Aromatherapys Mind-Smell Connection

Why is smell so strongly linked to memory and emotion?

It is not fully understood, but this is no surprise as the complexities of brain activity are still far from being unravelled and understood. The brain holds far more secrets than we have discovered. What is known is that the sense of smell is registered in a part of the brain which was already developed in our earliest ancestors.

The limbic area of the brain was well developed before man had the power of speech or was able to make tools. The limbic area is concerned with all those activities vital to survival in a sometimes hostile world: sleep, hunger, thirst, memory, sexual response and, or course, smell are all affected by the limbic system.

As modern man developed the 'higher' senses and the brain became larger to accommodate development of speech, intellect and creativity, the ancient knowledge became blunted or buried deep in the unconscious and the limbic area of the brain lost some of its importance. But that ancient knowledge is still there and needs only to be re-awakened.

Essential oils have the power to re-awaken and stimulate the limbic system and the aromas can be used to excellent effect by the aromatherapist.

They also have the power to balance the two hemispheres of the brain. It is known that the left hemisphere of the brain is concerned with logic and intellect, whilst the right is concerned with intuition.

When both hemispheres are in harmony and balanced, we experience feelings of calm and well-being. As we inhale the balancing essential oils, the two hemispheres of the brain come into closer symmetry, whilst the stimulating essential oils make us feel mentally alert and the sedating oils promote deeper feeling of relaxation. The relationship between the brain, the mind and the body is of vital importance in aromatherapy.

When we send pleasing, relaxing messages to the brain during aromatherapy massage, the hypothalamus receives impulses signalling safety and harmony and, in its turn, the body receives the signal that all is well and that the body and mind are in balance.

The effects of essential oils and massage on the various activities of the nervous system form a major part of aromatherapy. We use analgesic oils to relieve pain by damping down the activity of the pain-transmitting nerve endings.

(For quality, targetted essential oil blends for health, please see AkobiAromas.com)

Dee is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Reflexologist, and Reiki Master. Her site is AkobiAromas.com - a source of quality aromatherapy, herbal and reflexology information and products.

---

Six Smoothie Recipes for Constipation and Acne Relief

I recommend drinking a morning smoothie if you have constipation... Read More

Health Benefits of Noni Juice

Noni Juice, Morinda CitrifoliaMorinda Citrifolia , a deciduos creeping vine... Read More

Reiki-Seichem

Seichem - The Elemental Healing RaysSince the emergence of Reiki... Read More

How to Benefit from The Mind-Body Connection

Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was... Read More

The Aromatherapy Home Medicine Chest ? Part I: The Essential Oils

Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More

Thyme: Elegance Drifting Through the Ages of Time

Thyme is a herb that has been cultivated for centuries... Read More

Junk Food Is Not Easier To Eat

There is something to be said about fast food being... Read More

The Benefits of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most common form of relaxation massage... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Cleaners And Our Health

Many people use strong cleaners or acid cleaners to make... Read More

How to Stop Hair Pulling With Hypnosis

Stress caused by the day-to-day issues of home life and... Read More

The Truth About Smokers Pleasure Paradox

Smokers love excuses. Nothing makes them happier than, 'I can't... Read More

Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Hypnotism, and the Truth about the Funky Chicken!

Over two hundred years after this momentous event the world... Read More

Health Benefits of Hemp Oil

Hemp oil has long been recognised as one of the... Read More

An ADD Case Study: What Does it Mean to Fail?

Josh is a client of mine who is a junior... Read More

The Flu Hysteria and Your Family

(originally in Nov. 2004 ZoneNet Newsletter)In this flu season, America... Read More

Health Improvements for Your Family

Your husband always seems tired. Your son is always hungry.... Read More

Medieval Remedies That Still Work Today

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?In a previous article we... Read More

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine used for over... Read More

Constipation and Toxicity

Having regular constipation can lead to some serious illnesses. Fecal... Read More

Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy? Used for centuries, aromatherapy is known to... Read More

Alternative Approaches to Pain Relief

Pain. The great leveler. The rich feel it. So do... Read More

An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer

I want to share a health alert with you. So... Read More

The Facts About Glutathione and Parkinsons Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD), a devastating illness, occurs in one of... Read More

Frankincense in Aromatherapy - Trees, Pearls, and Essential Oil

The Mysterious FrankincenseUsed for many thousands of years, the Frankincense... Read More

Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple

Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use... Read More

How to Get Rid of Smoking, Drinking, Drugs and Other Bad Habits

These are practices that I do whenever I am trying... Read More

Genital Herpes - Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies

Modern medical science has not been able to produce a... Read More

The Safety of Natural Therapies

Just because something is labeled or deemed "natural' does not... Read More

Snoring: A Common Sleep Disorder

Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the... Read More

Eat Fiber and Avoid Constipation

To have regular bowel movements and escape constipation you need... Read More

How to Protect Your Family Against the Coming Pandemic

Most dictionaries define pandemic as "an epidemic that is geographically... Read More

5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn

Each of us most likely has at least one memory... Read More