FYI Healthwise -- Perfumes and Oils

Aromata (Scent therapy) Greek
Perfumum (Through smoke) Latin

Early man relied heavily on scents. For survival as well as pleasure. Some of their first experiences with the healing porperties of scent came through the burning of plants (Incense). Man's journey with scents has many amazing discoveries. With so many of us concerned about health issues. I thought I'd deal with the medicinal properties of essential oils. Essential oils are often overlooked in our quick fix society. Early centuries understood scent worked, at first they didn't understand why. Research started early in the monasteries and then in the alchemists of the courts. Inside our noses are cilia, the cilia are able to identify molecules by their shape. They are coded by a rather large family of genes to sense particular components of smell that produce characteristic fingerprint patterns of activity in the brain. The olfactory mucus membranes take these signals to olfactory bulbs. An electrical impulse then goes directly to the limbic system known as the old brain. It completely bypasses the areas that control the central nervous system and reasoning. The "old brain" is directly connected to the hypothalamus, autonomic nervous system, and the pituitary glands, and therefore to our immune system and hormones. To list a few areas affected, our fight or flight reactions, heartbeat, body temperature, appetite, memory, sexual arousal, digestion, lust, creativity, attraction/repulsion, etc. (On a side note, they are working on treating memory disorders such as Alzheimer's, as well as depression, migraines, fatigue, anxiety, food cravings, schizophrenia with scent with a notable measure of success)

The legend of Rose Oil

During the 1600's, a Persian princess, Nour-Djihan, was planning her wedding. For the wedding procession, the eccentric Princess planned on being rowed in a canal strewn with rose petals. The hot day had caused the oil from the roses to float on the water's surface. As Nour swept her hand through the water, the scent was intoxicating. But as her hand emerged, it was covered with perfumed droplets. She was so enticed, she convinced her father to have his alchemists learn how to extract the oils, thus began the manufacture of the essential oil of rose.

Essential oils and their properties:

Terpenes or Sesquiterpenes:
1. antiseptic / anti-inflammatory
2. found in citruses, flowers, seeds, woods, leaves and roots
3. cardamom,carrot seed, cypress, ginger, grapefruit, sandalwood, spikenard, patchouli

Phenols:
1. antibacterial / stimulating
2. caution: can be irritating to skin
3. clove, oregano, savory, some thymes

Aldehydes:
1. antiseptic / anti-inflammatory / sedating / calming
2. perfume aromatics
3. cumin, lemon, cinnamon

Alcohols:
1. antiviral / antibacterial / toning / energizing
2. uplifting, pleasant fragrances
3. geranium, tea tree, petitgrain, rose, rosewood

Ketones:
1. breaks down, dissolves mucus and fats, promotes healing of wounds
2. some toxic factors
3. hyssop, pennyroyal, sage, jasmine, fennel, peppermint

Acids:
1. antiseptic / anti-inflammatory / moisturizing
2. combines with alcohols to create esters
3. birch, rosewood, niaouli

Esters:
1. antifungal / antispasmodic / balancing / relaxing
2. fruity aromas
3. lavender, marjoram, Roman Chamomile, clary sage, bergamot, neroli, ylang ylang

Coumarins:
1. photosensitizing / uplifting / calming
2. caution: blood thinning / some toxic properties
3. bergamot, angelica, citruses

Oxides:
1. expectorant
2. hyssop, bay, eucalyptus

With this beginning knowledge, I hope to impart on you how beneficial aromatherapy can be. And how it is uniquely designed to compliment one's individual needs. Enjoy in good health.
-- Rebekah