meant by essential oils?

Essential oils are compounds obtained from various plant parts. They are rich in molecules bearing the natural aroma or essence of the plant. Essential oils owe their characteristic essence to these aromatic compounds.

Extracted through the process of steam distillation, cold pressing (manual method), or solvent extraction, essential oils are prepared by combining the concentrated plant extract with another carrier oil to make a stable product suitable for use.

There are more than 90 essential oils that are widely used. Aromatherapy is the broadest area of application for aromatherapy oils.

How aromatherapy works scientifically?

Inhalation and topical application are the two chief ways in which essential oils are used.

According to experts, aromatherapy is believed to activate the olfactory/smell receptors in the nose that further transmits a chemical signal to the brain through the olfactory nerves.

The molecules of the essential oil act by activating the limbic system which is also regarded as the emotion processing centre of the brain. Furthermore, it is also believed to impact the hypothalamus that produces serotonin – the body’s natural key to happiness.

Aromatherapy uses

Introducing an emerging aromatherapy brand – “AromaRich – Natural Living Aromatherapy”

After having basic background information on aromatherapy, let’s jump back to where we started – discovering an upcoming aromatherapy brand called AromaRich.

AromaRich, a range of aromatherapy products crafted for healing, wellness, and happiness came into existence in 2018 when Richa Shah decided to launch her entrepreneurial venture.

Having a background in psychology, she understands how the human psyche functions, how our moods get impacted in various ways, and how it can be altered for good with the help of essential oils.

During our interaction, she also added that a couple of years ago she came across an article that provided insight on the presence of heavy amounts of chemicals in bath and body products. Although the popular brands in the market are FDA compliant and are deemed fit for use yet realisation dawned upon her that when we buy bath and body products we often miss checking their composition.

This sparked a curiosity within her and also inspired her to see if she can develop a range of all natural bath & body products. She then dedicated herself completely to finding more about aromatherapy oils and also started learning about making formulations suitable for everyday use. Not only this, but she also gained a couple of certifications in Aromatherapy from reputed institutions.

She has also been using essential oils personally for a prolonged period and that has naturally made her aware of the properties of oils that can benefit humans in various ways.

AromaRich Product Line

Born in the Himalayan village of Banouru, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, AromaRich is an aromatherapy brand that uses 100% natural ingredients to formulate its products.

Free from sulphates, parabens, SLS, mineral oils, and palm oil, the products contain only natural herbs and clays for imparting colour and plant-based essential oils for imparting the requisite fragrance and therapeutic benefits. She uses turmeric for yellow colour, charcoal for black colour, similarly, green clay & spirulina for the colour green, and so on.

The only and slightest exception arises in the case of soap bars as they need to be hardened with substances like lye/sodium hydroxide.

AromaRich’s range of products includes the following:

Customised Products

While interacting with Richa about AromaRich’s product line, we learnt that customization of products is a key offering of this aromatherapy brand. This is what makes her proud about AromaRich that she can incorporate a customer’s preference into her products. At times, she can end up making a completely new product or a new version of an existing product as per the customer’s preference.

So, the USP of AromaRich lies in not being a one-stop solution for all customers but rather in becoming a unique aromatherapy brand that focuses on making each of its products offer a one-of-a-kind experience.

Bath & Body Products

These include soap bars, body and face scrubs, body oils, and more.

Soap Bars

Soap bars are formulated with essential oils to give a relaxing bathing experience. They are available in 65 gms and 100 gms eco-friendly fabric packaging.

Face, Body, & Face Scrubs

The body scrubs are made special with Himalayan Salts, dried flowers, other plant parts, and essential oils.

Adding Himalayan Salts to your bathing ritual can not only relax and calm you but can also enhance the quality of sleep, ease body aches, deliver magnesium to the body, treat certain skin conditions, and even soothe insect bites.

Face & Body Oils

Natural face oils and body oils can nourish your skin in all seasons.

Lip Balms & Lip Scrubs

Lip scrubs and lip balm duo can be the ultimate thing to complete your lip care routine.

Body Butters

You can keep away brutal winters from making your skin chapped and dry with these body butters.

Essential Oils & Essential Oil Blends

If you love essential oils then you can incorporate them in your daily life such as by pouring them into diffusers, using them for aromatherapy massages, steam inhalation, bathing, and more.

For Home & Office Use

Candles, incense sticks and cones can keep your home or office aerial environment clean and fragrant.

Candles & Soywax Melts

Aromatherapy candles are nothing but a bundle of joy. Available in different designs, shapes, and sizes, these cute candles can be perfectly customized and make perfect gifts for loved ones.

Aroma Clayspheres

Clay aromaspheres are a new kind of fragrance diffuser or air fresheners made with terracotta. These can be kept in compact spaces like purses, drawers, cupboards, or hung in cars. Just a few drops of your favourite essential oil added to the sphere can leave a mild wafting fragrance once it is absorbed by the claysphere.

Incense Cones

Incense cones with essential oils can be used anytime and anywhere to lighten and purify the environment.

Know more about this aromatherapy brand from the Q&A

Gain more insights on AromaRich from our conversation with Richa.

How do your products help better lives in the days when pollution and chemicals rule the world?

AromaRich’s products are plant-based; therefore, contain the goodness of nature combined with the piousness of the Himalayas. Our products are hand-made in small batches to impart adequate quality to each product. The therapeutic benefits of essential oils are another plus of using AromaRich products.

Another thing that makes AromaRich products stand out is the customisation that we offer to the clientele to give them a memorable customer experience. If someone needs essential oils for sleeping or something to calm them or has any other specific requirements, then our job is to formulate a product with the requested essential oil to help them improve their wellbeing.

Tell us a bit about a few of your most popular products.

Most of our customised products have been loved by our clients. Apart from that among the lot that is sent to the stores, such as the Geranium, Lemongrass & Charcoal Soap Bars were also liked by people of all age groups. I think most people have an affinity for the aroma of lemongrass and the addition of geranium further enhances the fragrance profile of this product.

The other things that are quite in demand are the Bath & Body Scrubs, Lip Balm with Cocoa Butter & Sweet Orange, and during the winters the demand for Whipped Coconut & Shea Body Butter also spikes.

Green Clay, Cypress, and Peppermint Soap Bar is my favourite as it keeps my body refreshed and fragrant even hours after a bath.

How do you make your products eco-friendly?

We support sustainable living and ecological conservation, and are an environment-conscious aromatherapy brand.

First and foremost, sourcing the raw materials from ethical vendors remains my top priority so that I can ensure that we are never taking anything from nature which is endangered or critically available. We only use raw materials that are abundantly available and can be sourced ethically.

The next preference goes to utilising glass jars, amber-coloured vials, and recyclable fabric packaging for the soaps. However, we need to use a film wrap for the soaps to prevent the action of moisture.

We also reuse bubble wraps from our vendors if we are shipping something far as we do ship our products all across the country. For nearby deliveries, we use paper bags.

Where are your products available? How can people reach you?

 Sharlho – Mcleodganj

 The Fat Teapot Cafe – Rakkar

 My Earth Store – Sidhbari Road

 AromaRich IG handle

How do essential oils help? Do you also make people aware of the way they must use essential oils when they buy your products?

Essential oils can rejuvenate you, heal you, and also purify your home’s aerial environment. They can be used as inhalers, for steam distillation, in diffusers, or for a bath.

Yes, we do make people aware of the benefits of using essential oils and also issue safety instructions & precautions regarding their effective use.

• First and foremost, it is important to always dilute essential oils in carrier oils like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or sesame oil before using them. Direct use of essential oil is not recommended by experts because it can irritate the skin if used topically or sensitive people can experience rhinitis or allergies if they are used via the route of inhalation.
• It is also advisable to use only a few drops of essential oils in the diffuser as essential oils are potent and only a drop can create a lasting aroma. The concept of using more is irrelevant with essential oils, in fact, a small amount often does magic.
• If essential oils are used in a diffuser, then they should do this in well-ventilated rooms or areas.
• Special measures should be taken while using essential oils around pets, children, or pregnant women. Also, if someone has a history of allergies or some other health concern especially related to the respiratory or skin organs then it is a must to check with a clinician before letting them use essential oils or using essential oils in their presence.

What is your vision with AromaRich?

I wish to promote an eclectic approach toward living among people. I want my aromatherapy brand to reach people who want to have a holistic experience with aromatherapy and essential oils, especially if it makes them feel rejuvenated or used for healing purposes.

This year my goal is to introduce soy wax candles and incense cones as well as incense sticks.

Final Note

Aromatherapy is an ancient branch of phytotherapy; however, the sprouting of commercial aromatherapy brands has seen a rise in the past few decades. AromaRich is an indigenous brand that is adding value to its product line by offering customisation and making hand-made products. Furthermore, they are also shipping their products in eco-friendly packages all across the country. If you are in the area for a trip or wish to de-stress yourself, then you can try out their products by ordering them right away or stopping by the locations mentioned above.

Images: Simple Psychology, Instagram page of AromaRich

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