Fragrances can Rejuvenate Our
Mind-Body System
Nose may not appear to be an extraordinary part of the human body, but it certainly has unique constituent cells which, if stimulated, may help in rejuvenating our mind-body system. In fact, nose is a part of the chemosensory system, which consists of the senses of smell and taste. Our ability to smell comes from specialized sensory cells, called olfactory sensory neurons.
They are found in a small patch of tissue (of the size of a postal stamp) high inside the nose. Each olfactory neuron has one odor receptor. Microscopic molecules released by substances such as food, flowers, perfumes, etc stimulate these receptors. Once the neurons detect the molecules, they send messages to the brain, which identifies the smell. Although smell is a basic sense, it is also at the forefront of neurological research.
Doctors and scientists have been researching on the effect of fragrances of essential oils and perfumes for aroma therapy. It has been observed that aroma therapy helps in reducing mental stress, anxiety and other mental disorders, which, in turn, help our mind to be happy and joyful.
Swami Rama has mentioned in his famous book titled ‘Living with the Himalayan Masters’ that during spring season when one passes through the valley of flowers, fragrance of flowers makes him so joyful that he forgets everything. Let us see his experience there in his own words – “The flowers were in full bloom as far as the eye could see. For the first few hours it was soothing to the senses and stimulating to the mind.
But slowly I started noticing that my memory was slipping away. After five or six hours (Gudadi) baba asked, “Hey you! Can you tell me your name?” We (Swami Rama and his fellow monk) were both so disoriented that we could not remember our names. We had completely forgotten them. I was only aware of my existence and had a hazy idea that I was with two other people. That’s all.
The fragrance of those flowers was so strong that we could not think rationally. Our ability to reason wouldn’t function. --- We lived in this valley for a week. It was highly enjoyable. ---After we came out of the Valley of Flowers, the baba said, ‘Your joy was because of the influence of the fragrance of the flowers’.” Due to an intense fragrance in the air, our sense organs become senseless and a person reaches an ecstatic state of joy. It has been found that different fragrances produce different effects on the nervous system, which may have a positive or negative impact on our health. This is the reason why aroma therapy has become a big business and such therapy centers are growing all around the world.
Aromatherapy makes use of essential oils, extracted from flowers and plants by steam distillation or cold pressing. Essential oils of lavender, frankincense, peppermint, tea tree, etc are known to stimulate the nervous system via their topical application. Extracts of agara (eagle wood), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), sandal wood, clove, camphor, and eucalyptus along with other fragrant plants like rose, chamelº (jasmine), champ³ (Magnolia champaca), r³ta-r³nº (night blooming jasmine, cestrum nocturnum), etc. have also been suggested for aroma therapy. Aroma of the extracts of different plants and flowers can help relieve stress, boost the immune system, provide various beauty benefits, and keep various ailments at bay. For aroma therapy, sometimes a patient is kept in a room with an aroma of appropriate essential oil; or a sugar cube mixed with the oil is placed on the tongue of the patient and he is asked to feel the fragrance without swallowing the cube. This is repeated three times a day which helps in relaxing the mind of the patient.
René-Maurice Gaefossé is regarded as the Father of Aromatherapy and the inventor of the word itself. His book titled ‘Gaefossé Aroma Therapy’ (which is the English translation of his renowned work in French ‘Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essenelles hormones végétales’) gives a fascinating account of human, animal and plant smells, the classi!ication of essential oils and their therapeutic use in treating different diseases. Dr. Jean Valnet has also discussed, in detail, all the aspects of this novel therapy in his book ‘Practice of Aromatherapy: Holistic Health and the Essential Oils of Flowers and Herbs’. Essential oils can be used for protecting, nourishing and restoring vital energy. They can be used in three different ways, namely, aromatically (by inhalation), topically and internally. Aromatic and topical use of these oils is effective for good health and wellness. However, internal use, or direct ingestion of essential oils, is risky and should be practiced only by an experienced practitioner. Aromatic use often employs a diffuser, but it is also possible to put a drop of essential oil on a cotton ball, allowing the drop to diffuse and inhaling directly from the cotton ball. For topical use, the essential oil is diluted in some kind of carrier, usually a sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, aloe vera gel, lotion, or cream.
In addition to aroma therapy, Yajóa therapy has also shown positive results in rejuvenating human body. Various clinical trials, case studies, and laboratory tests have confirmed the significance of Yajóa therapy for curing viral infections, psychosomatic disorders and dreaded diseases like cancer and AIDS. Now there is a need to investigate the combination of these two therapies for the holistic health of all living beings.
Recommended References: 1. Keville, Kathi, and Mindy Green: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art. (2nd Ed.). New York: Crossings Press (2008) 2. Schnaubelt, Kurt: The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. Vermont: Healing Arts Press (2011) 3. Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young: Essential Oil Safety. (2nd Ed.). London: Elsevier (2014) 4. Acharya Sharma S.: Yajóa k³ jóana vijó³na. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 25. Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India (1995). 5. Acharya Shrama S.: Yajóa – Eka Samagra Upac³ra Prakriy³. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 26 Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India (1995).
Nose may not appear to be an extraordinary part of the human body, but it certainly has unique constituent cells which, if stimulated, may help in rejuvenating our mind-body system. In fact, nose is a part of the chemosensory system, which consists of the senses of smell and taste. Our ability to smell comes from specialized sensory cells, called olfactory sensory neurons.
They are found in a small patch of tissue (of the size of a postal stamp) high inside the nose. Each olfactory neuron has one odor receptor. Microscopic molecules released by substances such as food, flowers, perfumes, etc stimulate these receptors. Once the neurons detect the molecules, they send messages to the brain, which identifies the smell. Although smell is a basic sense, it is also at the forefront of neurological research.
Doctors and scientists have been researching on the effect of fragrances of essential oils and perfumes for aroma therapy. It has been observed that aroma therapy helps in reducing mental stress, anxiety and other mental disorders, which, in turn, help our mind to be happy and joyful.
Swami Rama has mentioned in his famous book titled ‘Living with the Himalayan Masters’ that during spring season when one passes through the valley of flowers, fragrance of flowers makes him so joyful that he forgets everything. Let us see his experience there in his own words – “The flowers were in full bloom as far as the eye could see. For the first few hours it was soothing to the senses and stimulating to the mind.
But slowly I started noticing that my memory was slipping away. After five or six hours (Gudadi) baba asked, “Hey you! Can you tell me your name?” We (Swami Rama and his fellow monk) were both so disoriented that we could not remember our names. We had completely forgotten them. I was only aware of my existence and had a hazy idea that I was with two other people. That’s all.
The fragrance of those flowers was so strong that we could not think rationally. Our ability to reason wouldn’t function. --- We lived in this valley for a week. It was highly enjoyable. ---After we came out of the Valley of Flowers, the baba said, ‘Your joy was because of the influence of the fragrance of the flowers’.” Due to an intense fragrance in the air, our sense organs become senseless and a person reaches an ecstatic state of joy. It has been found that different fragrances produce different effects on the nervous system, which may have a positive or negative impact on our health. This is the reason why aroma therapy has become a big business and such therapy centers are growing all around the world.
Aromatherapy makes use of essential oils, extracted from flowers and plants by steam distillation or cold pressing. Essential oils of lavender, frankincense, peppermint, tea tree, etc are known to stimulate the nervous system via their topical application. Extracts of agara (eagle wood), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), sandal wood, clove, camphor, and eucalyptus along with other fragrant plants like rose, chamelº (jasmine), champ³ (Magnolia champaca), r³ta-r³nº (night blooming jasmine, cestrum nocturnum), etc. have also been suggested for aroma therapy. Aroma of the extracts of different plants and flowers can help relieve stress, boost the immune system, provide various beauty benefits, and keep various ailments at bay. For aroma therapy, sometimes a patient is kept in a room with an aroma of appropriate essential oil; or a sugar cube mixed with the oil is placed on the tongue of the patient and he is asked to feel the fragrance without swallowing the cube. This is repeated three times a day which helps in relaxing the mind of the patient.
René-Maurice Gaefossé is regarded as the Father of Aromatherapy and the inventor of the word itself. His book titled ‘Gaefossé Aroma Therapy’ (which is the English translation of his renowned work in French ‘Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essenelles hormones végétales’) gives a fascinating account of human, animal and plant smells, the classi!ication of essential oils and their therapeutic use in treating different diseases. Dr. Jean Valnet has also discussed, in detail, all the aspects of this novel therapy in his book ‘Practice of Aromatherapy: Holistic Health and the Essential Oils of Flowers and Herbs’. Essential oils can be used for protecting, nourishing and restoring vital energy. They can be used in three different ways, namely, aromatically (by inhalation), topically and internally. Aromatic and topical use of these oils is effective for good health and wellness. However, internal use, or direct ingestion of essential oils, is risky and should be practiced only by an experienced practitioner. Aromatic use often employs a diffuser, but it is also possible to put a drop of essential oil on a cotton ball, allowing the drop to diffuse and inhaling directly from the cotton ball. For topical use, the essential oil is diluted in some kind of carrier, usually a sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, aloe vera gel, lotion, or cream.
In addition to aroma therapy, Yajóa therapy has also shown positive results in rejuvenating human body. Various clinical trials, case studies, and laboratory tests have confirmed the significance of Yajóa therapy for curing viral infections, psychosomatic disorders and dreaded diseases like cancer and AIDS. Now there is a need to investigate the combination of these two therapies for the holistic health of all living beings.
Recommended References: 1. Keville, Kathi, and Mindy Green: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art. (2nd Ed.). New York: Crossings Press (2008) 2. Schnaubelt, Kurt: The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. Vermont: Healing Arts Press (2011) 3. Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young: Essential Oil Safety. (2nd Ed.). London: Elsevier (2014) 4. Acharya Sharma S.: Yajóa k³ jóana vijó³na. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 25. Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India (1995). 5. Acharya Shrama S.: Yajóa – Eka Samagra Upac³ra Prakriy³. Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Samagra Vangmaya Vol. 26 Akhand Jyoti Sansthan, Mathura; UP, India (1995).
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