Aromatherapy and essential oils: the non-toxic way to feel and smell good
Linda Buck and Richard Axel carried out a revolutionary study on the sense of smell; the scientifically proven results of which won them the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2004. In essence, their study proved that perfume can stimulate the conscious mind and stabilize and modify the emotional state.
It is thought that the Hungarians created the first ‘Perfume’ from a blend of plant oils and alcohol. But by the 19th century, synthetic versions of plant essences were discovered and, since the synthetics could be easily made in bulk, many of the ‘original’ versions using pure essential oils were gradually discontinued.
My love for perfume is triggered by the ingredients – which somehow find its way to my heart and mind. Whenever my ‘hotelier’ husband went overseas on business, it did not surprise him at all, to discover the perfume of my choice at the top of my ‘must buy’ shopping list. It’s no different when we both travel abroad.
Like most women, I love my perfumes, I love picking up which one to wear in the morning depending on my mood and the weather outside. But what I do not love is the price – where yesterday’s price of the perfume evaporates faster than the lasting of its fragrance. Whilst I won’t ever abandon my bottled perfumes I do regularly turn to other alternatives; essential oils and aromatherapy – both of which make me feel good, smell great and lifts my morale.
Aromatherapy, sometimes called essential oil therapy, is a holistic pure treatment of caring for the body, by using a botanical, aromatic essence derived from a plant, flower, petals, leaf, and tree parts like seed, bark root and fruit, infused with oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, etc. Very often, the fragrant essence of ‘ Lavender’ is used, amongst the other blends like eucalyptus, chamomile, pine, sandal wood, cedar wood, vanilla, peppermint, sage, lemon to name but a few. It takes a lot of plant product to make essential oils. For instance, more than 200 pounds of lavender flowers are used to make just one pound of lavender essential oil.
When visiting Spas, have you noticed the use of scented candles in the lounge and in the treatment rooms? Some spas use sprays and diffusers in their spaces. Whilst first impressions count when entering a spa – where what you see reinforces your decision to stay or escape, scented candles reach out to one of our other senses, smell. A pleasant smell triggers us to feel good and brings about that feeling of calmness.
We all know that ‘Aroma’ means scent and ‘therapy’ refers to treatment. Aromatherapy can be defined as a skilled and controlled use of essential oils soothing for emotional and physical health and wellbeing. Aromatherapy will never be out of fashion, it is not a fad, but an ancient well proven treatment that has a powerful and positive effect on mind, body and spirit. The essential oils used on the body improves health, prevents diseases and its curative value provides a physiological and physical effect.
Aromatherapy and essential oils are often considered as a woman’s field, thanks to the popularity of fragrant lotions and soaps which is far more attractive to women than men. However, men might be missing out on significant benefits from various essential oils that are manly enough to sustain their masculine lifestyle. So, you don’t have to always purchase expensive perfumes and colognes, when you can occasionally use essential oils, which are now available in the marketplace, and, are really the original, non-toxic products, that have been used for centuries to arouse our senses.
Mehroon Wahab.
The writer is a former media representative for ‘Spa Asia’ in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and it was during her tenure that the Singapore based magazine published a 14-page feature on the best spas in Sri Lanka. |
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