Essential Oils and Smell

 

 

We have heard the old adage, "stop and smell the roses." There is actually scientific evidence that smelling rose oil can turn off the fear response happening in your body. Credit is given to Nobel Prize researcher named Linda Buck. Her research centered around specific olfactory cells (connected to the sense of smell) in the nervous system and the body's response.

Jodie Cohen, in her book, Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body, says, 

    "The cells of the olfactory epithelium are in fact brain cells. This olfactory membrane is the only place in your body where your central nervous system is exposed and is in direct contact with the environment."

There are simple ways to use smell with an essential oil. 

• One way is to open the bottle and hold it a few inches below the nose and inhale deeply. 

• You can also place a drop of the oil in your hands, rub them together and then inhale the scent on your hands. 

• You can diffuse the oils into the air.

• You could also place a few drops on a cotton ball near your bed or on your pillowcase and get the benefit of the oil.

Smelling an essential oil has worked well for me as my skin is sensitive to the oils and often results in a rash especially when placing the oils behind my ears to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Everyone's body reacts differently to oils, so having the scientific study behind the benefit of smell and healing is incredibly valuable.