The term pot-pourri is from the French. Although intended to indicate a perfume pot, its literal translation is suggested to be ‘rotten pot’! Scented flowers and leaves are used according to season. Simple fixatives are used to help the scent endure and these can include barks, powdered seeds and rind of fruits.

Drying the petals – it is important that flowers are just opened, and at the peak of the blossoming. They are preferably gathered in clear weather so as to be as dry as possible.

Pull the petals gently, discarding other parts of the flower head. Include a few buds for decoration.

Dry the material and flowers away from harsh light or sunshine in a well ventilated place. A simple drying rack can be made from fly screen material or netting.  They must be tended and turned each day. A cheesecloth covering will protect them from insects or strong breezes.

To dry the material fully takes about 4-10 days depending on the weather conditions. If necessary, use a slow oven – no more than 40 degrees or so for a short time only, to complete their drying should the local atmosphere be humid.

Petals are then placed carefully in glass jar or container with lid and kept in a dark cupboard until you are ready to mix all ingredients.

Mixing the Pot-pourri

About 1 tablespoon of spice or powdered resin is required for each quart of petals. Cinnamon bark, mace, cardamom seeds –can then be sprinkled over the petals and fixatives. Also dried citrus peel, rose leaves crumbled or vanilla beans can be gently mixed before adding the oils and tinctures of your choice.

Then add musk or amber or geranium oil, neroli or other essential perfumed oil.

Store for about a week before sampling the mix and adding what you feel gives the note that you wish to your potpourri.  If it is not quite to your liking then continue experimenting until you feel it is just right.

Your will best enjoy presenting your Pot-pourri in an ornamental container and preferably one designed for the purpose.

Tags: dried aromatics freshen, ornamental containers, pot pourri, scent your room

Amongst the several most dangerous fumes that enter our atmosphere in great volume and which we cannot as individuals control are from the constant fumes of vehicles on our roads.  Whether we suffer as pedestrians or drive in air conditioned vehicles or not, we all have to endure this situation in our cities. In some of the worst cities masks are used as some protection. In our cars we can inhale strongly perfumed essential oils.

When disasters occur and fires destroy buildings and commercial factories releasing enormous clouds of toxic chemicals, they wreak havoc that affects the surrounding industrial and residential areas even extending into the countryside. Fumes from plastics and chemicals continue to create mini disasters in the industrial communities as arson is added to the social terrorist mentality of sabotage tactics and weaponry. Many human and animal casualties result from these ‘accidents’ in industry.

Although it may seem of little significance, the aromas and fumes from burning natural essential oils does make a positive contribution by releasing perfumes that help to counter toxic fumes in some small measure. The delightful scents of lavender and eucalyptus, lemon or frankincense certainly encourage us all to breathe more deeply, instead of being inhibited by obnoxious chemical smells.

But we must recognize that any attempt to neutralise the effects of toxic chemical fumes by sacrificing precious natural oils on a large scale would fail miserably. However, the beneficial influence from burning incense in the home and during outdoor entertainment is gaining in popularity.

Only in personal use are we free to use non-synthetic, natural aromatics in our toiletries and in our own homes and gardens. This way can we reduce inhalation of chemicals that cause cancer and other diseases and enjoy the delightful and beneficial influence of natural oils and fragrances.

Tags: aromas, fumes, inhale well, perfumes affect the quality of air, scents, smells, vapours

Atmospheric use of natural essence and oils does counteract to some extent the highly penetrating chemical odours which have, by over use and indiscriminate application of the last decades, caused such widespread environmental disaster upon our planet. Many toxic mistakes cannot ever be rectified. This leaves us with an enduring problem that will extend into the future.  For example, the heavier, traceable chemicals such as DDT which were once used in a manner considered to be ‘safe’ can be traced now in the most remote regions of the globe, in both earth and sea, from the Himalayas to the Antarctica. They are also found in organic life forms from the fish in the oceans to the land living creatures and in humans tainting the milk of nursing mothers in most countries of the world.

It is a sad testament to the powerful destruction that can be caused by indiscriminate use of chemicals without full investigation. This will continue to happen as long as we allow the creators of these chemicals to continue dictating to the scientists who should be impartial in their tests and without any conflict of interest.

Amongst the most dangerous fumes that enter our atmosphere in great volume and which we cannot as individuals control is from the fumes of vehicles on our roads, and from the disasters when fires destroy buildings and commercial factors and release enormous clouds of toxic chemicals as they wreak their havoc. Fumes from plastics and chemicals continue to create mini disasters in the industrial communities as arson is added to the terrorist weaponry.

The traffic problem is being tackled, although is proving difficult with more and more vehicles on our roads. As we trial alternative fuels we will find better ways as seem apparent with the use of natural gas and hydrogen.

Perfumes are used now as they always have been, to smother the unpleasant smells and odours – of individuals, of society en masse and of poor sanitation and odours associated with decomposing material of various kinds. The accent is shifting to counter chemical stenches resulting from commercial and industrial manufacturing processes and the effluents that are involved as a by-product.

Until stringent laws are introduced to reduce the hazard, we must keep alert and reduce our personal inhalation of toxic fumes.

Tags: chemical influence, environmental toxicity, fumes, plastics, pollutants, traffic, undetectable vapours

So becomes necessary to become more aware of the main culprits in our household, office, streets and outdoors. For example…

Asbestos in the environment

We well know how harmful or even fatal are the results of constant exposure to asbestos. Although this was a common problem decades ago in older home construction, it still can present a problem in the environment as in old schoolhouses, houses and workplace conditions established years ago.

Chemicals in food

It seems a wise directive to follow the guideline when choosing your manufactured food products  -  if the listed ingredients on the packet include words you cannot even pronounce – then reject the goods! Many chemicals still used in food products have not yet been proven to be carcinogenic but many offer a potential hazard, even in small amounts.

Artificial scented toiletries and household products

Included in the warning are all the strongly scented products that are formulated using complex chemical mixes. These are not only harsh to our nostrils and can stimulate allergy reactions but are capable of damaging the brain and nervous system.

Avoid careless use of all insect sprays, and aerosols

We may feel confident that we can eliminate insect pests and bad odors but often we are inadvertently sacrificing our own good health. Avoid the use of chemicals designed to kill living things – be they plant, insect or animal – they may result in harming you also.

There is no way to avoid mention of the last, often unsuspected culprit – that resides in some of our most valued perfumery. There is insufficient information available to the public at the present time but as research is intensifying in this particular area we must remain alert so that we can avoid some of the hazards or reduce any danger.

Listen to your nose!  If you notice any unattractive or objectionable odour – limit your respiration until the air seems fresh.

Follow the simple environmental principle to choose to reinstate the simpler, natural ways and lifestyle, where it is appropriate.

Be careful even when using hair sprays and enure that your hairdresser uses all the regulatory protections.

Hazardous Fumes in our Environment include:

Car exhausts

Factory and industry fumes

Volcanic eruptions, gases

Airplane exhausts, wastes

Industrial fires and plastic

Tags: aerosols, avoid breathing traffic fumes, eat organically grown foods, insect sprays, protect your lungs

When disasters occur and fires destroy buildings and commercial factories release enormous clouds of toxic chemicals, they wreak havoc. Fumes from plastics and other chemicals continue to create mini disasters in industrial regions as arson and sabotage tactics are added to the social terrorist mentality and weaponry that exists.

It is a sad testament to the powerful destruction that can be caused by indiscriminate use of chemicals without prior full investigation. This will continue to happen as long as we allow the creators of these chemicals to continue dictating to scientists- scientists who should be impartial in their tests and should be alerting us to dangers of industry rather than protecting vested interests by preserving the status quo.

Alongside the monumental extent of these social problems, it may seem of little significance, that aromas and fumes from burning natural essential oils could, in some small measure, make a positive contribution by releasing perfumes to counter toxic fumes. But through judicious use of essential oils of natural leaves and flowers, as in the case of eucalyptus and lavender and others, we can make a small difference. These wonderfully refreshing fragrances of aromatic plants certainly encourage us all to breathe more deeply, instead of being inhibited by obnoxious chemical smells and polluted atmosphere. Not only using aromatic substances on our person, but burning incense in the home and during outdoor entertainment helps the quality of our local atmosphere and is gaining in popularity.

Perfumes are used now as they always have been, to smother unpleasant smells and odours. Whereas in the past, they were used to attempt to cover up the smells of poor sanitation, this is no longer of vital importance. The focus has shifted to the need to cover ups the chemical stenches resulting from commercial and industrial manufacture and the effluents that are involved as by-products.

However, in attempting to neutralize many objectionable odours, industry has over-used artificial chemical perfumes to now be a common ingredient in the majority of commercial products. Many people have proven to be allergic to this new range of threats to health. Artificial chemical scents and air fresheners are now often banned in the workplace.

Tags: allergies to scents, industry and commerce polluted, no more chemicals, toxic scents spoil

There is an obvious direct relationship between our sense of smell and our breathing. We are aware that we can only register scent by inhalation. If we hold the breath, or if we have a cold or sinus trouble and the nasal passages are blocked, we cannot smell anything at all.

Aromatics play a role in our lives in a variety of ways and we learn to use them to advantage.  For instance, in the case of real estate, many sales have been lost by agents failing to ventilate a house before showing clients through. Yet the simple addition of a pleasing aroma, whether it is incense, coffee or freshly baked bread will make prospective buyers amenable to consider the house as their future home.  Many potential clients are swayed by the first breath and women particularly are affected by any odours or scent that indicates to them something of the subtle atmosphere and influence of a place.

We also know the powerful affect perfumes have upon our memory when we catch a scent that touches on previous experience or reminds us of a particular person, sometimes causing us to be reminded of something long ago.

Perfumes also strongly influence our emotional moods and mental states.

To study what natural oils and perfumes offer and how to use them to advantage in creating pleasing atmosphere in the home, or helping a cheerful mood or offering a comfortable feeling, is to add to the pleasures of life. Some scents have a healing influence and help us reduce levels of stress and there are many known aids known and used in aromatherapy. What is an added bonus is that as well as being effective, it is enjoyable therapy.

There are many interesting discoveries to be made about this subtle but important sense of ours.

Tags: atmosphere and sense of smell, first breath tells us lots, pleasant scent helps us breathe, we enjoy perfume

We are surrounded with scents and perfumes in our social environment and even in the workplace. But these are not the perfumes of nature, the natural ones that are so beneficial to use in reviving our energies and spirits as in the woodlands and outdoors in gardens and in natural surroundings – they are, in the main, the product of chemical laboratories and industry.

However, the addition of attractive perfumes in commerce, once seen to be offering exciting new products seen as innovation, is now known as a potentially threatening influence. This is not only through volume but the fact that many ingredients in their complex chemical compositions are proven to be carcinogenic or toxic to our health.

We are all aware that our environment has become hazardous because of the chemicals that have been used and abused over the last decades. In attempting to improve our health and social environment, we in the twenty first century face a difficult task as much damage has already been done. Without a ban on the manufacture of toxic chemicals our problems will continue.

Because of the obvious danger we all face when we come into contact with any chemicals or hazardous substance, that it will stimulate disease conditions of some kind, we must try to avoid them affecting us through our food, our drinking water, our skin and through our respiration.

The simple solution regarding scents in the workplace is being addressed so that we are not as a group subjected to a general odour or perfume that some find distasteful or to which some may have negative reactions. The idea of Scent-Free workplace environments is catching on, and will probably be established as successfully as the smoke-free ones.

Individually we are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of the natural garden perfumes or the outdoors which remain supremely satisfying, or in the natural concentrates to be enjoyed in essential oils that can serve as both pleasure and benefit.

Tags: inhaled fumes danger, keep safe by breathing natural scents, simple scents are more attractive, stop harmful smells

So we are aware of disasters occurring when fires destroy buildings and commercial factories to release enormous clouds of toxic chemicals to wreak their havoc in our air. Fumes from plastics and chemicals continue to create mini disasters in the industrial communities as arson is added to the social terrorist mentality of sabotage tactics and weaponry. Many human and animal casualties result from these ‘accidents’ in industry.

There seems little we can do to affect the larger social issues but can make a small contribution to improve our individual environment and reduce domestic pollution. Although it may seem of little significance, the aromas and fumes from burning natural essential oils does make a positive contribution by releasing perfumes that help to counter toxic fumes in some small measure. The delightful scents of lavender and eucalyptus, lemon or frankincense certainly encourage us all to breathe more deeply, instead of being inhibited by chemical smells and obnoxious with atmospheres polluted by chemical odours. The custom of burning incense in the home and during outdoor entertainment is gaining in popularity.

Aside from personal toilet, perfumes are used now as they always have been, to smother unpleasant smells and odours. Whereas in the past, they were used to attempt to cover up the smells of poor sanitation, this is no longer of vital importance. The focus has shifted to the need to cover up chemical stenches and industrial effluents. But we have it in our power to neutralise or reduce their negative effects through our employment of beautifully fragrant essential oils in our homes as well as on our person. Their influence extends to give pleasure to others as well as yourself.

Tags: fragrant bath oils, help perfume the environment, oil benefits skin, quiet scented time. special bath time, relax at bath time, scented steam inhalation