The Power of Scent

Aromatherapy is the use of organic essential oils, derived from aromatic plants, to catalyze well-being, beauty and creativity.

The power of scent begins when the chemical components of an odor created from volatile fragrant molecules, is transformed into nerve impulses.  This information is pulsed to the limbic olfactory brain via the olfactory bulb.  The limbic brain stores the scent as a memory.  This aroma memory is stored where the core of sexuality, attraction, repulsion, moods, motivation and creativity resides.  Here, the power of scent directly affects the neurotransmitters that increase energy and alertness, help us relax and motivate sense of well-being and will to live.  Only unfamiliar or offensive odors pass through the cerebral cortex first.  The limbic olfactory brain developed first when the sense of smell was paramount to survival.  The neurotransmitters that stimulate and inspire the cortical, thought producing brain, originated the limbic brain as aromas.

Everything organic and alive has a unique odor.  Every illness has a unique odor.  As individuals, each of us acquires a unique scent in the womb we carry throughout life.  This can be catalyzed and modified by affecting our moods and stress management.

Essential oils have been successfully used in healing for over 5,000 years.  Until recently, no one understood why. 

Applied to the skin, essential oils pass through connective and lymphatic tissues into the circulatory system, affecting detoxification and immunity.  The skin is the largest immune organ, detoxifying more environmental toxins and chemicals than the liver, while protecting against bacterial and viral invasion.  Essential oils help balance and protect the skin through hydration, softening and preserving the epithelial tissues.  Essential oils are more active and potent than any preservative used commercially.  Their anti-aging properties are most effectively used in cosmetic and skincare.

  Within 2 to 3 hours after smelling or applying essential oil dilutions on the body, the volatile oil compounds are excreted through the breath and urine.  Aromatherapy is unique.  Aromas coerce and train the body to respond positively to every challenge, utilizing all potentials.  Aromatherapy is safe when used correctly. 

Therapeutic aromatic plants produce essential oils, usually through steam distillation and subsequent separation.  The concentration of volatile and other properties in essential oils is 100 times greater than the original plants.  Essential oils contain 50 to 500 other natural chemicals than the predominant scent.  One drop of an essential oil contains millions of microscopic molecules.  It requires several pounds of plant leaves and/ or flowers, such as in Province Lavender, to produce a pure essential oil. 

In fact, the word essential oil is misleading.  These volatile oils, so sensitive to light heat, and air, only have an oily texture.  They are mostly hydrocarbons, made from hydrogen and carbons. Most essential oils are safe used topically in dilution.  They are not safe internally, even in dilution, and should never be ingested.  Essential oils are best stored in dark glass bottles, tightly sealed, away from heat and light.  Store them in a dark, cool closet.  Do not leave droppers with rubber bulb tops sealing essential oil containers.  The volatile oils lift, degrade and destroy the rubber.  Opened bottles are best used within a year. Refrigerate citrus essential oils after opening. 

 Knowledge is power.