The cultural environment and aromas

What you adore, another may hate

The scents usually go linked to memories and feelings, and for that reason they can be interpreted in very diverse ways. A person can love the aroma of the jasmine while to another it causes them nauseas. To one the scent of lavender can remind you of your dear grandmother, and to another it is possible that it makes him think of his detestable mother-in-law.

The cultural environment also plays a very important part when evaluating the scents: the aromas of the East can seem like either exotic or luscious so to a European they will wake up feelings and sensations very different than to those of an oriental. Certainly, it is not worthwhile to discuss about what is good and what is bad. If you begin to treat someone using essential oils, always begin offering him one type of aroma. Always give him an aroma that is pleasing to him, although maybe it is an aroma that is terrible to you.

These differences in the appreciation of a certain aroma can end up becoming a problem if you want to use a vaporizing lamp in the office or in a hospital. The best thing is that you leave your co-workers, or if you are sharing a room, to participate in the choice of the aroma to use. Citric or resinous wood scents are usually liked almost by everyone, but be careful with the doses you use.

The aromas and traditions

Although throughout humanity's history the sense of smell has been losing its importance progressively like to have a "sense for survival", the aromas were part of our culture during millenniums the same as music, dance and painting. The aromatic plants and the essences were used in old China, in India, Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome for religious and ritualistic ceremonies, as well as with healing, cosmetic purposes or as an air freshener.

By the Middle Ages there already existed a wide knowledge about the elaboration of essential oils and their diverse applications, but the men and women that were devoted to these tools suffered an implacable ecclesiastical persecution and their science practically disappeared with them.

In the XVII century the essential oils were rediscovered for their application in perfumery, but it was necessary to wait until the XX century so that their healing properties could again be appreciated. And only in the last years has the desire to learn of aromas begun to take the form of rigorous scientific study.

Now that music, dance and images are already part of our daily life, we have come to the realization that we also need to accept and apply the art of using aromas.