|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternative Medicine and Holistic Health |
|
|
|
The Sense of Smell
Disturbed vibrations occur in the body as a precursor of illness. Vibrational healing restores the body's healthy vibrations. Essential oils can be used to balance the subtle energy flows in the body. We are surrounded by vibrations at all times. Our ears are tuned to receive sound vibrations, our eyes focus on vibrations of light which allow us to see colour, and our noses detect vibrations of aromatic molecules which allow us to become aware of scents. The most important ingredient in the Aromatherapy treatment is the essential oil. Aromatherapists and perfumeries use musical language to describe scents. We talk of essential oils being a top, middle, and base note. About a century ago, a perfumery named Piesse arranged scents on a stave, or musical scale, and this went some way to describing the vibration of scents. Aromas were also described by colour. Scents can be described as 'green' or 'blue' or perhaps 'vivid red', and we mix scents as we would, colour on an artist's palette. Historically, the sense of smell has always been important to man and to his survival. A newborn baby recognises his mother mainly by scent until his eyesight improves and he learns to focus. To early man, his sense of smell was every bit as important as what it is to animals. Humans and animals alike emit pheromones (from the Greek 'pherein' to carry and 'hormon' to excite) which attract, repel, identify or mark territory. Human pheromones are chemicals manufactured by the apocrine glands and radiated into the air around us. The scent of these are detected by the people in our immediate vicinity and play a large part in sexual attraction. Although we are all radiate pheromones and react to other people's pheromones, this function takes place on a subconscious level. As the pheromones we produce are affected by fluctuations in other hormone levels, they can indicate our emotional state. For instance, the surge of adrenalin produced in times of anxiety can produce a smell of fear. Animals are highly receptive to scents and can easily detect emotion in humans. Apocrine glands are also located on the soles of the feet and pheromone molecules can remain on the ground for up to two weeks. Primitive tribes have, until comparatively recently, detected the proximity of other people by sniffing the ground. It is only the process of 'civilisation' that has blunted our sense of smell and with it our innate knowledge that scents produce profound responses within us. Although early man used his sense of smell for survival and reproduction in much the same way as other animals, our present culture pays little attention to the sense of smell in its natural, emotional, feeling sense. We mainly use the sense of smell in a cosmetic way. Spraying and powdering ourselves to remove or mask our natural scents. We have for so long subdued our senses by the constraints of reason and the rational mind, that we have lost touch with our spiritual nature. We no longer give freedom to the inner, unseen realms of the mind and the subtle communications of the psyche. The importance of the effects of scents on the human psyche has been gradually eroded. At one time, incense was burned on temple altars on a daily basis (it is still used today as an important part of some religious services); fragrant herbs and flowers were strewn on the floor of a dwelling. Odours were often associated with illness and disease. An evil smell was so much a part of the plague that it was believed to be one of the earliest symptoms. It had an odour that was foul and distinctive. The breath of plague victims was described by physicians of the time as that of 'rotten flesh' or 'corrupt cadavers'. Because breathing in the foul stench was thought to be one of the methods of contracting the disease, those who were still healthy carried nosegays and pomanders of highly perfumed flowers and spices. By holding these to the nose they believed that they were warding off infection carried in the venomous air. In the Middle Ages, and even later, pleasant smells were considered to be an important part of good health and immunity to disease. During the 1348 plague, French physicians prescribed breathing in cold aromatics like roses, sandalwood, renuphar, vinegar, rose-water, camphor and chilled apples for summertime protection. And in the winter, hot aromatics like aloe, amber, sweetgum and nutmeg. Another physician prescribed that "The heart must be eased by external bathing and internally with syrups and other medicines. All such preparations must contain some perfume and some aroma, like the fragrance of the lemon tree, syrup of apples and lemons and the acid of pomegranate". Another recommended that the house and the body should be kept clean; the rooms of the house should be ventilated, sprinkled with vinegar and filled with scented flowers and plants. It should be "perfumed with good smells. So let vine leaves, sweet rushes, willow and osier, small plants and leaves of the lemon tree and all other green things like flowers and sweet-smelling pommes be strewn throughout and placed in the corners and on the walls of the chambers". Unfortunately, the bodily cleanliness did not include the use of water. In fact, washing and bathing was considered a dangerous practice at times, as it opened the pores and allowed the odorous, plague-ridden air to enter the body more easily. The hands and face were cleansed with aromatic lotions and frequent changes of clothing, with abundant use of perfumes, were considered to be indispensable. Physicians recommended that their bodies be washed in tepid vinegar twice a day. There was also thought to be an odour of sanctity, saints and mystics were considered to emanate sweet odours of violets, roses, cinnamon and cloves. This sweet odour was noted even after death and remains of saints were alleged to have given off sweet floral odours many years after death. Pope Benedict XIV stated "That the human body may by nature not have an overtly unpleasant odour is possible, but that it should actually have a pleasing smell - that is beyond nature. If such an agreeable odour exists, whether there does or does not exist a natural cause capable of producing it, it must be owing to some higher course and thus deemed to be miraculous". Therefore the pleasant odour of the saint is seen as evidence of sanctity. Throughout the ages, scents and odours have had a deep and profound effect on the human psyche. Suskind says "For scent was a brother breath. Together with breath it entered human beings who could not defend themselves against it, not if they wanted to live. And scent entered into their very core, went directly to their hearts and decided for good and all between affection and contempt, disgust and lust, love and hate, the who ruled scent ruled the hearts of men." Dee is a Doctor of Reflexology, Homeopathic Practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist, and Reiki Master. Her site is AkobiAromas.com - a source of quality aromatherapy, herbal and reflexology information and products.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer's Patient, How Can I Get a Break? Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is a huge responsibility and very time consuming. It can bring a lot of stress, frustration and more. Too Clean-A Critical Look At The Alleged Link Between Asthma and Cleanliness Americans are ridiculed around the world for our attention to cleanliness. Recently some natural health experts have suggested that the growing problem of childhood asthma is directly related to our obsession with clean homes and a handful of studies seem to confirm their suspicions. Reiki REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application of Universal Life Force Energy, or CHI (the term used by Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying Universal force, otherwise, energy). Through Reiki, energy is thought to be effected by thought. Substance P - A Pain Amplifier You May Be Able To Restrict Using Your Subconscious Substance P is a key neurotransmitter required to produce moderate to intense pain. Here's a natural method you may be able to use to help neutralize this pain-transmitting chemical. The Macrobiotic Approach To Health And Wellness It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week, but on Sunday mornings this little room in Toronto's west end is transformed by the smells of steamed vegetables, seaweed and miso into Anna Rosenberg's Macro Mornings cooking class. Here Rosenberg provides her students with a basic introduction to macrobiotic cooking. Organic Living - Whats That? Hmmm ? what does organic living mean ? I like to think of it as taking time to BE instead of DO. The concept of being vs. Limitations You Should Know About When Using the Subconscious For Pain Relief As powerful as the subconscious can be in relieving pain, it has a number of limitations that you should be aware of before attempting to use it to ease your pain.The use of the subconscious to ease pain can be not only helpful but in some cases may be the only thing that seems to produce lasting relief. Kyolic Clears Constipation and Strengthens Your Colon Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all areas of your body and can help you eliminate constipation. Oral Chelation - What Can It Do For You? (Part 2) Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially. It involved the injection of EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) that is an effective and widely studied chelating agent. Hidden Benefits of Reflexology The holistic therapy of reflexology has been used over the years to promote physical health and wellbeing in many thousands of people from all walks of life, but there is also a subtler aspect to its benefits that can be applied to the more vulnerable amongst us, to expand awareness and enhance everyday living.When a client asked if she could bring her sister, who had learning disabilities, for a reflexology treatment with me, I was only too glad to concur. Application Methods For Aromatherapys Essential Oils BATH: Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a blend to 1/2 Cup Epsom Salts or baking soda - or 5 drops to 1 TBSP of Epsom Salts or baking soda. Pour it into a hot bath while it is filling. What Disorders Can Acupuncture Treat and How Does It Work? How did acupuncture start?The story was met with widespread disbelief.During a visit to China in 1978, cardiologist Doctor Isadore Rosenfeld witnessed open-heart surgery on a patient, anaesthetised only with acupuncture. Quiet Discoveries Lead to Fast Sinus Relief It's amazing what you can find when you start your search a little outside the bulls eye. While clicking through Magnetic Resonance Imaging research online, my colleagues and I found some intriguing scientific studies completely by accident!What did we find? Well, let's just say if you've got a stuffy nose you should try magnets before sniffling through that bottle of nasal spray!Did you know that every year, more than 35 million Americans suffer from sinusitis? It's one of the leading chronic diseases in the United States [1]. Water Therapy: Therapeutic and Esoteric Properties for Your Home Spa Smart Bathing Something New Interesting About Water Therapy."The more I find out, the more I find out I need to know"Water therapy, or hydrotherapy, or balneology is a powerful natural tool you can use at your home spa. Three Immune System Building Natural Remedies Here are three products that can help you elevate your immune system and lessen or prevent you from getting the flu. Use one or both of them to super charge your immune system. Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally - Cholesterol Through The Mouth If you have high cholesterol, you should educate yourself about the natural options that are available to you, to help lower your cholesterol, before diving head first into taking prescription medications?which are generally loaded with side effects, some of which can be dangerous and even fatal.There are various options available to you, to help lower your cholesterol naturally and reduce or eliminate your risk of heart disease. Why You Should Use Fruits for Constipation Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food. They contain the right balance of nutrients with distilled water. Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs - Simply Light Years Ahead! Sunlight is a vital nutrient, which regulates the activity of the hypothalamus gland that secretes seratonin, controlling our moods, biorythms, sleep patterns, body temperature, digestion and sex drive. In addition, the photochemical action of sunlight on our skin activates the production of vital Vitamin D essential for growth and maturation of cells, the maintenance of the bones and a healthy immune system. Feng Shui for Your Health and Vitality How many of us wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, happy and full of energy? How many of us, after a few hours in the office, still feel full of energy? Why certain environments uplift our spirits and make us breathe deeper, while others drain our energy? We seem to have forgotten how deeply connected we are with the space we live in and how important is for our well being to live in a balanced environment.As our lives are certainly not getting easier, the need to create a healthy and vibrant home environment cannot be overestimated. Understanding Aromatherapy In the 1920's, a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, was one day making fragrances in his laboratory, when he accidentally burned his arm. He then thrust his badly burnt arm into the nearest cold liquid, which turned out to be a tub of lavender oil.
|
| home | Iridology | "Mind Machines" | "Alternative Health" site map | Iridology Site Map | "Alternative Botox" |
| © 2000 - 2010 |
