Deep Dive Shoshin
[Show-shin] — Japanese
Awaken your beginner’s mind. Approach life with curiosity and openness.
Shoshin invites us to soften our assumptions and return to the world with fresh eyes.
This thoughtfully composed blend opens with the bright clarity of garden mint and the luminous lift of lemongrass. At its heart, calming lavender settles gently into grounding atlas cedarwood, creating a scent that encourages presence, perspective and quiet confidence.
When we truly listen, we are not preparing our next response — we are fully in the moment. It is easy to assume that the way we perceive the world is universal, that our viewpoint is the only “right” one. The philosophy of Shoshin releases us from that need. It creates space to connect more deeply, to remain curious, and to learn from experiences beyond our own.
I try to carry this mindset into my own life — particularly in my work as a GP, where listening without assumption matters profoundly.
How might you cultivate more curiosity in yours?
Garden Mint — The Awakening
After a long winter of rain and grey skies, Spring arrives as a quiet promise of renewal. Our Spring scent captures that first breath of freshness — the gentle emergence of possibility.
Garden mint forms the invigorating top note: crisp, bright and unmistakably clean. Its aroma is often associated with enhanced alertness and mental clarity, making it a beautifully uplifting introduction to the blend.
During our testing process, we also noticed its ability to subtly refresh a space. For me, there is something timeless about a cup of fresh mint tea — soothing for digestion and quietly energising before the next challenge.
Lemongrass — Lightness and Clarity
Lemongrass brings a refined citrus character with herbal depth — fresher and more elegant than traditional lemon notes.
It softens the sharpness of mint while adding radiance and warmth. Aromatically, lemongrass has long been associated with emotional uplift and stress reduction. Some studies suggest its scent may help support relaxation and calm.
We chose lemongrass to symbolise stepping forward — lighter, clearer and ready to embrace new beginnings.
Lavender — The Restorative Heart
A signature favourite at Aycee Apothec, lavender forms the serene heart of Shoshin.
One of the most extensively studied essential oils, lavender is widely associated with improved sleep, reduced anxiety and emotional balance. Its floral-herbaceous character binds the brighter notes together, bringing harmony and depth.
Though lavender blooms in summer, the steady growth of my own plants each spring always brings a quiet sense of optimism — a reminder that renewal happens gradually, and beautifully.
Atlas Cedarwood — Grounded Perspective
Atlas cedarwood anchors Shoshin with warmth and composure.
Rich in cedrol, cedarwood has been explored for its calming properties, with research suggesting its aroma may support relaxation and parasympathetic activity. Its woody steadiness grounds the blend and encourages emotional balance.
There is strong evidence that time spent in nature helps shift us from heightened stress states into calmer physiological rhythms. Cedarwood carries a subtle echo of forest stillness into the home — guiding us gently from winter’s heaviness into spring light.
Giving Back
I founded Aycee Apothec to bring moments of calm and comfort into people’s lives — in ways that extend beyond my role as a GP.
The ritual of candlelight, the science of scent and the creative process of blending have supported me through challenging seasons of my own life. It is therefore deeply important to me that our brand gives back.
Our seasonal limited editions mark the beginning of this commitment.
For Shoshin, 10% of all sales will be donated to Mind, helping to support those navigating mental health challenges.