The use of aromas, fragrances, and scents dates back centuries and across all continents throughout the world and while the sense of smell has always been important to us it has taken a natural resurgence in the past few years and has become an important part of daily life to have a diffuser emitting aroma in homes, offices, and cars for more than just the smell.
Don’t you just love the smell of a home cooked meal, the aroma of freshly baked bread or the aroma that greets you as enter a day spa?
Without realising it you are constantly, emotionally influenced by aroma’s on a daily basis and because of this, it is believed we are more inclined to remember something we smell in preference to something we see, hear or touch.
In 2004, Drs. Linda Buck and Richard Axel were awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their paper that demystified the sense of smell and our olfactory system, including the discovery that there are approximately 1,000 olfactory genes in our bodies (roughly 3 percent of the human genome).
Each olfactory receptor cell is able to detect a minimum number of odours and Buck and Axel estimated the average human being is able to recognise and remember about 10,000 different scents.
As we look for ways to alleviate stress, create a harmonious space, ways help us sleep or clear the mind, aromatherapy essential oils are becoming the ‘go to wellness kit’.
There’s a shift away from synthetic perfumes and unnatural scents by consumers who are wanting natural and organic ingredients in their aromas and scents they use and wear.
Aromatherapy is not just about the smell and there is a growing awareness of the benefits essential oil aroma has to offer and now medical evidence is supporting the ability for the power of scent to heal.
We should not be surprised at the evidence of how powerful the use of aromas is, as ancient Egyptians used aromatherapy for medicinal purposes and many drugs are developed from herbs that were once used for their aroma benefits. In biblical records, the mention of Meyher and Francinsence tells us that aroma and scents were used and treasured for the benefits they offered.
Cleopatra was famed for her beauty as well as her unusual beauty regimes of applying aroma oil daily to preserve her skin and health.
The ancient Egyptian god of perfume was Nefertum, who was also the god of healing is partly responsible for the belief or link between aroma and healing which spread through many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture.
Body-care and cleanliness importance was paramount to the Egyptians so much so that records show that body oil was applied daily by almost all citizens as a form of moisturising and skin protection. It was also often issued in the form of wages to even the lowest classes of workers.
Soon you will become familiar with terms such as “phyto-inhalants™” which has been trademarked by a company in the US, who are working on redefining and re-labeling aromatherapy.
Their aim is to describe its line of plant-based aromatherapeutic formulated to specifically treat health symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and anxiety.
While you can buy aromatherapy essential oils and use them on the body or in a diffuser, to release the oils in a water mist into the air you breathe or smell, which will help with most mood related symptoms, in the future, we hope to see prescription type Phyto-inhalants specific to one’s needs.
Aromatherapists are able to create essential oil blends to help rectify ailments, particularly those related to mood, hormonal issues, mental and some physical problems however as more scientific studies and research are done on the plant extracts and molecules we will gain a better understanding of what it is about the inhalation of aroma that helps heal.
Our brain relates memories in relationship with smells and it’s been discovered that scent can help play a healing role for people suffering from neurological disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s where losing the sense of smell is often an early symptom of the disease and used in its treatment:
Scent therapy can help ground and comfort people with short-term memory loss by triggering positive memories from their past.
At most day spas guests are offered a choice of aromas to smell to select their favourite aroma for their massage. Using the sense of smell is the best way to let one’s body guide them to what is needed because you will always be attracted to the aroma that balances your mood.
Essential oil aromas trigger subtle changes in our bodies, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure, improving breath, and triggering positive memories for stress reduction and due to this euphoric mood change, there has been a large increase in demand for spa guests wanting to take home the aroma they have had during their spa treatments.
Spa guests want pure essential oil blends to use in a diffuser or add to their own body products and some people carry the essential oils with them to work or when traveling just use the bottle to smell the aroma when needed.
When day spa guests take home their essential oil blends from ikatan Spa it has the ability to bring back the memory of their spa or holiday feeling of relaxation.
Whatever way you choose to inhale an aroma you will gain the benefit of their use but it is important to read and use as recommended.
While essential oils are a natural product, they are still potent plant extracts and it is important to buy the best quality possible and not to overuse the amount of scent or mix them incorrectly.
There is a science behind the use of essential oils and if you are interested in their use I suggest buying a book on aromatherapy to learn how to blend precisely and correctly.
Thanks to Global Wellness Institute for providing some of the insight I have mentioned in this article.
Enjoy the aromas that make happy, relaxing memories.
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