Disturbed vibrations occur in the body as a precursor of illness. Vibrational healing restores the body's healthy vibrations. Essential oils can be used to balance the subtle energy flows in the body.
We are surrounded by vibrations at all times. Our ears are tuned to receive sound vibrations, our eyes focus on vibrations of light which allow us to see colour, and our noses detect vibrations of aromatic molecules which allow us to become aware of scents. The most important ingredient in the Aromatherapy treatment is the essential oil.
Aromatherapists and perfumeries use musical language to describe scents. We talk of essential oils being a top, middle, and base note. About a century ago, a perfumery named Piesse arranged scents on a stave, or musical scale, and this went some way to describing the vibration of scents.
Aromas were also described by colour. Scents can be described as 'green' or 'blue' or perhaps 'vivid red', and we mix scents as we would, colour on an artist's palette.
Historically, the sense of smell has always been important to man and to his survival. A newborn baby recognises his mother mainly by scent until his eyesight improves and he learns to focus.
To early man, his sense of smell was every bit as important as what it is to animals. Humans and animals alike emit pheromones (from the Greek 'pherein' to carry and 'hormon' to excite) which attract, repel, identify or mark territory.
Human pheromones are chemicals manufactured by the apocrine glands and radiated into the air around us. The scent of these are detected by the people in our immediate vicinity and play a large part in sexual attraction. Although we are all radiate pheromones and react to other people's pheromones, this function takes place on a subconscious level.
As the pheromones we produce are affected by fluctuations in other hormone levels, they can indicate our emotional state. For instance, the surge of adrenalin produced in times of anxiety can produce a smell of fear. Animals are highly receptive to scents and can easily detect emotion in humans.
Apocrine glands are also located on the soles of the feet and pheromone molecules can remain on the ground for up to two weeks. Primitive tribes have, until comparatively recently, detected the proximity of other people by sniffing the ground.
It is only the process of 'civilisation' that has blunted our sense of smell and with it our innate knowledge that scents produce profound responses within us.
Although early man used his sense of smell for survival and reproduction in much the same way as other animals, our present culture pays little attention to the sense of smell in its natural, emotional, feeling sense. We mainly use the sense of smell in a cosmetic way. Spraying and powdering ourselves to remove or mask our natural scents. We have for so long subdued our senses by the constraints of reason and the rational mind, that we have lost touch with our spiritual nature. We no longer give freedom to the inner, unseen realms of the mind and the subtle communications of the psyche.
The importance of the effects of scents on the human psyche has been gradually eroded. At one time, incense was burned on temple altars on a daily basis (it is still used today as an important part of some religious services); fragrant herbs and flowers were strewn on the floor of a dwelling. Odours were often associated with illness and disease. An evil smell was so much a part of the plague that it was believed to be one of the earliest symptoms. It had an odour that was foul and distinctive. The breath of plague victims was described by physicians of the time as that of 'rotten flesh' or 'corrupt cadavers'.
Because breathing in the foul stench was thought to be one of the methods of contracting the disease, those who were still healthy carried nosegays and pomanders of highly perfumed flowers and spices. By holding these to the nose they believed that they were warding off infection carried in the venomous air. In the Middle Ages, and even later, pleasant smells were considered to be an important part of good health and immunity to disease. During the 1348 plague, French physicians prescribed breathing in cold aromatics like roses, sandalwood, renuphar, vinegar, rose-water, camphor and chilled apples for summertime protection. And in the winter, hot aromatics like aloe, amber, sweetgum and nutmeg.
Another physician prescribed that "The heart must be eased by external bathing and internally with syrups and other medicines. All such preparations must contain some perfume and some aroma, like the fragrance of the lemon tree, syrup of apples and lemons and the acid of pomegranate". Another recommended that the house and the body should be kept clean; the rooms of the house should be ventilated, sprinkled with vinegar and filled with scented flowers and plants. It should be "perfumed with good smells. So let vine leaves, sweet rushes, willow and osier, small plants and leaves of the lemon tree and all other green things like flowers and sweet-smelling pommes be strewn throughout and placed in the corners and on the walls of the chambers".
Unfortunately, the bodily cleanliness did not include the use of water. In fact, washing and bathing was considered a dangerous practice at times, as it opened the pores and allowed the odorous, plague-ridden air to enter the body more easily. The hands and face were cleansed with aromatic lotions and frequent changes of clothing, with abundant use of perfumes, were considered to be indispensable. Physicians recommended that their bodies be washed in tepid vinegar twice a day.
There was also thought to be an odour of sanctity, saints and mystics were considered to emanate sweet odours of violets, roses, cinnamon and cloves. This sweet odour was noted even after death and remains of saints were alleged to have given off sweet floral odours many years after death. Pope Benedict XIV stated "That the human body may by nature not have an overtly unpleasant odour is possible, but that it should actually have a pleasing smell - that is beyond nature. If such an agreeable odour exists, whether there does or does not exist a natural cause capable of producing it, it must be owing to some higher course and thus deemed to be miraculous". Therefore the pleasant odour of the saint is seen as evidence of sanctity.
Throughout the ages, scents and odours have had a deep and profound effect on the human psyche. Suskind says "For scent was a brother breath. Together with breath it entered human beings who could not defend themselves against it, not if they wanted to live. And scent entered into their very core, went directly to their hearts and decided for good and all between affection and contempt, disgust and lust, love and hate, the who ruled scent ruled the hearts of men."
Dee is a Doctor of Reflexology, Homeopathic Practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist, and Reiki Master. Her site is AkobiAromas.com - a source of quality aromatherapy, herbal and reflexology information and products.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Apparently one percent of British people suffer from the speech... Read More
Mom was right to insist on us eating our vegetables.... Read More
Anxiety sufferers are usually at a loose end after trying... Read More
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that sits on... Read More
This is a very simplified primer on basic Reiki. It's... Read More
For some, it's a familiar scenario. You've been sitting for... Read More
What is self confidence and how do you get it?... Read More
Osmotic chemicals ? Saline CartherticsThese chemicals are salts and other... Read More
Naturopathic medicine is a system and philosophy of medicine that... Read More
Apple Juice, Figs and RaisinsHere's another constipation home remedy using... Read More
Illness concerns everyone. How can we approach it? And what... Read More
Magnetic Advantage Newsletter FEATURED TOPIC... Read More
It's amazing what you can find when you start your... Read More
Bad breath (or halitosis medical term root from Latin) can... Read More
Low back pain is one of the most common pain... Read More
It started with the Tansy cakes. I had to ask... Read More
A medicinal beverage in Asia for almost 4000 years, green... Read More
Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the... Read More
Consider this:Already since 1972, over 60 million people in the... Read More
Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you... Read More
Pendulum Dowsing is a very fun and simple way to... Read More
Keeping in tune with our commitment to providing the latest,... Read More
Here's a simple exercise that anyone can do, even if... Read More
With the growing number of people being affected by newly... Read More
Aromatherapy, which involves the use of essential oils to treat... Read More
Can Color Therapy Be Used With Other Healing Techniques?Yes, color... Read More
Holistic Practitioners are holistic healing professionals with a gift in... Read More
When your body is toxic, toxins hide and embed themselves... Read More
HERBAL PRODUCTS are comprised of herbal care remedies, such as... Read More
We've all seen them, right? The stage hypnotist, who makes... Read More
With the increased usage of herbs for treatment of ailments... Read More
Alternative Therapies and alternative medicine has been gaining ground along... Read More
Are you aware that one of the most important indicators... Read More
Sheepskin a better sleep If you want a better sleep,... Read More
Glutamate is one of the most important transmitters of chronic... Read More
It is a sad fact that most people pay little... Read More
With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming... Read More
Understanding what holistic medicine is:Holistic Medicine is a wellness-based approach... Read More
"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more... Read More
It seems that nearly everyone I know has been either... Read More
If you have never used plant matter in magic before,... Read More
I'd like to share with you some basic food combining... Read More
The revolution is indeed underway. Money married to desire, imagination... Read More
Hemorrhoids are conditions where there is a swelling of the... Read More
The most common objection to alternative medicine from conventional physicians... Read More
Fruits are made by nature and are a perfect food.... Read More
My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before... Read More
Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products... Read More
Stories are powerful. How many times have you heard a... Read More
Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was... Read More
This article is a summary of some of the sleep... Read More
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?Myths and legends often have... Read More
Say you had a stressful day at work, didn't get... Read More
Alternative medicine is gaining more attention every day. The idea... Read More
Therapists, physicians, acupuncturists, massage therapists, body workers and energy workers... Read More
The Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.The ancient Greeks certainly had their... Read More
We breathe 22,000 times a day, inhaling 400 cubic feet... Read More
A Must Read if You Have Children!Would you allow your... Read More
Do you know the top ten causes for death? You... Read More
Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a... Read More
Chelating is the process of removing toxic materials, metals and... Read More
Cayenne is a constipation home remedy that is effective in... Read More
Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most... Read More
If you want to be healthy you need to understand... Read More
Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More
As powerful as the subconscious can be in relieving pain,... Read More
Alternative Medicine |