Indigenous Peoples have relied on plant medicine to support the body, mind, and spirit since time immemorial. From cedar and sweetgrass to sage, poplar, and chamomile, these medicines have been our allies — not just for healing the body, but for calming the nervous system, soothing the spirit, and creating ritual around rest, clarity, and protection.

I always find it somewhat ironic that today, study after study emerge to demonstrate what we've known all along;  modern science is finally catching up. Neuroscience and pharmacology now prove what our ancestors knew intuitively: that scent, touch, and plant-based compounds can shift our state of being — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I've taken that ancient knowledge and combined it with modern formulation science to create six potent and synergistic essential oil roll-ons. These blends aren’t just convenient wellness tools — they’re rooted in tradition, designed for intentional use, and made to help you return to balance.

Here’s how they work:

1. The Fastest Path to Your Brain: Inhale.

Smell is the only sense with a direct line to your brain’s limbic system — the emotional control center. When you breathe in essential oils, the scent molecules hit olfactory receptors in your nose, which fire signals straight to the part of your brain that governs mood, memory, hormones, and even your heart rate.

It’s why just one whiff of lavender can shift you into relaxation… or why peppermint can jolt you into clarity.

Ive studied the health benefits of essential oils for over two-decades, and have finally honed in on the most effective synergistic blends to harness that instant effect — and steer it intentionally. Whether you’re seeking focus, calm, rest, relief, or joy, scent is your access point.

How Essential Oils Affect Neurotransmitters

What actually happens once scent molecules hit your brain? They don’t just “smell good” — they influence your brain chemistry.

Inhaled essential oils send signals directly into the limbic system, which in turn modulates neurotransmitters — the brain’s chemical messengers that shape your mood and focus:

• Serotonin & Dopamine → lifted by bright citrus oils like Sweet Orange and Grapefruit, supporting joy and motivation.

• GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) → enhanced by Lavender and Chamomile, calming the nervous system and easing anxiety.

• Norepinephrine & Acetylcholine → sharpened by Peppermint, Rosemary, and Basil, supporting alertness, learning, and memory.

These aren’t placebo effects. Modern studies show compounds like linalool (in lavender) and menthol (in peppermint) actually interact with neurotransmitter receptors in the brain — shifting your emotional and physical state in measurable ways.

This is modern science confirming what Indigenous peoples have always known: plants have the power to restore balance to mind, body, and spirit.

2. Topical Absorption = Whole-Body Support

Your skin is a living, breathing organ. When essential oils are applied topically — in the proper dilution — their fat-soluble molecules pass through the skin barrier into underlying tissues and tiny blood vessels. From there, they circulate throughout your body in trace amounts.

This isn’t placebo. Multiple studies have shown measurable compounds from essential oils in the bloodstream — and even the breath — within minutes of application.

This subtle systemic effect is ideal for grounding the nervous system, easing muscle tension, and restoring equilibrium.

Why We Use Both: Double the Benefits

Our roll-ons are designed for dual action:

• Inhalation for instant emotional support

• Topical absorption for sustained physiological benefit

One swipe on your wrists, neck, or chest lets you breathe in the benefits while also soaking them in through your skin.

Six Blends, Six States of Being

Each formula is rooted in both ancestral wisdom and modern plant science — with ingredients chosen for their mood-shifting, body-balancing properties:

🌿 The Root of Calm

Ease anxiety, quiet the mind, and return to center. Grounded in Roman Chamomile, Balsam Poplar, Vetiver, Clary Sage, and Bergamot.

Inspired by: dlaay.yii (Haida), kâmwâtisiw (Cree), yutała (Kwak’wala)

✨ Radiant Bliss

A citrus-floral blend to awaken joy and emotional vitality. Features Sweet Orange, Neroli, Lime, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, and Sweet Birch.

Inspired by: xang.ahlging (Haida), metoni kamôcekâyâhk (Cree), i’kikala (Kwak’wala)

🧠 Focus Flow

For mental clarity, memory, and sustained attention. With Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil, Lemon, Juniper Berry, and Benzoin.

Inspired by: k'aadllgihl (Haida), iyinisowin (Cree), hakwi'sta (Kwak’wala)

🌙 Restorative Rest

Support for deep, healing sleep. Featuring Cedarwood, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Clary Sage, and Black Spruce.

Inspired by: saajaa.uuda (Haida), âstêsini (Cree), xusała (Kwak’wala)

🌾 Sacred Sweetgrass

Purify your energy, lift prayers, and realign. Made with 100% sweetgrass essential oil.

Inspired by: Sing.ga suu (Haida), iyinikahtaw (Cree), hawa'x'ala (Kwak’wala)

🔥 Pain Relieving Roll-On

Eases sore muscles, tension, and aches. Menthol, Camphor, Wintergreen, Eucalyptus, Arnica-infused oil, and Lavender.

Inspired by: Xaay tl’a (Haida), nîsohkamâtowin (Cree), umat̓id (Kwak’wala)

Final Word: This Is More Than Aromatherapy

These roll-ons are more than aromatic self-care. They’re a bridge between ancestral wisdom and modern wellness — rooted in the understanding that plants are medicine.

Each blend carries the potency of scent and skin — but also the deeper medicine of Indigenous language, culture, and connection to land.

For our people, these medicines were never trendy. They were sacred. And now, you can carry that legacy with you — in a form that fits into daily life. Whether you're calming your nerves, reclaiming rest, or calling your spirit home to joy, this is your reminder:

You already carry the wisdom. This is just a way to return to it.

Which blend will you reach for today?

🌿 Frequently Asked Questions

Do essential oils really work?
Yes. Indigenous peoples have used plant medicines for healing since time immemorial. Modern science now confirms that essential oils can influence mood, memory, and even neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA — helping to calm, uplift, or sharpen focus.

How do essential oils calm the nervous system?
When you inhale essential oils, molecules travel directly to the limbic system — the part of your brain that regulates stress and emotions. Oils like lavender, chamomile, and cedar help activate calming neurotransmitters that quiet the nervous system and reduce tension.

What are aromatherapy roll-ons?
Aromatherapy roll-ons are pre-diluted blends of essential oils in a carrier oil, designed for safe topical use. They work in two ways: inhalation (for fast mood shifts) and absorption through the skin (for gentle, lasting support).

Can essential oils help with sleep, focus, or pain?
Yes. Different oils target different states of being. For example, lavender and cedar support sleep, peppermint and rosemary improve focus, while menthol, camphor, and arnica ease sore muscles and pain.

What makes Totem Design House roll-ons unique?
Our blends combine ancestral Indigenous plant knowledge with modern science. Each roll-on is crafted with intention, featuring both the physical benefits of essential oils and the cultural medicine of Haida, Cree, and Kwak’wala language and teachings.