Aromatherapy

Aromatics by ROSEBUD

Have you ever smelled a wonderful fragrance as you were walking down the street and tried to image what that smell was? Could it have been a fresh baked apple pie, or maybe a perfume that reminded you of someone very special, or even a fragrance you wanted to have for that special someone? Welcome to the wonderful sense of smell!

A survey composing of 270 students and faculty from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada in the early 1990's, rated the hierarchy of the senses. They rated 80% sight, 13% touch, 7% hearing, people's smell and for taste. Some of the favorite smells were campfires, freshly cut grass, flowers, bakery items, and fresh made coffee. Time after time, the respondents would mentioned feeling invigorated, relaxed, calm, and happy. The horrible or negative smells were broken down in two categories - natural and artificial. Some of natural odors were body odor and sweat, vomit, morning breath and skunks. Artificial odors included cigarette and cigar smoke, exhaust fumes, pulp and paper mills, garbage and decay, and perfumes. These "negative" odors in some cases, were physically powerful by causing headaches or feeling nausea.

Aromas are highly personal. They do not have a language of their own, they rely on our own memories, which can be very selective. Odors can trigger good memories, like the apple pie your Grandmother baked as you watched on in awe as a five year old. Maybe you don't know why a particular smell can turn you off quickly. Could it have been the cologne from your first love? What is this mystery of smell and how does Aromatherapy fit into smell?

Aromas can be natural or synthetic in origin, a single odor (ie: coffee) or a blend of odorants (ie: perfume). Aromatherapy in its traditional meaning, is the use of natural aromatic plant oils in the pursuit of emotional, physical or aesthetical well being. These natural aromatic plant oils are called essential oils. They are extracted from various parts of the plant such as the roots, seeds, trunk, leaves, fruit and flowers. However, synthetic scents and fragrances, are also labeled as aromatherapy, and they are usually produced from petroleum derivatives and other synthetic materials. On the market place you will find aromatherapy grade essential oils, synthetic or reconstituted grade essential oils. In some cases, only your "trained" nose will know the difference between the types of oils.

Smelling is best way to learn about an essential oil. By smelling each essential oil, your nose will develop a "scent memory" and a personal connection with the oil. This is similar to the nose of a wine taster. As you inhale an essential oil for the first time, try to describe the aroma as:
1) Is it spicy, woody, floral, fruity?
2) Is it subtle, pungent, or sweet?
3) Is it light or heavy?
4) Is it balanced?
5) Is it warming or cooling?

Now describe how you perceive the aroma:
1) Did you like or dislike it?
2) Do you associate the aroma with any personal experiences?
3) What emotions do you have that are connected to those experiences?
4) Does the aroma produce those emotions now?
5) Does the aroma affect your awareness: does it rejuvenate or calm, energize or relax?
Don't forget to record each smell experience in a journal and from time to time go back and repeat the exercise for the same aroma.

You can improve your sense of smell by introducing a new smell into your life every day. Enjoy and have fun with the wonderful sense of smell!


With kind permission from Inner Realm Magazine (1/2001 issue)

Bio: Sherrylee Govoni "ROSEBUD" is Certified Aromatherapist and a graduate of the Michael Scholes School of Aromatic Studies, an ARCB Certified Reflexologist, a traditional REIKI Master and Metamorphosis Practitioner. Sherrylee has taught and lectured at: Liberty Science Center, several local colleges, spiritual retreat centers, as well as various Health and Fitness Shows and Expos. Sherrylee can be reached at twinbirch@aol.com or 914 476-1783.