Aromatherapy is a natural method of healing certain ailments or changing certain moods with the aid of using certain pure essential oils in massage and inhalation. 

When we inhale aromas such as pure essential oils, our sense of smell kicks in. The process of smelling starts from the time molecules from the object that emits the smell reaches the nose.  Objects with a scent or odour give off molecules;  the molecules are mostly volatile chemicals so it easily reaches the nose.  Some things have no smell because there are no molecules evaporating from them. 

The evaporating molecules come in contact with the neurons in the nose. The neurons have hair-like projections called cilia where the odour molecules bind. This triggers the neuron to signal the brain and the person smells the odour.  The human nose is lined with special olfactory receptor neurons that can distinguish more than 10,000 odours. There are receptors for the detection of certain smells and any receptor that is missed or damaged make that person unable to detect the particular smell intended for that receptor.   Pure essential oils consist of tiny aromatic molecules that are readily absorbed into the skin, while inhaling the vapours they enter the lungs, and into the bloodstream.  It’s there they are carried around the body where they can deliver their beneficial healing powers. 

Here are some interesting studies on using our sense of smell:

1. Scents and emotions are linked by learning or why we like or dislike certain scents or smells
   This study on the connection between odour and memory has shown that the emotion we associate with any odour is dependent to the emotion that a person was experiencing at the time that odour was smelled for the first time.  If a person was having a pleasant emotion, he or she is more likely to like the odour or scent introduced during that time.  If, however, a person was having an unpleasant emotion, then he or she is more like to dislike a scent or odour. Some researchers call this ‘odour imprinting'.
   
   Related to this experiment, cultural experiences also apply to learning to like or dislike any scent. As examples, the following were presented:  Americans are more inclined to like the smell of wintergreen - an ingredient in candies and gums while the British find the odour less pleasing since wintergreen is often used in making medicines. The study also showed exemptions to the above findings like, irritating odours, which are immediately disliked. Genetic differences also affect responses to odours.
   
   
2. Odour affects future behaviour
   This study indicates that “emotions can become conditioned to odours and subsequently influence behaviour”.  As in the experiment, the participants who were frustrated and associated a certain smell with the emotion felt frustration without any reason the time they encountered the smell.  An experiment under the opposite situation was only conducted and the participants indeed showed pleasantness the next time they smelled the odour associated with a pleasant feeling.

Our sense of smell is therefore an amazing gift we tend to under value, however without it can you imagine how life wouldn’t be as enjoyable. Our sense of smell affects us all so powerfully.

Do you need high quality essential oils and aromatherapy products for your business at great wholesale rates?  If you’re a business looking to begin stocking aromatherapy and essential oils or wish to expand your range of essential oils, we have special wholesale prices available no matter what size your business is.  Please call 0800 290 000 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to request a wholesale price list.

Although the practice of using pure essential oils goes back many centuries, not many of us know that aromatherapy was officially founded by René-Maurice Gattefossé, known as the “father of aromatherapy”.  A French chemist who accidentally burnt his hand, René-Maurice covered his arm in lavender oil, the nearest liquid he could find. He noticed his hand healed very quickly with minimal scaring and he then went on to dedicate his life to studying aromatherapy and is accredited for coming up with the term “aromatherapy”.  We can all benefit from aromatherapy due to the therapeutic properties of pure essential oils, including men.  Patchouli, sandalwood, bergamot, frankincense, cypress, ginger, black pepper, vetivert, and the citrus oils are favoured essential oils by men as they tend to be either woodsy or masculine scented fragrances.

Here are a couple of ways essential oils can be beneficial to men:

Aphrodiasiacs: Essential oils of sandalwood, jasmine and ylang ylang stimulate sexuality and have ability to arouse the senses.

Hair loss: Lavender essential oil is said to help minimise hair loss and is found to be a safe and effective treatment. Try brushing the hair and scalp regularly with a soft bristle brush to stimulate the scalp.

Sports rub: Before participating in sports a rub can warm the muscles before exercise and helps to alleviate tense or aching muscles, joint and arthritic pain and makes muscles suppler. Try using our Muscular Relief Synergistic Blend with a carrier oil, Deep Tissue Massage Balm or Muscular Relief Massage, Body & Bath Oil.

In addition your favourite essential oil can be enjoyed in massage, in a burner or vaporiser in the office or home, in a foot soak or in the bath!

Introducing aromatherapy into your life can enhance your mood, revitalise your mind and body, strengthen your immune system and promotes good health – naturally!  We thought we would share some information on how pure essential oils can help in certain everyday situations!

Energy boosters - Feeling a little lethargic and need a pick me up?  Grapefruit, sweet orange and lemon oils are citrus based pure essential oils that are uplifting and can perk you up if you lack energy – plus they smell amazing, so invigorating!  Rosemary essential oil is good too for strengthening mental clarity and awareness. Try burning a pure essential oil with a few drops of water into a burner and inhaling the vapours.

Menopause and PMT helpers - Basil, bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lavender and marjoram pure essential oils are known to help alleviate menopausal symptoms. Menstrual cramps can be relieved with chamomile, lavender and marjoram oils, while bergamot and clary sage oils work to improve overall mood, keep you even-tempered, and lift the spirits.  Any of these pure essential oils can be inhaled or made into a healing massage oil to rub onto the tummy, or try sitting in a hot bath with five to seven drops of a pure essential oil, inhaling the steam off the water, receiving the benefits of the oils through pores opened by warmth at the same time.

Stress busters - If you’ve had a hard day in the office or just need to unwind make a foot or hand bath. To the warm water add 3 to 4 drops of one of these pure essential oils - basil, bergamot, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, patchouli, pettigrain or sandalwood oil. The warmth in the water helps the blood vessels to dilate, and the essential oils are absorbed through the skin. Inhale the aroma to enjoy more aromatherapy benefits.

Don't forget we also have some ready made blends, useful for helping with energy, menopause, PMT and stress. Just visit our store page.