Follow One Consciousness Tweets - Having just come out of the holiday season we can all appreciate how much our mood can be impacted by aromas. The pungent smell of pine, spicy cinnamon, hot apple pie, roasting turkey – just thinking of these smells can jump start the body/mind and evoke thoughts and feelings that are tied to our holiday celebrations. The smell of leather, or your mother’s favorite fragrance, fallen leaves, fresh cut grass, each and every scent has a distinct effect on us bringing up emotions, thoughts, reactions, images or memories of a time when we first encountered that scent.
Fields Of Lavendar Body Powder - Yummmm!
Whole industries are devoted to the use of scent to set the tone in our home or office environments. Scented candles, home fragrance sprays, incense, colognes, the list is endless of ways to perfume our world. Most popular scents are derived from the natural world of plants, flowers and trees. The plant, flower or tree resin is distilled into an essential oil which can be used in its condensed form or mixed with other ingredients to create products that can be used for therapeutic purposes.
Aroma therapy is an ancient technique for shifting the vibration of the body/mind through the use of scent. The aroma therapist is skilled and knowledgeable not only in the different fragrances and scents but also in how each scent can assist in altering the state of mind and wellbeing of the client. Aroma therapists may also develop products based upon their knowledge that the client can use at home such as bath salts, balms, spritzes, sprays, and lotions. Aroma therapy can also be combined with other bodywork or energy work practices as a complement to the main focus of the therapy.
The human energy field or energetic anatomy has seven chakras or centers where universal energy is transformed into use by the human body. These chakras or energy centers can become imbalanced through trauma, from being in a harsh environment or from ancestral, genetic or karmic causes. The use of aroma therapy can aid in balancing out, attuning and aligning these centers so that you feel more present in the world, more balanced and better able to act upon your inspirations in a positive and life affirming way.
Here is a list of a few of the different scents that you can use and ways that they can assist you in achieving a greater sense of health and well being:
Amber – Believed to be a good source of beneficial negative ions when worn close to or on the skin.
Lavender – Clears thinking, dissipates fears, releases repressed emotions, minimizes anger & reduces worry.
Patchouli – Diminishes depression, eases anxiety, heightens sense of joy in life. Cools & calms during emotionally hot situations.
Pine – refreshing & revitalizing, restores strength. Has a balancing effect, calming emotional upsets due to hormonal imbalances.
Rose Geranium – Rose Geranium – a great all-over balancing effect, helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety.
Rosemary – helps in coping with stressful conditions, relaxes nerves, balances intense emotions and controls mood swings.
There are many, many more scents and many ways in which scent can be used to assist you in your journey to health. Try experimenting with a few essential oils, usually easily purchased in your local health food store. See which scents work best to help you feel good. Experiment too with mixing scents. This can be especially fun in the bath. It’s a great way to practice good self care and to learn something new!
Amethyst Wyldfyre is a multidimensional shaman, healer, artist, author, blogger, performer, speaker and psychic who lives and works in the Merrimack Valley of NH. She can be reached through her website or blog for more information. She can also be followed on Twitter at @AWyldfyre. (This article was originally published in Applaud Magazine Late Winter 2008 edition)
