Aromatherapy—the practice of using fragrant extracts from trees, flowers, and other plants for therapeutic benefit—has been a means of encouraging physical and psychological well-being for centuries. Because scents are processed in the brain, certain smells can quiet the mind, and allow us to feel more grounded and at ease. The Wooden Wick Co., a purveyor of natural-scented items for the home, bath, and body, adds another dimension to the self-care tradition by providing supplies and resources for people to make aromatic objects themselves—a therapeutic prelude to another calming experience. The company gets its name from the strip of porous material located at the center of its candles. Using patented technology, each wick is made from  F.S.C.-certified wood and produces an even, virtually soot-free burn (unlike the cloth variety, which tends to mushroom when lit). Compared to cloth wicks, wooden versions push up to 35 percent more fragrance into a room, and even crackle as they burn, like a miniature fire in the hearth.