Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you lacked the ability to smell? Sure, it may not seem as difficult as trying to navigate a room while blindfolded, or attempting to perform daily tasks without using your thumbs, but you would still be missing a lot. For one thing, your sense of taste would go out the window, too. For another, your brain is wired to interpret signals from your olfactory center to tell you what pleasures or hazards may be lurking in your surroundings. In fact, you could say that much of what you know about the world, and how you relate to it, depends on your sense of smell.
The physiology of smell
Olfaction is the only sense fully developed at birth in humans, and it plays an important role in an infant's ability to recognize and bond with his or her mother. Even the "chemistry" felt between two adults may be prompted by smell. Scientists have identified substances called pheromones in human body scent that act as chemical messengers to the brain to stimulate, among other responses or behaviors, sexual attraction to a potential mate. With at least 5 million odor-sensing cells lining the nasal passages, the nose seems to be well-equipped to detect smells on its own. But, some scientists speculate that, like other animals, people may also have a nasal sensory device known as a vomeronasal organ that helps them to detect these subtle fragrance molecules.
There's little doubt that certain odors can have a direct impact on the way we think and feel. The smell of freshly baked bread, for example, may conjure up fond memories of home and hearth. Other scents, such as floral or spicy aromas, may induce a romantic mood. So recognized is this effect that many European and Asian facilities are investing in "indirect perfuming" to enhance productivity in the workplace and to promote recovery in hospitals.
Defining `true' aromatherapy
Aromatherapy isn't just about using scents, however. In fact, Marie Anakee Miczak, lecturer, teacher, and author of Secret Potions, Elixirs-& Concoctions: Aromatic Recipes for Mind, Body and Soul, makes a distinction between simply using a scented product (such as a scented candle) and directly applying the benefits of botanical essential oils. The former practice is actually termed aromacology and the latter is true "aroma-therapy."
According to Miczak, the mainstream cosmetic and perfume industry has contributed to confusing the two by promoting products with fragrance oils rather than pure plant-based essential oils.
The term "aromatherapy," and its basic principles, is attributed to the early 20th-century French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse. While working to refine a new perfume fragrance, Gattefosse suffered a serious burn to his arm and he turned to the nearest cool liquid available to relieve his pain -- a vat of lavender oil. The chemist was reportedly rewarded with immediate relief and a speedy recovery without scarring. It then occurred to Gattefosse that essential oils may not only be useful in perfumery, but also as healing agents in themselves. In recognition of the "antiseptic, bactericidal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils," in 1937 Gattefosse referred to this emerging therapeutic field as "aromatherapie," explains Clare Maxwell Hudson in Aromatherapy Massage: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Massaging With Essential Oils (1994).
Miczak explains aromatherapy's healing mechanism by defining essential oils as being "complex, volatile substances which contain plant hormones, nutrients, and thousands of other bio-chemicals that scientists haven't even yet documented. When these essential oils are smelled or applied to the skin, they are absorbed and carried through the bloodstream to their intended target."
As Bonnie Kirby, a Reiki Master and member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy notes, "Aromatherapy has a balancing effect on the body. Pure essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic properties and can be used to treat many ailments, not only physical, but spiritual and psychological, as well. The natural plant medicine derived from aromatherapy offers a gentle alternative to the dangers of synthetic drugs." For the chemically sensitive, this aspect can be particularly beneficial.
"Aromassage": aromatherapy and its 'marriage' to massage
Aromatherapy has an especially synergistic effect when combined with other therapies, such as massage. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese all used plant-derived aromatic massage oils and salves to enhance their mental and physical health. In fact, Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, believed that "The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and massage every day." Traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) regards aromatic massage as an important component of its 3,000-year-old system of healing. Today, many spas and professional massage therapists are incorporating the benefits of aromatherapy in a form of massage known as "aromassage."
Massage, alone, is relaxing and helps to increase circulation and the elimination of impurities. But, deep massage, combined with the relaxing aromatic and therapeutic properties of essential oils, can have a profound influence over your physical health and emotional outlook. If you have never had this type of massage before, then grab your partner and a towel -- you're in for a real treat.
Aromassage at home
According to Miczak, "Aromassage can be any massage method using essential oils, either on the skin (aromatherapy) or dispersed in the air (aromacology)." There are several excellent books available on the various massage techniques. But, for the uninitiated, a warm hand and learning gentle, yet firm, strokes are your goals. Incidentally, it's not necessary to smother the person being massaged with oil. In fact, too much oil will make your hands slip and diminish the effectiveness of the massage.
There are two basic techniques that are very beneficial -- effleurage and petrissage (see "Massage? Take your pick" below).
Effleurage is a series of long or short soothing strokes made with the palm of the whole hand, not just the fingers. Your hands should be relaxed, but firm. Try not to lift up the hand at the end of a stroke to begin another. Instead, your other hand should be ready to replace the first, creating a fluid, uninterrupted movement. This technique is used to relieve muscle tension and to improve blood flow.
Petrissage is similar to kneading dough. The fingers are involved in gently rolling muscle and fatty areas, while never pinching. The thumbs should be giving the most pressure in this type of stroke. This technique is very effective for improving circulation and increasing lymphatic flow to release stored toxins.
All oils are not created equal
In terms of the selection of materials, the first rule of thumb is to make sure that the essential oils you plan to use are pure, botanical-based oils and not merely fragrant oils. The price of essential oils varies greatly, depending on the type of plant from which they are extracted and the manufacturer who has produced them. If the price of any essential oil seems surprisingly low, then assume that the quality may also be; the product may even be diluted or composed of synthetic ingredients. Robert B. Tisserand details the quality issues quite comprehensively in his classic text, The Art of Aromatherapy (Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1977).
You will also need a "carrier" oil to add to your essential oils, which can sometimes be irritating when applied directly onto skin. Always use quality carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, apricot kernel, or peach kernel. While oils such as vegetable or olive are sometimes recommended, I personally find that these tend to "cling" to skin rather than be neatly absorbed. The best ratio for mixing a massage oil blend is 3-5 drops of essential oil per each teaspoon of carrier oil.
There are several ways to incorporate aromacology into your massage session. It can be as simple as adding a few drops of essential oil to a pan of warm water left in the room, or by spraying the room with a mister in which 4-6 drops of essential oil and a cup of water have been mixed. But, one of the most satisfactory ways of dispersing the fragrance molecules of an essential oil is with a diffuser. Diffusers are equipped with a metal, glass, or ceramic container that holds several drops of an essential oil that are released into the air via the heat of a candle or electricity. Generally, 3-6 drops placed in the diffuser are sufficient.
Your selection of essential oils should complement your personal preferences and needs. If you feel a need to de-stress, lavender or mints (e.g., peppermint, spearmint) are good choices. If you've been lacking energy and need to refocus, then lemon or rosemary will lend their stimulating properties. But, personal choice is the key.
As Miczak points out, "Having something used on you that has a scent that you find personally pleasing can sometimes give a better effect than essential oils indicated for massage." According to Miczak, the most common oils used in massage are bergamot, rose, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, lavender, neroli, and sandalwood -- "mostly because they are non-irritating to skin and pleasing to most people."
If you're just starting out buying essential oils, Kirby recommends some of the more common oils such as lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and ginger. But, choose whatever scents do the most to relax and comfort, or energize, you. Just follow your nose.
Massage? Take your pick!
Pir Henry Ling (1776-1839) brought therapeutic massage to international popularity in the early 19th century. Using physiology as a base, a "system of treatment combining massage with physical exercise" was developed which, later, became known as "Swedish Massage," Maxwell-Hudson points out in another of her books, Massage: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide (New York: DK Publishing, 1999).
The terms Ling gave to certain massage movements are still used today, including:
Effleurage: gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs, or fingertips.
Petrissage: keading movements with the hands or with the thumbs and fingers.
Friction: circular pressures with the thumbs, fingers, or palms of the hands.
Vibration: oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
Tapotement: (Percussion): brisk pummelling, hacking, or tapping actions.
Passive & active movements: movements that are either applied to or performed by the recipient. They include bending, stretching, and rotary movements.