CAUTION – Inhale only Natural Perfume
There are thousands of chemicals involved in the manufacture of the thousands of commercial scented products available to consumers. Natural ingredients are usually confined to the more sophisticated and demanding perfume industry. A single perfume bought over the counter can contain many hundreds of different chemicals. It may well have an essential oil component used as a base or as a fixative, but the final formula will constitute artificial or petroleum based chemicals. The lighter skin perfumes and colognes will be comprised of a small amount of oil and up to 80% or more ethanol with a drop of colouring matter.
These artificially created aromatics should be tested before release in order to measure their safety or determine if there exists a potential carcinogenic factor or that it can cause harm to the brain and nervous system.
It is the artificial chemicals that we are concerned about. Some of them when inhaled have a directly damaging affect on the brain. Others spark off allergies and asthma attacks. Some chemicals used in perfume are known carcinogens. Others are capable of causing birth defects.
This is the responsibility of the FDA in America and of the Health Departments in other countries. It would be no surprise to learn that to prove a substance safe requires a long period of time and keen assessment. A clearly harmful substance could possibly show quickly by tests conducted on animals. These tests are often conducted by the chemical companies that manufacture the products. But there is little likelihood that any agency could guarantee positive benefits and outcomes. However, as consumers we must trust the government health agencies and hope that their decisions will protect us.
However, alongside this hope, we cannot but entertain a through of the demonstrations we have had of their failures in protecting public health. We recall the ever present power of the tobacco industry, the potentially dangerous drugs freely allowed display on supermarket shelves, the continuing pressure to chlorinate and fluoridate our drinking water, the plastics and carcinogenic properties ….. all these practices continuing in spite of public opposition.
So we must learn to protect ourselves from the known hazards and trust that our health authorities will in time assert their power, privilege and responsibility to overpower the pressures of industry.
Although there are exceptions and some milder products and scents are not harmful, it is only by direct inhalation of essential oils of quality that we can expect to benefit.
The beautiful natural life blood of the trees, flowers, leaves is concentrated in these oils created in Nature’s wondrous laboratory.
GENERAL HINTS
Breathing Hints
Check both nostrils are free of mucus before deliberate inhalation of precious essential oils.
Although it is natural that one nostril is more open than the other every couple of hours, there are times when both nostrils are open and these times are best for providing full benefit to both brain hemispheres.
Sometimes splashing the nose with cold water will be helpful.
Meditation with Oils
If you have time to give to meditation – say half an hour, and wish to optimize the use of perfumed essential oils such as frankincense or sandalwood for instance, it is a good idea to use a drop or two and rub between the hands. The warmth will release beautiful wafts of the scent throughout your meditation.
Concentration
If you wish to improve your mental skills and your powers of concentration, regularly inhale appropriate oils or sprigs of plants such as rosemary, bay, pine, cypress or sage.
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Cleansing unwanted thoughts
If you find that poor concentration is due to restless and undesirable thoughts that you would like to banish, then try using the wonderful cleansing powers of lemon, spearmint or ginger before focussing upon your desired thoughts and mood.
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OILS IN YOUR HEALTH CABINET
Essential Oils take a pride of place in your naturopathic health cabinet as they provide valuable concentrated remedies to complement your range of safe family healing substances.
Perhaps your choice includes food supplement tablets and capsules for internal general use or specific herbs for the complaints that relate to you or your family such as the unexpected needs in emergencies when we call upon the Bach and homoeopathic remedies. Care is always advised in the regular attention to your health cabinet as all internal medications draw attention to a use-by date that should be observed.
In the case of natural essential oils however, as few are advised for use internally, shelf life is unlimited. They are generally applied topically, externally massaged into affected areas or directly inhaled. It is possible to accumulate a permanent number of oils that offer a range of needs to suit your health needs.
Although it is naturally a very personal issue, there are a few generalities that will ensure you have on hand an appropriate remedy such as –
Aniseed Oil – is used with just a smear on the back of the tongue as a breath freshener or to relieve asthma. It is helpful digestive particularly helpful after a meal that includes garlic.
Bergamot Oil – in case of mental depression, emotional distress or fatigue this perfume can help life your spirits naturally and gently. Inhale about 10 gentle and deepening breaths of this pleasant natural scent. It is promising an extended potential for uses in healing the psyche.
Frankincense Oil – is one to keep on hand if you practise relaxation and meditation when it can be rubbed between the hands – just a drop will be sufficient to tune you in beautifully to your inner self, or focus of prayer
Ginger Oil – to take with you on travelling by car or plane if you suffer from travel sickness, nausea or morning sickness. Simple direct inhalation with the most practical being from a tissue will help to make a more comfortable journey.
Lavender Oil – for ladies is a feminine perfume usually appreciated for its gentle influence. It can be used as a bath oil, directly inhaled to relieve stress, or to assist a peaceful sleep. Some choose to also use a sprig of fresh lavender under the pillow or fresh rosemary if a child suffers bad dreams.
Lemon Oil – for preventing infection through oral or close contact with those with flu symptoms. This is one of Nature’s potent oils. It is usual in this case for only a smear of the oil to be placed on the back of the tongue. If there is likelihood of lung problems, the oil should be directly inhaled ( for about 10 deep inhalations) from a tissue or steam inhaler. This oil is extremely powerful, fresh and cleansing in its quality. Do not use this oil internally for children, but is quite safe when used as an inhalant. Care must be taken when using this oil as contact can cause damage to plastics, polished timber and other materials.
Pine Oil – is one of the most popular bath oils for both men and women but many choose to use it as a direct underarm deodorant, after a skin check in case of any irritation or possible allergy. It has a delightfully warm and yet fresh scent that is appealing to all. Advised as an inhalant for those with nasal polyps of suffer from snoring.
Rosemary Oil – is for hair and scalp when a drop or two are added to rinsing water following shampoo and conditioning. It can be massaged directly into the scalp having diluted a few drops with a gentle carrier oil such as almond oil. Also can be used with care through applying a drop to your hairbrush for a refreshing scent as a regular use to encourage stronger hair growth. The qualities of rosemary are associated with brain function and concentration so can be used to advantage by students.
Peppermint Oil – is helpful to have on hand should you have need of spinal massage to ease pain or any muscle strain. The pure oil is diluted with a little carrier oil as it is extremely strong. After applying it through massage take great CARE to wash the hands very well to avoid the fumes affecting your eyes. Children who suffer from bronchitis or asthma respond almost immediately to treatment with massage on chest and back before bedtime.
Neroli Oil – Oil of Orange Blossom – is a happy, celebratory influence to use as a female personal body perfume at appropriate social occasions when a male may choose sandalwood or cypress.
Sandalwood Oil – is a rare and expensive substance that is often adulterated so a caution is used here. It is well worth seeking for the finest product, either in obtaining Australian sandalwood or in high quality Asian source. Unless you are sure, it is best to avoid internal use of it as a remedy for cystitis, retention of urine, and some prostate and bladder conditions. A drop on a teaspoon of sugar is the dose and it should only be taken as needed or at most, once a day.
Tea Tree Oil – This oil has a wide range of uses. It is a most dramatic remedy for ‘germ under the nail’ when applied directly and regularly for a few applications with results far better than other patent remedies. A drop can be used in warm water for oral wash and rinsing the mouth particularly if suffering any soreness or inflammation. It is anti-fungal and used upon stubborn skin problems such as ringworm or sores. It is a popular choice for use in foot baths.
There are many, many more oils that have been used and the range is increasing as more becomes known of the value of aromatics in human health.
There are many similar natural substances that are being presented for easy application in the form of ointments and creams that can increase your natural healing aids always available by being on hand in your health cabinet at home.
REFRESHING AROMATICS – smelling salts
We know that ‘in the olden days’ women were respected as somewhat frail in temperament and it was wise to have on hand a bottle of ‘smelling salts’ to revive one who was inclined to faint. They are still in use today, but not for gentle sensitive ladies as much as to revive drunks, motivate boxers to get up and go again, and by some athletes. Times have changed.
The early smelling salts on the market were known as sal volatile and consisted of a mix of ammonium carbonate and perfume. They had a fair reputation as being effective but in spite of their continued, if limited use, doctors are increasingly urging caution.
The basic ingredient, ammonium carbonate, is a white crystalline salt and when mixed and bottled with water or perfume or perfume, causes fumes intended to be deliberately inhaled as a therapeutic agent. Sometimes the fumes can help to restore consciousness and sometimes they can cause allergies and irritation of the mucus membranes and can seriously harm humans if used over a period of time. Any discarded contents can also cause environmental damage to fish should the contents leak into waterways.
All in all, the consensus is that smelling salts can on occasion be helpful in some circumstances but because of the toxic effects of ammonia can cause problems if used frequently so we must take notice of the medical caution.
There is little to commend the use of smelling salts over the direct inhalation of natural essential oils as advised in aromatherapy but some claim to be successful in making their own mix using the ammonia and perfume in combination.
Toxic Fumes in the Environment
Many invisible fumes are present in our environment. Some are identified and can be avoided by our sensitive olfactory sense that tells us to refrain from inhaling an unpleasant smell. But others cannot be consciously avoided because not all subtle fumes can be registered on the average human sensory scale. If we are unaware, we are not in a position to protect ourselves.
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
Make up your own Scents
It’s fun being creative with perfume and is particularly successful if you have developed a fine sense of smell and can distinguish subtle differences and enjoy them.
Old and new recipes are available for your experimentation.
It is best to use pure essential oils and try some simple combinations at first when a few drops of a couple of your selections are blended in a neutral oil or alcohol base, depending how you wish to utilize the scent.
Some of the most readily available include vanilla extract, essential oils of lemongrass, lavender, frankincense, pine, rose geranium, cinnamon, bergamot and others.
These offer some interesting delights that can be blended to suit your own personality.
Start simply, and seek further information before you embark upon a serious trial.
DESCRIBING PERFUME IS DIFFICULT
There are problems relating to efforts to describe and exchange information about our senses, particularly in the subtler spheres of olfaction and our sense of taste.
To some extent we overcome our limited vocabulary and have found a reasonably good way to compare subtle taste comparisons and reactions to wine by using terms that still however, require considerable use of our imagination. Communication becomes limited and many of us reduce our efforts by resorting to statements about personal wine preferences only.
Regarding our sense of smell communication is even more difficult. Not only in distinguishing hundreds of different scents and qualities but in finding sufficient words by which to give them identity. Our efforts are at present restricted to relatively few adjectives such as sweet, acrid, musky, citric, heady, harsh, soft, fruity and so on.
Our English language, and possibly others also, have no words to adequately describe scent. Nor have we yet devised a system that allows sensory comparison within this unique sphere that is of vital importance to our well being as well as to our pleasure.
Our hyper-sensitive olfactory sense is in a unique situation. We are faced with an entirely new and extensive range of sophisticated and complex qualities and influences available through commercial perfume production but with no vocabulary that is capable of assessing and communicating our reactions.
Professional perfumers of course have met the challenge through a language of chemistry but as consumers we have had to rely upon our purely subjective reactions to the stimulus of aromatics and relied upon our own discrimination in choice of quality.
However this is changing with the developing science of osmics or osmology. In therapeutic science aromatherapists are sure of the employment of the limited natural range of essential oils and aromas in assisting physical and psychological conditions.
We will need a greatly extended means of classification of the literally thousands of artificially produced non-therapeutic scents that have flooded the cosmetic market. This becomes more important as analysis shows many chemicals in their use are actually injurious to our health.
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FRAGRANCES INFLUENCE US
Although the basic function of our sense of smell is to protect us and warn of any danger, the positive delight we take in perfumes adds an important sensory pleasure to life. It is so important in our lives that those whose olfactory sense is impaired lost a degree of enthusiasm about living, particularly as their taste tends to be affected also.
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.
BREATHING SWEET SCENTS
We all enjoy a range of perfumes, whether synthetic body perfumes or the natural scents that nature provides in the outdoors. It is instinctive to want to take a conscious deep breath when we sniff a beautiful aroma. This can be provided by a range of pleasant odours, from coffee and baked bread and other cooking smells, to the delicate floral scents in the garden, or the heavier fumes of burning incense.
To exude a sweet body odour is a natural feminine desire not only as an expression of personal nature but also as a male attractant in relationships. The sexual scales are well known in culture of the senses and body scent plays a large part in physical compatability. As the male scent is generally towards the strong, woody keynotes that increases women attraction to a man, so the softer, floral keynotes or feminine scent of a woman is naturally satisfying to the male.
The range of feminine perfumes has been explored to an extensive degree by the commercial perfume houses whose livelihood is particularly dependent upon the fascination that women have for the subtle pleasures of perfume. Female customers insist upon ‘new’ and exciting products as well as a personal perfume they rely upon to help them identify with the qualities characterized by the scent.
The sweet perfumes in essential oils, which provide the basis of all high quality perfumes, are easily recognized and include rose, lavender, orange blossom or neroli, jasmine and gardenia.
The sweet evening perfumes in the garden can be haunting. Although some of these have been captured through extraction of oils, others have to be synthetically created in an effort to please us, but indeed often fail.
There are hundreds of sweet scents released by flowers, plants, fruits and natural life. There are thousands of complex perfumes being created by the skills of perfumers.
But be sure that you are aware that only the natural scents are safe to consciously inhale. The manufactured perfumes contain chemicals, many of which are being now classified as toxic and must be avoided.
BREATHING STRONG SCENTS
As women like to offer sweetness in their choice of feminine perfume, so men who choose strong natural aromatics enhance their male attraction.
Although both sexes may happily enjoy the aromas of their opposite sex, each also has a need to gain confidence by using their own natural personal choice of scent for their own personality expression and satisfaction.
Some argue that they rather prefer natural body scent than any applied one but circumstances and state of health of an individual will cause us to enter into some debate before we can share this opinion. Certainly most everyone will agree that rather than using too strong an artificial scent, the natural scents of a healthy body are preferred. There is need to apply perfumes subtly if we are to best utilize the subtle art of perfumery.
The preference men have for using toiletries that hint of the strength of the cedars, the timbers and the warmth of captured sunlight in pines can readily increase an individual’s identity with these masculine energies.
The natural response of females to these aromatics is to wish to find comfort in the strength, leadership and protection that these properties represent.
