We are wired to respond to smells both good and bad. Everyone has blocked their nose and run from the worst odors a dirty diaper or inhaled deeply to enjoy the best a warm apple pie. Essential oils aromatherapy is a way to tailor your olfactory environment for health and enjoyment.
Good Smell Bad Smells What is the Difference
As kids we smell but don’t judge, because many smells are culturally attuned. Remember your parents saying things like – “no icky”. We make a connection in the brain that a specific smell is pleasant, icky or foul.
Interpreting and responding to our sense of smell is fast and powerful. It happens in the limbic system of the brain where the odors are connected to our memory, feelings, and experiences. The sensors in the nose record and the brain differentiates between up to a trillion natural smells and chemically manufactured smells to inform our choices and actions. This takes a lot of brain power.
Odor Saturation
Odor saturation is one of the tools the brain uses to manage resources around smell. Here is an example of odor saturation that I experienced. Part of my responsibility as director of quality and engineering was to visit and set up audit processes for our major vendors. One of these visits was a plant that made air fresheners. I will never forget the feeling of walking into that plant.
The combination of synthetic fragrances was overwhelming and so stifling. I could taste and feel the smells. My breath went shallow and quick then I tried to breathe through my mouth. I could hardly think or function. My body just knew that all these volatile synthetic chemicals were not good for me.
At about 25 minutes into the tour of this manufacturing plant, I finally started to relax. The smell wasn’t effecting me so much. I knew I was in odor saturation. I was so relieved that my brain had finally turned down the volume on the smell.
Smells Linger Long After You Stop Noticing
When I got home that night, my husband said take that smell outside now. So I stripped down on the back porch and left my clothes to air out. I went right into the shower to wash off the stink of the day, that I couldn’t even smell anymore.
Odor saturation is a normal part of our olefactory system that helps us manage the brain power necessary to process smells. We naturally stop paying attention to familiar smells after a time, and will notice anything new or different. Because of our ability to stop smelling tailoring a healthy smell environment is important.
Essential Oils Aromatherapy In Ayurveda
Smell is one of the 5 senses in Ayurveda. Consistent misuse overuse or underuse of your senses can put you on a path to disease. In terms of smell this means too much synthetic chemicals, over exposure to odors, like my day in the factory and lack of fresh air and the smells of nature.
Wise use of senses can help restore balance. The right use of essential oils balance dosha, and can be really helpful for health and well being. Often these oils are blended as well as used individually.
Essential Oils Help Restore balance to the Dosha.
“Healing Your Life, Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda,” by Dr. Marc Halpern, Founder of the California College of Ayurveda
“Aromas, being a part of nature, are made up of the five elements and can be understood in terms of the ten pairs of opposite qualities. Knowing your own qualities and the qualities of the aromas allow you to create a supportive environment.”
The Energetics Of Essential Oils
One of my friends Debra Jodrin who works with essential oils talks about the chemical nature of the action as well as the energetic frequency. She describes the oils has having intelligent action, by going in the body where their frequency can help. If our body is a symphony of frequency, the oils feel the discordant note that they can balance.
This fits with my understanding of how fragrance works in nature. Spend time in nature, the fragrance and energy of the trees and plants will help you feel good. Ayurveda suggest being in nature regularly to support health.
Suggestions For Using Essential Oils
- A little essential oil goes a long way. Start slow add a drop to a carrier oil and use on your feet before bed.
- Not everyone wants to smell my oil. I always let people know before I add essential oil fragrance to the air.
- Use the best organic therapeutic grade oils I can afford. Only buy oils from someone you know and trust.
- Use essential oils to heal and feel good rather than cover other odors.
- Take a class to learn the benefits and uses of essential oil.
- Never get essential oils in your eyes.
Ayurselfcare’s purpose is to educate on the benefits of Ayurveda. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for learning purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.
