On the dining room buffet there was a
small bowl of citrus fruits that had cloves pressed into the rinds. On the dreariest of days their fragrance
uplifted the spirits and perhaps enlivened the dinner table conversation.
On the mantle in the living room, incense
was often burning. The fragrance of
Sandalwood lent an air of the exotic and seemed to well suit the tropical
plants on the window sill.
The bedroom closets always had wicker
sachets filled with lavender tucked in among the clothes. The linen closet had
fresh sprigs of lavender tucked between the blankets and sheets.
And the bathroom was always perfumed with
cashmere bouquet hand soap.
Each of the fragrances transports me back
to my childhood home. I can envision the
very room in which each fragrance was prevalent. I remember my parents when they were young. The family pets and even the plants are
brought to mind with clarity when I am reminded by fragrance. My youthful exuberance and optimism are
awakened simply by breathing in the draughts of yesteryear. The fragrances with memories intertwined,
evoke happiness.
The essence of aromatic plants derived by
steam distillation (occasionally cold pressed or enfleurage) can awaken fond
memories but perhaps not only our own memories, perhaps memories of the ages.
Of the five senses, the olfactory sense
is closest in proximity to the psyche. Down through the millennia, fragrance has
touched the human collective psyche.
Bards and poets have written about fragrance as mysterious, invisible
and intangible and yet profoundly touching the human soul.
Sir Thomas More let Rosemary run all over
his garden walls, not only because the bees liked it but also he said, “...because it is the herb sacred to
remembrance and friendship.”
In
today’s society, we are bombarded with fragrances from all directions. The fragrances, while seemingly pleasant are
not always derived by tried and true methods.
Many scents are chemical y extracted for greater yields. Many
of the materials in our homes may off gas in certain weather conditions. Winters can make home interiors dryer than an
arid desert. In modern homes there is
electro-magnetic dust—who knew? We use
chemical cleaners around the home.
Cosmetics are often chemically based.
We spend a great deal of time indoors where air does not move and is
often stale. In addition, most of us are
physically and mentally exhausted from our modern lifestyle demands. Aroma therapy can help significantly.
The sense of smell may be a first
indicator of the body being on the threshold of exhaustion. Migraine headaches are usually coupled with
symptoms of all the senses being overwhelmed.
Though seemingly contradictory, fragrant essential oils in a vaporizer
or diffuser and used sparingly can help to alleviate migraine headaches. Essential oils can be a first line of defense
in combating many of the ills that plague us in our fast paced and exhaustive
life styles.
The ancients knew of the curative powers
of fragrance. The Egyptians were masters
in the art of perfumery. The ancient Greeks
and the Romans incorporated fragrance into their medical and cosmetic practices
as well, but it was the great Persian physician Aviceena (980-1037) who is
credited with discovering steam distillation of aromatic plants, concentrating
their healing properties for medicinal
purposes. Essential oils were born.
Inhalation of essential oils can affect
the mood immediately. For example a
small bottle of the essential oil of bergamot kept in the pocket to be opened
and inhaled when feelings of depression arise can be immediately helpful. It should be noted that clinical depression
may well require medical intervention.
The olfactory sense is highly sensitive
and thus tires easily even by prolonged exposure to natural perfumes and thus
the old adage applies “everything in moderation”.
In the art of perfumery, perfumers always
work with dilutions in developing a new fragrance so as not to overwhelm and
tire the nose.
In order to appreciate and drink in the benefits
of aroma therapy it is advisable to greatly limit the use of chemical cleaners
in the house, to air the house once or twice daily, avoid strong smelling soaps
and hair care products, and to use very
lightly fragranced laundry soaps or alternatives if possible. Taking in the fresh air deeply on trips
between the house and the car is helpful but better yet taking short walks and
allowing fresh air to restore the lungs, sinuses and olfactory sense will
enable health giving fragrances, aroma therapy to work its medicinal magic.
Try a few drops of essential oil of
lavender in a carrier oil (such as Sweet Almond Oil) to make a soothing
moisturizer after the bath and experience the relaxation and quietude upon
retiring. Perhaps fond memories will
bring about sweet dreams.
