In time it is anticipated that there will be more satisfactory general guidelines in shared terminology  in all research aiming to increase understanding in what is essentially the most subtle sphere of sensory exploration.

Anosmia -  is the total absence of the ability to detect an odour or perfume.

Agnosia – is dysfunctional ability in recognizing smells and can apply to other cognitive senses.

Apocrine – the glandular processes that contribute to one’s personal natural  body scent.

Aroma-chology- is a recently coined term to relate psychological and fragrance reactions and is used specifically in tracing olfactory pathways of the brain.

Aromatherapy – concentrates upon therapeutic benefits of certain aromas and perfumes that are shown to have physiological as well as psychological potential to heal.

Limbic System of the brain – allows aroma molecules to access emotional and sensory memory and is of vital interest for both psychologists and those in the field of psychiatry.

Essential Oils – only those extracted directly from natural substances that can be applied externally through massage of the skin or inhaled to directly benefit the brain. In both physical health and in aiding any psychological condition it is imperative that only the finest quality oils are used.

Artificial Essences – those laboratory manufactured scents and commercially utilized perfumes. These are generally not considered as legitimate in the sphere of aromatherapy although there is a growing awareness in the perfume industry that is stimulating research.

Tags: aromas, delights of perfume, healing aromatics, perfumes, scent, sense of smell, subtle soothing or stimulating aromatics

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

This is an area of understanding that has been generally neglected by orthodox scientific investigation.  It is a subject around which easily developed a cloud of mystique that tended to deter serious attention. But this has changed.

Since publication of Buck and Axel’s work in 1991 when their findings attracted considerable attention and were cited great numbers of times in research journals there has been increasing scientific interest in the subject along with intensifying public interest in aromas and aromatherapy.

This line of work culminated in the Nobel Prize for the scientists who were thereby rewarded for their work that continues, as does the general public interest in the outcomes.

Now with recognition given to the work of Buck and others demonstrating the involvement of a genetic factor with humans coding of odorant receptor genes, there is a growing sense of the important need to explore the subtle but important sensory function of olfaction.

Tags: Aromatherapy, Nobel prize 2004, olfaction, osmic science, perfumes, sense of smell, serious scientific work

It is regrettable that we also must include artificial chemical scents and perfumes in our list of potential negatives that endanger our health. Commercial toiletries including skin perfumes and body oils are usually complex in their make-up, unless they come with a guarantee to be pure, natural products. We must examine the list of ingredients in all chemical products and assess them according to our knowledge of their safety. We must do so on the understanding that many chemicals are not proven as yet regarding safety for general use.

Many of us who have allergic reactions or are hypersensitive to chemicals and suffer irritation or negative reactions demonstrate the factor of individual response in health matters. For those who fall into this category, there is no alternative but to mistrust every item until cautiously tested by personal trial.

Fragrances can affect the body through inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. The most common signs of irritation from, or an allergic reaction to a fragrance in a product develops as a skin rash immediately or soon after using a perfume, cream or lotion. This is a clear warning sign that something is not right and the product must be avoided.

Scents can affect not only the person wearing the fragrance, but anyone who comes into contact with them.  Depending on the degree of sensitivity, some will experience symptoms of varying intensity from nausea and headache, to skin itchiness and respiratory symptoms such as asthma.

This can be a very real and serious issue in a workplace both for co-workers and for the employer who has a duty of care and who must ensure the working environment is safe and free of health risks.

The only sure way to avoid these reactions to scent and chemical deodorizers is to have a policy of a workplace rule to be entirely ‘scent-free’ as achieved with tobacco free zones.

The Canadian Lung Association and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has suggested scent-free policies as such an option for workplaces and public places. If this is adopted it will accentuate the need to use artificial perfumes as a private matter rather than in general public use.  Although this does not include natural essential aromatics, caution and discrimination is advised in employing all aromatics and perfumes.

It will not be long before the need to address this issue attracts general focus.

Tags: body chemistry alters, garden scents, natural perfumes exotic, olfactory sensitivity, safe scented flowers

Eliphas Levi was one of the earliest writers on perfume and the relationship with colour.

Charles Lilly – quoted in the Tattler – refers to his skill in preparing “snuffs and perfumes, which refresh the brain …”

Rene-Maurice Gattefosse was perhaps the earliest pioneer of modern aromatherapy in the 20th century. A distinguished French scientist, he had a laboratory accident that burned his hand. He plunged it into pure lavender oil and its immediate healing initiated further research.

Dr. George Kurti, born in Budapest in 1909 and who attended the Royal Academy of Music, invented a Scent Organ and was interested in developing the subtle healing powers of both music and scent. He believed that essential oils offer regeneration of cells and organs of the body.

Dr. Alexander Cannon K.C.A. of London, applied the developing science of aromatics to the alleviation of neurotic disorders.

Dr. Carrell of Michigan reported good results with perfume used in therapy with the insane and mentally disturbed.

M.T. Chole, of Bombay believes odoriferous matter reaches the parts of the brain not under conscious control and that its perception affects our psychic life and transforms our predispositions.

Roland Hunt, author of many works on the importance of the subtle sciences including the correlation between the musical scale and the harmonics of perfume as aids to elevating human consciousness. Ivah de Bergh Whitten encouraged Roland Hunt, teaching him of the additional influence and importance of colour.

Marguerite Maury, Austrian biochemist from her laboratory in France, introduced aromatherapy into Britain and Europe, as an adjunct to beauty treatments – offering rejuvenation and psychological help, as well as relief of physical ailments. Her scientific work provides the basis of the modern profession of aromatherapy, firmly providing this most ethereal of sciences with a scientific anchorage.

In modern London Danielle Ryman (M.Maury’s Aromatherapy, Piccadilly London) uses radiesthesia to determine which oils and in what combination they are to be used.

Micheline Arcier who trained under Mme Maury concentrates on the individual as a whole and includes dietary reform.

Marietta Kavanagh (William St, London) has developed her own specific formulas for each personality.

Philippe Mailhebiau of France, together with his research into the healing power of aromatics, has researched physical healing related aromatics to the qualities of the soul.

We await further development of the science as we use the essential oils proven to be effective in relieving both physical and psychological ailments and continue to explore the natural delights offered us as we inhale perfumes of our choice.

Tags: breathe well, enjoying meditation, fragrance, healing, mysteries of perfume, nature's perfumes, subtle senses