THE FRAGRANCE OF LIFE

In July of 1973, singer/songwriter John Denver wrote Annie's Song (dedicated to his wife) during a ten-and-a-half minute ski lift ride to the top of Aspen Mountain. The following stanza from this iconic ballad is the inspirational guide for our journey through the senses:

You fill up my senses

Like a night in a forest

Like the mountains in springtime

Like a walk in the rain

Like a storm in the desert

Like a sleepy blue ocean

You fill up my senses

Come fill me again

Our journey this week continues with an exploration of the sense of smell. One of the five primary senses, olfaction (smell), is a pleasurable and protective mechanism necessary for survival. As we breathe in various odors, the brain recalls a previous exposure from long-term memory, allowing us to recognize this as desirable or hazardous to our health.

For example, it is common practice for many home sellers to bake pastries in the oven before a showing. When a prospective buyer enters, the lingering odor may trigger fond memories of their childhood, making purchasing this home more attractive. Natural gas can demonstrate the protective function of olfaction. Natural gas is colorless and odorless when it stands alone, making it hazardous to our health. However, another gas, mercaptan, is added, giving the recognizable smell, and sending signals to the brain, heightening our situational awareness. We act to either turn off a partially open knob on the stove or exit an area towards safety.

Image Source: Kelly Sikkema (Unsplash)

A caveat to these examples is olfactory fatigue - the longer we remain in an environment, the recognition factor decreases as we become used to an odor. Now that we have a basic understanding of olfaction, let's discuss one way we can find balance through this sense - aromatherapy.

The American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) defines aromatherapy as: "The use of aromas for their healing properties . . . It is the controlled use of essential oils (EO) to promote the health and vitality of the body, mind, and spirit by inhalation, baths, compresses, and topical," together with deep breathing to enhance the relaxation response (ACHS, 2011).

When selecting an essential oil, it is imperative to choose said oil by its Latin name as several species of lavender contain different types of active constituents (ingredients) that can have an opposite desired effect than initially intended by the user. You can compare the components of an essential to the active ingredients of a prescribed medication, both of which will cause a change in the human body's chemistry to correct dysfunction (as in the case of prescribed drugs) or support the body's systems (as in the case of essential oils). Therefore, consult your licensed primary care provider before using any essential oils if you have a pre-existing medical condition. The following examples illustrate the importance of selecting an oil based on the Latin name.

True lavender lavandula angustifolia, or lavandula officinalis, is entirely free of camphor and contains active constituents used medicinally as an analgesic (pain relief), antidepressant, or sedative (ACHS, 2012). By no means is this an exhaustive list of this oil's properties, and I refer you to a website called Aroma Web, where you will find the everyday use, general safety information, contraindications (reasons to avoid the use of a particular oil), and profile for a variety of EO's listed on the website. Use the search box as a starting point.

In contrast, Spike Lavender lavandula latifolia contains large amounts of camphor, creating a pungent odor. Spike Lavender is an ingredient in scented soaps (ACHS, 2012). For stress management, you want to make true lavender the essential oil of choice. Learning the Latin names will assist you in making the best selection for the desired outcome.

Image Source: Antony BEC (Unsplash)

Defining synthetic versus therapeutic grades when selecting your essential oils is vital. The best sources of therapeutic grade (what we want) oils come from wildcrafted botanicals. The plant material is harvested from a natural habitat, undergoes distillation, and the extracted oils are used for commercial and personal use (ACHS, 2012). Harvesting takes place when the active constituents contain the optimal therapeutic action. Conversely, synthetic oils are manufactured for ambiance versus medicinal/balancing qualities.

Here are a few simple ways to diffuse lavender around the home (ACHS, 2012):

· Place 2-3 drops on the filter pad of a vacuum cleaner

· 2-3 drops on the edge of a toilet paper roll

· 2-3 drops on cotton balls- place in a drawer, closet, and cupboards

· For a relaxing sleep, put the cotton balls in a pillowcase

· Place a few drops in either an electric diffuser or ultrasonic nebulizer and turn it on before beginning your deep breathing exercises. Take a deep breath in and out (say, haaaaaa).

· Practice deep breathing with and without the diffused lavender and note how your body, mind, and spirit react to these exercises. Repeat these suggestions using the synthetic version as well. Share your findings in the comments section with other readers of this blog. If essential oils are incompatible with you, substitute them with fresh-cut flowers, baking, scented candles, or a walk in nature.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. The FDA has not reviewed this article. Always consult your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before significantly changing your health and wellness routine.

I leave you with Annie's Song as a way for you to think about your relationship with your healing journey, a significant other, or the world at large. Please take time to stop and smell the fragrance of life. Until next time -

Namaste,

Tim

Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

References

"Annie's Song." Wikipedia. Retrieved February 20th, 2023.

American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2011). Introduction to Aromatherapy. In Aroma 101 (Module One) course e-textbook. Portland: American College of Healthcare Sciences.

American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2012). Best Practices for Quality. In Aroma 203 (Module Eight) course e-textbook. Portland: American College of Healthcare Sciences.

American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2012). Essential Oil of Lavender. In Aroma 203 (Module One) course e-textbook. Portland: American College of Healthcare Sciences.

American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2012). Wildcrafted Oils. In Aroma 203 (Module Eight) course e-textbook. Portland: American College of Healthcare Sciences.

American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2012). Essential Oils in the Home. In Aroma 203 (Module Four) course e-textbook. Portland: American College of Healthcare Sciences