Archive for the ‘General’ Category
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ABOUT PERFUME AND ESSENTIAL OILS
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Perfumes are very popular.
The natural sensory enjoyment of perfumes out in the garden provides us with delightful olfactory experiences when we are out in the open air. However, through the sophisticated art of the perfumier we are now able to enjoy perfumes at any time we choose.
We enjoy a perfume lover’s heaven in modern times, with consumers able to access some of the finest produce from the famous perfume houses of the world. In this regard our current affluence would be beyond the comprehension of those people back in our history who valued aromatic substances as much as gold.
Wonderful scents and perfumes are now easily available in toiletries and body perfumes.Although the costs are relatively high, products based on purely natural oils are best.
Demand for these has increased with the growth of new professions such as aromatherapy which depends upon products untainted by chemicals in order to offer healing and give clients relief from suffering.
Aromas provide a very pleasant and effective therapy. We have experienced a fascinating development in the use of aromatics and the emerging science of osmics. This newly recognized science is attracting attention of physical therapists as well as psychologists.
Perfume represents a special cultural refinement and almost a personal necessity for women, but there are also many scents and essential oils available for men to use and enjoy. As consumers, we are offered a bewildering range of different perfume labels from which to choose. For decision making we must rely upon our intuitive reaction to a product and in its use, remind ourselves that subtlety is best.
Incense sticks provide a means of perfuming through fumes arising from burning aromatic material. This is where our word for perfume originated.
In a variety of ways we seek to indulge our sense of olfaction as we continue to increase the use of perfumes in our lives. And of course, regardless of personal wealth, we all share the freedom to enjoy the perfumes in nature in our walks in the wild, in our enjoyment of our garden, or in the delicate scent of a rose.
Our sole method of appreciation of any perfume is by inhaling it through respiration.
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JOYFUL CHRISTMAS PERFUMES
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
We have traditions that relate to the sights, the colours, the sounds and the symbols of this sacred season of Christmas and the birth of Christ. All these traditional practices that appeal to us are retained in some degree, whether it is the ornamented fir tree, the nativity symbols, the star of Bethlehem, the candles, the carols, and of course the feasting. We choose to follow the customs in our own special way.
However it is only the church that retains the myrrh and frankincense in the ritual censing in church ceremony to give us the olfactory reminder of the sacred occasion as we inhale the aromatic fumes and bathe in the atmosphere that stirs our spiritual aspirations.
In the home it may be difficult to imbue the activities of feasting and food preparation with the spiritual thoughts associated with the birth of Christ and our recognition of the spiritual reality of His Being and His teachings. We need quiet moments to meditate upon the deep significance of the message and the need for simplicity, love and the aspiration towards perfection of our nature.
Apart from church attendance, we can find ways to increase our pleasure and add the special Christmas scents and sounds by injecting frankincense and sandalwood and other uplifting aromas into our home atmosphere. We can play and enjoy traditional hymns and carols and favourite sounds of beautiful classical music- in particular, the Gregorian Chants. In this way we create our own special atmosphere for Christmas and help to keep alive the essential spiritual quality of the celebration of this time of year that has long, long association with the spirit of joy and new life.
To the aromas of the Christmas fir tree and the feasting, we can add at appropriate times the scent of frankincense by burning it in our incense bowl or by dabbing a little of the essential oil on our bodies so that we can have constant enjoyment of its fragrance throughout the day.
But because perfume is particularly potent in awakening our senses in our own personal way, we may choose to add other perfumes that have their own special magic and power to uplift our spirits. The scent of orange blossom, captured in the essential Oil of Neroli is a favourite choice. So, enjoy!
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INTERESTING AROMATICS …
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
PLANTS FOR PERFUME
There are an estimated 80,000 plant species in the world. However, pleasantly perfumed plants are rare. Only about one tenth of the known species are suitable for providing us with the aromatic resins and essential oil required in the production of perfumes.
FLOWER COLOUR
The colours of flowers relate to their perfume. White flowers predominant in having fine scent, then yellow, red, blue, violet and with green far behind. There are very few orange or brownish coloured flowers that possess an attractive perfume.
SCENTS CAN ALTER IN CHARACTER
Most women are aware of the fact that skin perfumes are variable both upon their own body as upon another, sometimes quite dramatically so. Scents can alter with temperature, atmospheric influences and chemical alterations. In perfumery it is well evidenced that skin perfumes alter with a woman’s health as well as changing external conditions.
In nature we have changes that are dramatic with some flowers seeming without perfume in the day but at night exuding potent perfume, and vice versa. This allows for some scents being advised as night perfumes and others for day use.
Many perfumes are extracted by the process of crushing, called maceration. However, the plant Henna has an exquisite scent until it is crushed, and then it becomes almost unpleasant.
TIME – How long does a perfume last?
Modern perfumery uses alcohol and ‘fixatives’ to help stabilize the product chemically so there is little likelihood that an expensive quality perfume will deteriorate to cause concern with age.
There is evidence that oils and scents of ancient times, for instance, can sometimes still retain a vestige of perfume after thousands of years – how is this possible ?
MYSTERIES
The perfumes of flowers usually exude in waves and cycles but much of this process still remains mysterious. We only find that their differing habits must relate to the activity of the insects upon which they depend for pollination.
An American perennial, known as the Musk Plant Mimulus moschatus perplexed botanists when the plants all over the world suddenly and simultaneously lost their perfume. Even plants in the wild lost their scent at this time. It remains a botanical mystery to this day.
ELUSIVE NATURE OF VIOLET SCENT
One’s enjoyment of the perfume of the violet flower is fleeting because a substance within the violet flower called ionine inhibits our sense of smell. The flower does not lose fragrance – we lose our perception and must take a few breaths to recover before enjoying another sweet sniff!
GARLIC SCENT
Cassia flowers, that possess the scent of violets, make the breath of one who inhales it, smell of garlic. The scientist, Sawyer, thinks there must be some connecting link between these two scents. Yet another flower joins in – the Lily of Buenos Ares flower has an exquisite scent of violets until it is crushed and then it too, smells of garlic!
POISONOUS PERFUMES
Not all perfumes are pleasant or have a positive influence upon us. Catherine de Medici, with the help of her infamous perfumier Rene, concocted special lethal perfumes which were used as poisons to kill the unwanted, and the unwary!
PERFUME OF SAINTS
Accounts are not uncommon of extraordinary and beautiful perfumes around the bodies of saints and this is often referred to as ‘the odour of sanctity’.
CREATION OF PERFUMES
The Indian adept Vishuddandha, is reported through reliable witnesses as having an extraordinary ability to utilize the sun’s rays to materialize any perfume an onlooker would request. He used only a simple magnifying glass and the handkerchief of the onlooker. After concentrating for a few minutes he would return the handkerchief to its owner, and it would be filled with the requested perfume! He became known as ‘the perfumed saint”.
CREATION OF COMMERCIAL PERFUMES
These are created by skilled perfumers who are not only extremely sensitive but who are able to construct chemicals in such a way as to complement natural perfumes in creation of the huge and enjoyable range of modern perfumery.
PERSONAL PERFUMES ENJOYED BY OTHERS
Perhaps one of the strangest and regrettable aspects of the sense of smell is when scents are used as a personal perfume. Soon after we apply a cologne, our olfactory sense becomes dulled or ‘tired’ through familiarity and after a very short few minutes we are usually no longer aware of it. Others however, may be acutely aware, sometimes to their disadvantage, but hopefully to their pleasure, through receiving intermittent wafts of delight !
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Our Scented Environment
Monday, October 26th, 2009
What can we do to contribute some beneficial influence to our environment?
We are very aware of the damage caused in our environment by toxic substances and the release of chemical fumes resulting from the wastes of industry. We may be able to identify certain poisonous chemicals but we will never be able to monitor the full extent of their damage when released into the air we breathe and into the water upon which all earth life depends.
Although we cannot foresee an immediate ban on the release of toxic chemicals into the air, all we can do is to try to avoid inhaling them and to find a way to counter their negative influence. Scientists predict the harmful ramifications will continue to affect our atmosphere for centuries into the future.
As it is not likely that we will witness legislation that bans the manufacture of these chemicals, we are likely to observe the problems continue.
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. The traffic problem is being tackled although it is proving difficult as long as we adhere to current engineering systems and present source of fuel.
When disasters occur and fires destroy buildings and commercial factories releasing enormous clouds of toxic chemicals, they wreak their havoc. 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.
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 the scientists who should be impartial in their tests and should be alerting us to dangers rather than protecting the current vested interests by preserving the status quo.
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.
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. 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.
But we now must recognize that any attempt to neutralise the effects of toxic chemical use in industry by sacrificing precious natural oils would fail miserably.
However, we are free to continue the use of aromatics in our own homes, and here we must enjoy them to the maximum.
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Through Inhalation we Enjoy Perfume
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
It is only by the association of breath and in the olfactory process that we are able to enjoy perfume.
It is easy to confirm that we are dependent upon the air we inhale for olfaction to function, just as our sense of taste can be experienced best when we exhale. Try to capture a perfume when you are exhaling – and to taste a pleasant food when you are inhaling!
It is to our advantage to cultivate a fine olfactory sense or sense of smell. It is a basic tool of enjoyment and also is used to discern the quality of things. On the practical level it is useful to check the quality and freshness of our food or alert us to smoke or fire.
To activate our sense of smell we must inhale air through our nose before it enters our lungs. If we are a mouth breather by habit, we are bypassing this first important stage when the air, along with any perceptible perfume or scent is immediately analysed by our brain and the messages conveyed through our nervous system . If there is need for immediate body response the muscles must be prepared for action.
But there are equally important considerations if we wish not only to enjoy the sensory pleasures that perfumes offer us but to nourish our brains by ensuring that the energy of the essential oils or natural perfume allows the brain to be first beneficiary. Perfumes are a subtle brain food and the brain relies upon adequate inhalation to provide nourishment and to stimulate its many capacities.
The negative effects of obnoxious chemical fumes and pollutants is accepted and well documented to show carcinogenic potential and to cause other illnesses.
The science that has proven the positives affect of various fragrances and essential oils upon our moods, thoughts and physiological states is known as Osmics.
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