In fact, there's increasing excitement in the scientific community about the power of our sense of smell, and what consequences this may have for psychological and physiological health. Though much of the research is in its infancy, various studies have shown that scents like peppermint, vanilla and coffee may have therapeutic effects.
— From Smell yourself well at The Independent, with many thanks to Bela for the link!
Wow! That article was very poorly researched and as an aromatherapist, I found it insulting and offensive in the extreme. There is TONS of rigorous scientific research proving the efficacy of using essential oils in various ways for healing. There is nothing quack about it! The author was obviously too lazy and/or too ignorant to check it out.
These sorts of pieces are rarely well researched.
Well, I can say that I find a coffee with a vanilla cookie to be extremely therapeutic
LOL! On a lighter note, so do i.
Me too!
I liked the article. Maybe a combination of linalool + vanillin is the key to a happy life if sniffed daily?
I did think the one medical doctor’s attitude was fairly dismissive, when he’s basically researching aromatherapy himself. I think as with all kinds of therapies, it depends on the practitioner — potential for quackery exists in many therapeutic disciplines.
Rapple: I could research this myself, but I’m curious if there’s any governing body, professional schools, or licensing involved with aromatherapy anywhere?
Joe, I find a deep inhalation of Hinoki at regular intervals makes for a happy life.
Oh. That’s why I really need a bottle of Hinoki.
Joe – professional schools, but no licensing in this country. In France for instance, MD’s study aromatherapy for two years in med school, and they actually inject some of the essential oils. A French doctor, Jean Valnet wrote a very important aromatherapy book.
Coffee is therapeutic anyway, and as much as I love to smell the fresh ground, I prefer another method: from the pot to my veins via an i.v., especially before 7a.m.
I do tea, but same thing.
I think Joe is on to something. Last time I read the back of a Shalimar box “linalool” was listed, and as we all know it has vanilla. I spray it on my pillows every night and sleep very well.
My doula used aromatherapy during labour and the birth of my son. She used a combination of lavender, chamomile, and bergamot and gave me scented sachets and heat packs in advance of the big day for me to use and sleep with. I was already comfortable with them so they were something familiar for me to turn to and I really liked it.
How nice!