Aromatherapy & Massage

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you lacked the ability to smell?

Sure, it would not seem as difficult as trying to navigate a room while blindfolded, or attempting to perform daily tasks without using your thumbs, but you would still be missing a lot. For one thing, your common sense of taste would go come out of the closet the window, too. For another, your brain is wired to interpret signals from your olfactory center to tell you what pleasures or hazards may be lurking in your surroundings.

In fact, you could say that much of what you know about the world, and how you relate to it, depends on your good sense of olfactory property. Olfaction is the only sense fully developed at birth in humans, and it plays an important role in an infant's ability to recognize and bond with his or her mother.

Even the "chemistry" felt between two adults is prompted by aroma. Scientists identified substances called pheromones in human consistency olfactory property that act as chemical messengers to the brain to stimulate, among other responses or behaviors, sexual attraction to a potential mate.

With at least 5 million odor-sensing cells lining the nasal bone passages, the nozzle seems to be well-equipped to observe smells on its own. Scientists speculate that, like other animals, human have a nasal sensory device known as a vomeronasal organ that helps them to find these subtle fragrance molecules. There's little doubt that certain odors give birth a direct impact on the way we think and feel. The odor of freshly baked bread, for example, May conjure up fond memories of home and hearth. Other scents, such as floral or spicy aromas, induce a romantic mood.

So recognized is this impression that many European and Asian facilities are investing in "indirect perfuming" to enhance productivity in the workplace and to promote recovery in hospitals.

Some of the nicest essential oils are, bergamot, rose, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, lilac, neroli, and sandalwood -- "mostly because they are non-irritating to skin and pleasing to lmost people." If you're just starting to use essential oils, try some of these...

Kirby recommends just about most of the more common oils such as , rosemary, peppermint, and ginger. Simply, choose whatever scents do the all but to relax and comfort, or energize, you. Just follow your olfactory organ.

The following manufacturers supply good quality aromatherapy grade oils that can be found in your local health food store: Earth Harmony; Aroma Vera; Tisserand; and Aura Cacia (to name a few).