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.

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One aspect of the function of olfaction is protective in warning us of danger. Another aspect is to increase our awareness of nature and developing our natural sensory enjoyment of beautiful scents and perfumes.

Different scents can unconsciously or consciously affect or trigger our moods. They can affect our deeper emotional memories and thoughts as we recall past experiences.

Perfumes, the natural perfumes of essential oils and natural substances, are found to have unique qualities of their own that makes them therapeutic and are used in the science of osmics for the express purpose of healing brain and body tissue. They are used to great advantage in the treatment of respiratory ailments.

Perfumes were used in ancient times in the ancient healing arts. Egyptian priests of long ago used inhalation of a perfumed oil as treatment for headaches, epilepsy and other diseases. Later, in the Middle Ages aromatics were used to ward off the plague and doctors considered it as a successful preventive measure. The use of smelling salts in recent centuries was later to become popular in Victorian times. Similarly many oils are used to relieve health problems and are regularly used by aromatherapists today for healing of brain and body.

Deliberate inhalation of perfumes and oils can be pleasurable and beneficial and some influence us in such a way as to elevate our mood or to calm our emotions. As the finest natural perfumes can help to make us feel good and to elevate our consciousness or calm our mood, so there are odours which are heavy, damaging to our cells, and depress our consciousness. We should avoid inhaling  petrol, traffic fumes, chemical fumes, and heavy or oppressive smells that can be decidedly detrimental, causing damage to our brain and nervous system. Glue “sniffing” is a conscious negative habit used by some young people who unfortunately suffer the consequences of brain damage.

It is necessary to discriminate in the choice of personal perfume and to learn more about the character of each essential oil if you wish to benefit by direct inhalation of their perfumes.

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Although natural oils offer a gentle and enjoyable subtle form of therapy that is dependent upon both physical application and inhalation of its fumes directly to the brain, it is the therapy that utilizes massage of oils into the skin that has captured the market.

Or current market is apt to function in a climate where demand for the pure essential oils has outstripped supply. However in many countries it is easy enough for individuals to purchase samples from a large range of oils offered for aromatherapy and home use. But the perfume houses are forced to promote assured supplies of the raw product in order to continue in producing their complex sophisticated  creations of fashionable scents that continue to fascinate women and increasingly, a male clientele.

Toiletries and body colognes are presented abundantly in the major stores, with a range that is somewhat bewildering to the newcomer who may be seeking a product that reflects a desired influence or for a perfume that enhances a quality of the personality.

Although many fashionable perfume products contain a degree of natural ingredients and essential oils they are strongly dependent upon chemical additives and fixatives and therefore unsuited for use in aromatherapy. For their healing powers and purposes, it is the pure and unadulterated essential oils that consumers and professionals are now demanding.

Not only for personal toiletry, scents are used in many products used in the domestically in kitchen, bathroom, and increasingly in bedroom and living quarters both to deter or overcome unattractive odours or to create a pleasing atmosphere or ambience. Many households regularly burn lavender oil at outside barbeques for instance to ward off mosquitoes and other insects.

The use of bath oils is steadily growing as people find the several benefits and above all, the pleasure in this indulgence designed to reduce stress.

Oils and other aromatic gums and substances are used widely in religious rituals and devotions as they have been from time immemorial and special church incense is produced to satisfy spiritual and ecclesiastical purposes.

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In spite of this, scent and perfume play a strong and lasting role in human life, both in personal use and in the environment, remaining a challenge to our desire to ‘have and to hold’ beautiful experiences.   

The modern perfume industry is demonstrating constant growth. We enjoy the freedom to choose from an ever widening range of scents to suit our personal preferences in our grooming and in our use of household products. High class perfumery continues to remain in high demand as affluence allows high expenditure by consumers in the perfume market. Although the market has been generally undercut by chemists able to analyse the ingredients used and replicate the famous brand products, the originals retain a selective market. 

Natural essential oils and essences remain in demand for the sophisticated commercial perfumes which utilize a high percentage of them but the general public has been made aware of the advantage  in being able to purchase the individual oils to blend and use according to their health needs as well as for their olfactory enjoyment.

Aromatherapy has expanded in popularity as a profession that offers a gentle form of non- invasive therapy that has the potential to result in benefit to body and brain. The psychological benefits are well known now with inhalations of lavender, for instance, providing relief from mental stress.

The choice of lavender as a personal perfume is used to soothe but also to harmonize with the individual’s gentle qualities, moods and personality as the stronger, woody oils such as pine, cedar and sandalwood are more masculine in their influence.

We cannot ignore the negative things that also register on this sensitive instrument of olfaction that we possess that alerts us to potential dangers of increasing toxic chemical fumes that are polluting our environment. These are larger issues that must be dealt with on national and international levels to help preserve the health of our planet.

But we do have the power to use beneficial aromatics on our person and in our homes.

Included in the many ways we employ essential oils are as natural deodorants and skin care, or in perfumed baths, massage oils, as direct inhalants,  in scented pillows and pot pourri or lit as incense.

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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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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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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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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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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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