Aromatherapy

Scent refers to a pleasant odor, which is caused by volatile chemical compounds which humans and many animals can perceive via their sense of smell.

The SENSE of smell is usually regarded as rudimentary, showing its importance in survival mechanisms, such as the identification of predators, attraction of mating pairs, or location of food.

Interestingly, the neurological structure of the olfactory organ differs from other senses. Unlike the other sensory systems, which are routed via thalamus to the brain cortex (seat of the analytical mind), the olfactory tract is relayed directly to the limbic system, a brain region associated with memory and emotional processes. This is why the sense of smell possesses a unique ability to influence moods and social behaviors and contributes to memory creation.

Scent can be harnessed to induce emotional and physiological responses that can improve human health and well-being.

Odors that evoke positive personal memories have the potential to increase positive emotions, decrease negative mood states, and reduce physiological indices of stress, including systemic markers of inflammation. These relationships underlie e.g., the stress-releasing and mood-lifting effects possessed by some essential oils.

AROMATHERAPY is a complementary health practice, which uses aromatic plant extracts, mainly essential oils, for healing purposes. When inhaled, the scent molecules generate nerve signals, which travel from the olfactory organ directly to the emotional centers of the brain.

The effects of aromatherapy are still under scientific investigation; e.g., this method was described as effective for pain relief in labor, blood pressure reduction in hypertension, and reduction of stress, depression, sleep disorders, and anxiety.

ESSENTIAL OILS are aromatic, volatile liquids obtained from plants through steam distillation. Sometimes known as volatile oils or etheric oils, they contain the essence of the plant from which they are derived. Essential oils (EO) are obtained from different parts of the plants: e.g., from flowers (rose or lavender EO), leaves (eucalyptus), bark (cinnamon), wood (sandalwood), seeds (anise), peel (orange), rhizome (ginger), or resin (frankincense EO).

Essential oils make part of traditional medicine since ancient times. Avicenna, the preeminent physician of the Muslim world in the 11^th century, was reportedly the first to derive the precious fragrance of flowers from distillation.

Author of the review: Kristina Höschlová