The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Essential Oils
Smell is the only sense that we become numb to after a matter of minutes. Bright light is always bright light; we might get used to it, but it’s bright all the same. Loud noise stays loud until our eardrums can’t take it anymore. But scent actually disappears, perceptively. This is why you can’t smell your own perfume after a while. Or your own body odor, for that matter.
This is why aromatherapy is such a powerful therapeutic tool. Well, at least that’s my theory. But when you smell essential oils, the initial hit has a powerful affect on your body and nervous system. When we become numb to the scent, the effects are more subconscious.
A friend of mine swears that peppermint oil is the only thing that makes her feel better when she has a stomach ache. But here’s the catch – she doesn’t simply smell it. She rubs it on her belly. Peppermint oil, like many other essential oils, has powerful absorptive qualities. In a more direct way than peppermint tea or a peppermint candy could penetrate via the digestive system, actually applying peppermint oil to her belly allows the healing fumes to sink directly into the tissues and organs. As an added bonus, the sharp, sweet scent of peppermint oil has an association for her that speaks to healing and reviving. The mere smell of peppermint oil can now have a positive effect, thanks to smell’s strong nostalgic association.
At IO we use this science of aromatherapeutic oils in many of our products and services. The benefits range from somatic to emotional. Many of our massage treatments are customized with essential oils, such as our in-house IO Anoint Oil or In Fiore’s Dayala, Jolie, Shevanti or Tiagi Body Balms.
Pretty much every beauty product we sell or use at IO was selected in part due to its scent. And, of course, the quality of the essential oils in our products have to be up to par for us to stand behind them. Period.
Scent yourself, naturally,
Amy
