10% Real Scent

I saw an ad for an air freshener the other day.  It claimed that the product had been infused with some minute percentage of “real essential oils”.  What does that mean?  Amidst the synthetic assault they added some of the real deal.  How is that helpful?  That is like feeding my kids some tasty drink I find only to discover it contains 10% real fruit juice.  Why bother?  If I wanted to feed them sugar and color I would go to my pantry and make a cocktail out of precisely that.  I feel the same way about fragrances.  What is the point in deluging our senses with  fake scents?  Using the real deal will not only provide a wonderful aroma that will fade appropriately over time but also provide lasting benefits for the body while decreasing the toxic overload on the environment.  Scent was not meant to last nor be perfect.

I also just recently had the displeasure of being trapped in an elevator with a woman so doused in perfume I could hardly breathe. I call that kind of perfume “Dead Ballerina”.  I feel like my senses have been attacked.  It seems as though my olfactory nerves are working overtime these days.  Processing anything and everything from chemicals and synthetic fragrances to garbage and pollution to other body odors.  While many of us work in environments that promote “scent sensitivity” it isn’t enough. Everything seems to be scented: hygiene products, dish detergent, soap, lotion, hair gel, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, candles, laundry soap, dryer sheets, and cleaning products to name a few.  While I feel that scent plays a major role in my life and can contribute positively  to my overall well being, this aromatherapist advocates reducing the number of  natural and synthetically scented products used in the home and office at one time.  More of a good thing, is not a good thing at all considering it takes over 60,000 roses to make an ounce of rose oil.  Each ounce is so potent and meant to be used a drop at a time.   The fact is all of the scents are overloading the immune system.  There are more and more people cropping up with scent sensitivities that range in effects from runny noses and watery eyes to headaches and vomiting.

In addition, the wide spread use of synthetic fragrances that have permeated people’s lives are harmful.  They are not the real deal.  They contain chemicals and additives to make them last and smell the same for eternity.  That is a great selling feature for products that sit on your shelf that need to smell the same year after year.  In terms of one’s health and vitality they fail to deliver any therapeutic benefits at all.

Having been in the business of scents and aromatherapy for 10 years now I realize how very little many people actually know about scent or how to effectively use naturally scented products with maximum benefits.  Here some key points to consider when using and selecting naturally scented products:

1.    Choose products made by qualified companies. Not everyone knows how to use essential oils, blend them or use them in the correct proportions.  Generally speaking the dilution ratio of essential oils is 1% for children,  elderly, and the infirm 2-3% for the general public. Here is a  list of the most common applications and the amount of oil to use per application: http://mysticchick.com/spirit-and-ceremony/applications-for-synergy-oils/
2.    Decide what you want the product to do for you.  Is it simply to smell good, help detoxify the body, kill bacteria, liven up your living room, help promote relaxation?  Deciding what you want ahead of time will help you to hone in on the right product.
3.    Not all essential oils are created equal.  Some manufacturers have less than honorable practices  when harvesting oils which can have a grossly negative environmental impact. Buy from reputable companies who can tell you where they obtain their oils from and  how they were extracted.
4.    How does the product feel?  Intuition is the key.   Just because something is natural or your best friend swears by it does not necessarily mean it is the best one for you.  Trust your instincts.
5.    Does the company test on animals?  I  personally would run far, far away from any company that purports to be natural that does animal testing.  There is no need to subject animals to the testing of personal care or cleaning products, especially natural ones.
6.    Buy smaller quantities and sizes and replenish them more often.  Natural products just do not last as long as their commercial counterparts.  By buying in smaller quantities and sizes you will be sure to have less waste, truly enjoy your products, and will able to get more than one aroma to suit your mood  rather than a gallon of one kind of bubble bath.