Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

Home
>
Alternative Medicine
>
Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

The Sense of Smell forms the greater part of our Sense of Taste (note how your sense of taste and smell is affected when you have a head cold or blocked up nose. The sense of smell is also affected by pollution, smoking, trauma to the nose itself and a mucous forming diet).

The sense of smell of our ancient ancestors was far superior to ours. They identified one another by smell as well as sight, and could even detect the usefulness of a plant by its smell. They also tracked animals by smell. The sense of smell helps us to distinguish between 'good' and 'bad' odours, which tell us if food is fit to be eaten or if there is disease or hygiene present.

ODOURS & DISEASE

A couple of hundred years ago, physicians would use the sense of smell as a diagnostic aid. Arthritis and rheumatism have an acid smell, a good midwife could tell a post-partum haemorrhage by the smell of blood passed, diabetes gives an acetone smell to the breathe and the urine, perspiration can give us clues as to the health of the kidneys and lymphatic system, the smell of faeces also can tell us the type of disease in the digestive tract. Natural medicine still uses this method of diagnosis.

The human nose has the ability to distinguish many thousands of different odours, and the memory of these odours is stored deep in our sub-conscious minds. (See R. Tisserand 'The Art of Aromatherapy" pages 60-73).

When we inhale air molecules which, are carrying the 'odoriferous' molecules of an essential oil, these molecules adhere to our Olfactory nerve endings in the back of the nose, producing stimulation of these nerve endings.

Sensory stimulation of the Olfactory centre is by a relay of nerve impulses from the sensory nerve endings in the nose to the brain.

This is a very rapid and direct pathway to the part of the Brain which directs, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input.

This pathway is very different to sensory stimulation of the sensory nerves in the skin which is more complex, being transmitted from a sensory nerve ending to the spinal cord, to the brain, back down the spinal cord, down a motor nerve ending and then to the appropriate organ. For example when we touch a hot object, the heat affects the sensory nerve ending in say the finger. This nerve relays a message along the sensory nerve fibre to its root in the spinal cord. The impulse is carried to the brain. The brain says "ouch !!! that's hot, take the finger off now".

This message is relayed down the spinal cord to the motor nerve root, and then to the appropriate muscle(s) organ(s) etc. to remove the finger from the hot object. As you will know from your own experience of touching something hot, there is often a time lag between touching the hot object and recognition of pain.

With the Olfactory Nerve there is no relay station - stimuli goes straight to the part of Central Nervous System called the LIMBIC SYSTEM, and the response is instant. Furthermore, the message cannot be blocked by the conscious mind.

The interesting and exciting aspect of this use of Essential Oil Therapy is that different essential oils produce different responses. Some affect the higher thought processes in the Cerebral Cortex by altering the electrical activity of different Cortical areas, and some affect the Hormone Producing cells in the Limbic System. These 'Brain Hormones' will then either effect the mental and emotional responses of the Brain itself, or will be released into the blood stream from where they may be carried to distant organs to produce the desired effect on the body chemistry.

AROMATHERAPY & THE MIND

ANXIETY:
Benzoin, Chamomile, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.

DEPRESSION:
Basil, Bergamot, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, peppermint, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang-Ylang.

ANGER:
Chamomile, Melissa, Rose, Ylang-Ylang.

APATHY:
Jasmine, Juniper, Patchouli, Rosemary.

CONFUSION:
Basil, Cypress, Frankincense, Peppermint, Patchouli.

DWELLING ON THE PAST:
Benzoin, Frankincense.

FEAR:
Basil, Clary, Jasmine, Juniper.

GRIEF:
Hyssop, Marjoram, Rose.

HYPERSENSITIVE:
Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa,

IMPATIENCE/IRRITABILITY:
Chamomile, Camphor, Marjoram, Frankincense.

JEALOUSY:
Rose, Ylang Ylang.

PANIC:
Chamomile, Clary, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, ylang-ylang.

SHOCK:
Camphor, Melissa, Neroli.

SUSPICION:
Lavender, Rose

EUPHORICS:
These oils stimulate the secretion of ENKEPHALINS from the THALAMUS to produce a euphoric effect and to lift or enhance the mood.Clary Sage, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Rose Otto.

APHRODISIACS:
These oils stimulate the secretion of ENDORPHINS from the PITUITARY GLAND to produce emotional warmth, and sex hormone activity. Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Ylang-Ylang.

REGULATORS:
These oils stimulate the secretion of VARIOUS HORMONAL SUBSTANCES from the HYPOTHALAMUS to regulate 'moods' and hormonal secretions. Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Rosewood.

MEMORY/MENTAL STIMULANTS:
These oils stimulate the AMYGDALA AND HIPPOCAMPUS in the brain which are associated with 'higher' brain functions, of thought and memory. Black Pepper, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary.

SEDATIVES:
These oils aid sleep, relax and lower hyperfunction in the body by stimulating the secretion of SERATONIN from the RAPHE NUCLEUS in the brain. Chamomile, Lavender, Marjoram, Orange Blossom.

INVIGORATORS:
These oils increase energy and body functions by stimulating the secretion of NORADRENALINE from the LOCUS CERULEUS of the brain Cardamom, Juniper, Lemongrass, Rosemary.

About The Author

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter ? it's fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Attack on Israel from Lebanon threatens 2nd front (AP)

AP - Lebanese militants fired at least three rockets into Israel early Thursday, threatening to open a new front for the Jewish state as it pushed forward with a bloody offensive in the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 700 people.

Obama warns of dire consequences without stimulus (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama said Thursday that the nation's recession could "linger for years" unless Congress acts to pump unprecedented sums from Washington into the U.S. economy, making his highest-profile case yet on an issue certain to define his early presidency.

Stock futures mixed ahead of economic data (AP)

AP - Wall Street headed for a mixed open Thursday, bracing for what are expected to be more bleak data on employment and retail sales.

Ill. panel to grill Burris on Senate appointment (AP)

AP - Illinois Republicans are promising tough questions Thursday for Senate-appointee Roland Burris on why he accepted a position offered by disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich and whether he promised the governor anything in return.

Report: US had unrealistic goals in Afghanistan (AP)

AP - The United States and its partners have shortchanged Afghanistan by focusing on short-term goals pursued without a cohesive strategy or a clear understanding of the way the poor, decentralized country works, an independent study concludes.

Rain and melting snow bring floods to Washington (AP)

AP - More than 30,000 people were urged to leave their flood-endangered western Washington homes as swollen rivers, mudslides and avalanches engulfed neighborhoods and roadways.

Obama's pick to lead on health care gets hearing (AP)

AP - Showing the emphasis that some lawmakers are putting on health care issues this year, former Sen. Tom Daschle will be the first of President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet choices to undergo a hearing.

Ore. teens largely ignoring cell phone driving ban (AP)

AP - The chances that a teenager will be cited for talking on a cell phone while driving are pretty much zero in Oregon, a consequence of the way the law is written and a problem other states may be facing.

'Dark Knight' sweeps People's Choice Awards (AP)

AP - Holy People's Choice Awards, Batman!

Hold that pose: Florida, Oklahoma play for No. 1 (AP)

AP - Standing next to the crystal football, Bob Stoops was the picture of Mr. Agreeable. Any pose the photographers wanted, the Oklahoma coach gave them. Looking to the right, gazing to the left, smiling straight ahead. That is, until a shutterbug told Stoops to hold up one finger a "we're No. 1" shot. No chance, pal.

Obama says recession will worsen without bold action (Reuters)

Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama will seek Thursday to rally support for a massive fiscal stimulus package by warning that the United States could remain mired in recession for years without bold action.

Rockets from Lebanon hit Israel amid Gaza offensive (Reuters)

Reuters - Several rockets fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel on Thursday, slightly wounding two people, police and medics said, in an attack seen as linked to Israel's war on Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip.

Citigroup sees synchronized global recession in 2009 (Reuters)

Reuters - Citigroup forecast a synchronized global recession in 2009 and said developed economies may "flirt" with deflation while emerging market economies will slow sharply, adding that global corporate earnings were only a quarter of the way through an expected 50 percent drop.

India vows to end fraud as Satyam scandal shocks (Reuters)

Reuters - India vowed to strengthen laws to prevent corporate fraud after Satyam Computer, the country's fourth-largest software company, shocked investors by revealing profits had been falsely inflated for years.

BoE cuts rates to record low (Reuters)

Reuters - The Bank of England cut interest rates by half a percentage point to a record low of 1.5 percent on Thursday as it battles to keep Britain from falling into a deep and lasting downturn.

Russia and Ukraine still deadlocked after gas talks (Reuters)

Reuters - Russia and Ukraine failed to resolve a gas row at a meeting in Moscow but will continue talks to end the dispute which has choked off supplies to Europe, a senior Ukrainian gas official said on Thursday.

Buyers rejoice: Manhattan home prices finally fall (Reuters)

Reuters - It took war, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and the collapse of some of New York's famed investment banks, but Manhattan apartment prices are finally falling.

Mumbai-like attack could happen in U.S. : Bush aide (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Rocket attacks jolt Israel as Gaza war blazes on (AFP)

AFP - Rockets fired into northern Israel from Lebanon on Thursday jolted efforts to end the war in Gaza where Israeli jets carried out mass strikes on smuggling tunnels.

Israel bombs Gaza tunnels as peace moves gather pace (AFP)

AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.

Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicine