Aromatherapy - Only Your Nose Knows

By Michael Russell

Scents are and have always been an extremely important aspect of our society. Both historically and presently, scents make up an integral part of our lives. Most everyone has their own favorite aroma. It may be a perfume, a man's aftershave, a certain flower, or a fragrant herb. Many times a scent may bring back memories, either good or bad. These different aromas are undeniably an important part of our every day living.

Incense and aromatic oils have been around and used for many years. Many times used as perfumes but also for religious rituals, for embalming, or to cover up unpleasant odors. Some cultures such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used aromatic plants for health purposes. Still today, many gardeners use certain fragrances to help fend off specific insects that aid in the spread of plant diseases.

It really wasn't until the 1920s that aromatherapy became a formal consideration within the health care industry. Purely by accident, a French chemist discovered the supposed healing effects of lavender oil following a burn on his hand. He, as well as other French physicians, eventually went on to experiment with other oils. France, still even now, remains a significant center in the fragrance and oils industry. Many of these oils are derived from rinds, wood resins, leaves, bark, roots and from flowers. They are frequently sprayed in the air and inhaled or used on the skin by way of massage. They may be used in hot baths or cold compresses. Some oils are even sometimes taken orally which can be quite dangerous because a number of them are toxic if eaten. The most important oils are the hydrocarbons and the oxygenated compounds. They are normally extracted in a concentrated form and combined with a vegetable oil in order to be safe. Familiar names are evening primrose and almond, which are frequently diluted with alcohol when made available to the public.



Aromatherapists understand that these wonderful fragrances help feed the huge perfume and cosmetic industries. However, to them, more importantly, they believe that these substances may improve your mood and promote good health. Specific examples would be how mint, lavender and rosemary stimulate the salivary glands. Camphor and calamus are good for the heart. Bergamot and juniper work as antiseptics. These are simply examples of the alleged positive effects of some of the more known oils.

According to aromatherapists, oils either soothe or stimulate. They have a chemical effect on our hormones and enzymes or they have a psychological effect based on past experiences. One certain fact is that the sense of smell is one of the most acute. It can stimulate memories, emotions and even sexual arousal. As a result, can aromatic oils help manage serious diseases? Probably not, but one cannot argue the fact that certain oils and fragrances do have an impact on our heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. When properly used, these oils and fragrances probably can have a very positive impact within our hectic lives.

Michael Russell
Your Independent Guide to Aromatherapy