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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In modern life we are surrounded with scents and perfumes but not 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.

The general use of perfumes in commerce, once an exciting new innovation, has now become a threatening influence, not only through volume but through the complex chemicals used, many of which are positively toxic to our health.

In the case of chemicals used in food production, some injurious substances have been identified. Health authorities for years have sought to determine carcinogenic material in particular and to restrict artificial colouring agents in food. But regulations have been shown to be difficult to put into practice and to police. The appearance of new substitute chemical agents is constantly increasing beyond the ability of the health authorities to keep pace with scientific proof of their safety.

Research into chemicals that are inhaled rather than ingested is taking longer. It is even more difficult a task to control the chemicals used in the perfume industry. Only recently has it become mandatory to list 26 of the presently identified carcinogenic or toxic chemicals used in commerce.

For our self protection, the message remains clear……

Avoid artificially produced scents and concentrate on conscious inhalation of the beneficial perfumes created by nature.

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Beyond the inhaling of perfumes to involve the brain’s inner neurological centres of recall, it is possible that some perfumes when inhaled, touch the immortal or soul aspect of our nature beyond the brain and its recording of this present life experience, to give wings to flights of memory and our possible identification with other times, places, personalities and emotions.

Many people have had recall of previous lives through the influence of perfume whether by spontaneous response or by the purposeful employment of a scent. It is our natural reaction to a sensory stimulus with associated familiar or welcome association. A scent has the power to help us recall our earliest memories, encourage a comforting closeness with a lost love one or to take us ‘right back’ to a past happening in our lives.  

The experience of some hypnotherapists who work with regression of memory know that it also can provide a psychic stimulus to the subtlest memories that reside in the enduring soul of each of us, to trigger memories of previous lives. They will only encourage this if it is in the patient’s interests to do so.

To seek to turn the pages back in time has certain disadvantages – whether it is to do with poring over the past of this life, or any other and that is because we are not taking advantage of the life opportunities that exist in the here and now.  ‘Be here now!’  and ‘Create your future!’ are healthy directives to help us lead a vital present life.

To recall our deepest soul memories can provide us with answers to perplexing matters and indicate causes in the functioning of life justice, or karma, but these will usually surface naturally as we progress in our meditations and allow our inner wisdom to communicate through intuition. 

Until we require additional insight through intervention of the greater wisdom of our spiritual guru, it is best to avoid undue curiosity and just enjoy the art of living that embraces all beautiful natural perfumes.

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The tiny flowers of this wonderful plant when sniffed in the warmth of the day, or when they exude what can only be called an intoxicating and intriguing scent.  Some are known to have an aversion to its strong , sweet perfume and yet others, as myself would happily swoon with pleasure if I could only inhale greater quantities of it!  Such is our individual reaction to aromatics.

Landscape gardeners are usually aware of the likelihood that some will not appreciate a port wine magnolia shrub in close proximity and adapt the placement of these exotics to suit the owners or the environment.  The shrubs would be enjoyed near schools or in parks that young people frequent as their sensitivity is keen.  We may think that older people would not be able to indulge in the same way but sometimes a hint or memory can compensate to echo past delights experienced by a port wine magnolia lover.

The essential oil from the flower is rarely known and expensive as all the exquisite florals and we will welcome its future availability.

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Although we allow for individual taste and that some people even recoil from a strong perfume that others admire,  it is usual to find that, according to its strength, or whether it is as a gentle essence, the following flowers offer a treasure house for those who wish to become more familiar with perfumes in nature that offer universal appeal. Many of them have been well known and used by the great perfume houses in their creations of sophisticated blends that are released on the market for both men and women to enjoy.

Depending upon our climate and circumstances many of us will be restricted in their cultivation in our own home garden but may be able to sample them in florists or when travelling to foreign countries.

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Boronia megastigma is a native wildflower of Western Australia

 Cananga odorata (see Ylang-Ylang) best known in Burma, China,  S.E.Asia

Champaka – Michelia champak from China found in Tibet and SE Asia

   Daphne – Daphne odora  is highly cultivated in   Europe but originates in China

Gardenia – Gardenia jasminoides  from India and Asia

 Hyacinth – Hyacinthus orientalis  originated in Syria and the Middle East

Jasmine – Jasminum officinale,  J. polyanthamum , J. sambac from China and India

Lilac – Syringa sp. Is a European delight originating in Iran and northern Asia

 Magnolias- Magnolia sp.  All are from the northern hemisphere –Asia and the USA

 Mock Orange Blossom – Philadelphus coronaries from the northern hemisphere

 Murraya,- Cosmetic Plant  – Murraya paniculata, M. Exotica from Malaysia

Narcissus – Narcissus poeticus, N. Jonquilla one of common bulbs in Britain and Europe

Port Wine Magnolia – Michelia figo originates in China

Rose – Rosa centifolia, a native from Eastern Europe

Sweet Olive – Osmanthus fragrans originates in China

Tuber rose – Polianthes tuberose from Mexico

Viburnum – Viburnum carlesii, V.fragrans from Korea and China

Ylang Ylang – Cananga odorata var. Genuine (syn Unona odorantissimum) Indonesia

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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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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.

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However, as individuals we have developed each sense to serve us with differing degrees of development.  It is common that many of us would claim the sense of taste, for instance as more important to us than the sense of olfaction and many of us certainly tend to exercise it more than our sense of smell!

Human sense of smell is generally limited compared with the extremely acute sense in animals. Although it plays an important role in our lives in helping us discriminate in judging quality of things, we are not faced with self preservation or hunting for food as the animal but rather have developed our olfaction as a tool for our sensory enjoyment.

Yet our perception of perfume varies enormously. Some people have a fine perception of a wide range of perfumes from unpleasant to exquisite and others are limited, not only in registering a range of scents but in their ability to enjoy them. The most masterly development of the sense of olfaction is known in the perfume industry where specialist perfumers are known to be capable of distinguishing up to 700-2000 different perfumes – compared with an “average” range of about 200.

 Our first interest is usually to extend our perception and this offers a fascinating exercise in becoming familiar with, and learning to identify the perfumes of essential oils.

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