Aromatherapy Associates has partnered with Forest Therapy expert and author Sarah Ivens to create its first new essential oil blend in several years, the brand's first since co-founder Geraldine Howard passed away in 2016.

Inspired by Japanese forest bathing rituals, Forest Therapy (also known as shinrin-yoku), is the idea that spending time in nature and soaking up the forest atmosphere, has a healing effect on the mind and body. This form of natural therapy is believed to improve overall wellbeing, relieve worry and ease stress, as well as refresh and revitalise.

The Forest Therapy collection, designed to help user's lead more 'natureful' lives, features a bath & shower oil and wellness mist formulated with pink pepper, for its uplifting effect and respiratory benefits, juniper berry, to clear the mind, and Mediterranean cypress, for an overall sense of calm.

The blend, formulated by Ivens, is designed to address the daily stresses of modern life through the powerful scent of nature, and is intended to be used as part of a daily ritual to improve mental and physical wellbeing through a connection with nature.

"The benefits are universal, ageless and endless. Reconnecting with nature reduces blood pressure, improves sleep, strengthens the immune system, calms the nervous system and relaxes an overworked brain," Ivens says.

"More and more evidence shows that interacting with nature is key to everyone’s health, like getting enough sleep, water and exercise," she adds.