By: Ruth McClain
The power of scent appeals to the senses in a profound way. As a child, being brought up in a poor family, although we were rich in experiences, oranges bring to mind the warm thoughts of Christmas. Unless there were oranges in the boxes of throwaway vegetables and fruits my father got from the grocery store to feed our egg-laying chickens, the only time we actually got oranges was at Christmas time in the bottom of our stockings. I remember pulling out the ribbon candy and nuts from Daddy’s big winter wool socks, and at the bottom was the orange. I would pull it to my nose with my eyes closed and smell in that luscious citrus smell—yes, it was finally Christmas.
Scents appeal to our very emotions. Some bring joy, sorrow, excitement, sensuality, energy, fear or any number of emotions. The sense of smell is linked to memory more than any other of the senses. Every scent we smell has a memory behind it. Meatloaf baking in the oven brings thoughts of my mother. Old Spice after-shave brings thoughts of my father. The wind blowing powerfully enough in winter to bring the smell of ozone through the cracks in the doors and windows brings thoughts of and the hope of spring.
As an essential oils distributor I have found oil scents not only bring healing to our emotions but also physical healing to the body. Citrus and lavender essential oils are two of my favorites. The citrus blend of essential oils brings uplifting and stress-reducing properties, which brings peace and joy to the heart and mind. Orange scent can bring emotional support to help one overcome depressions or feelings of sadness.
Lavender, another joyfully calming scent, has been used medicinally by the French for thousands of years for everything from acne to insomnia. A few drops of lavender essential oil can be used as a soothing and calming agent for babies and mommas alike just by adding few drop in bath of warm water. It’s one of those universal oils that can be used for too many ailments to mention. “If in doubt, use lavender,” it’s said. There are many essential oils, all with specific scents, for all ailments to the body and mind. To name a few with their healing properties: Peppermint is purifying and stimulating to one’s mind. It may help in memory and aid in mental performance. It’s also a great aid for stomach issues. Lemon is used for its inducement of physical energy. Ylang Ylang can be of help to sexual energy and help with relationships. Clary Sage has anxiety- and depression-relieving properties.
As I have grown older I have noticed that the sense of smell isn’t as strong as when I was young, and the sense of taste, which is directly linked to our sense of smell, also is declining. Have you ever tasted something and thought, “Did they change the formula, or are they making it with a different recipe?” No, with aging all of our senses start to decline, but the memory still lingers. Essential oils and their scents can help with the declining senses due to aging. Scents have implanted memories throughout our lifetime. We remember, and as long as I can “remember,” life and all its glorious scents and senses will live on.
Ruth, besides being a mother of three, grandmother of 12 and an artist, sells essential oils. Her primary focus is beauty and health through her photography, painting and oils. She resides in Alaska with her husband of 45 years. For more information or interests in Ruth’s oils, photos or paintings, email her at ramcclain50@hotmail, visit her Facebook page at Ruth McClain Photography and Paintings or view her photography galleries at www.pbase.com/ramclain50.