The Essentials of Scent - How to Smell Good Naturally, Without Harsh Chemicals

They say that the sense of smell is our most powerful sense. That certain scents can remind us of people, or places, from our past. Our noses can let us know who, biologically speaking, is a good person to partner with, and who is not. It lets us know that the milk is spoiled, or that the pot roast is almost done. As humans, we spend a lot of time trying to smell good. We use harsh deodorants, and lotions and perfumes with more chemicals than scent. Everyday in the news, there's another story about a new link between some chemical, and cancer. Or there's a link between using anti-persperant and Alzheimer's.

So how do we reconcile this need for olfactory perfection, with the current chemical backlash? Easy! Essential Oils! Essential oils are basically extracts of scents found in nature. Everything from peppermint to ginger, lemongrass to sage, rose to vanilla, there's an essential oil for everyone. The catch, is finding yours. Because of the lack of chemicals, when you use essential oils for personal fragrance, those oils react with the natural oils of your body. So, an oil that smells one way in the tester vial, may smell totally different on your skin.

Really spend some time smelling the various oils your local shop has to offer. Some oils might smell good on the first whiff, but lose their appeal on the fourth. Some oils might seem really strong when you uncap the vial, but then calm down after some exposure to air. Once you've selected the fragrance(s) that you enjoy, check to see what sort of carrier oils the store offers. A carrier oil is an unscented oil (jojoba or grape seed work well) that you use to dilute the essential oil in, for application. Most essential oils are too strong to be applied directly to the skin, so that's why you need a carrier oil.

For each scent that you've selected, you'll want to take one day, and wear it around, like you've been wearing your favorite perfume. Dilute a few drops of your scented oil into your carrier oil. Then, apply that to your neck, wrists, and inner elbows. Pay attention to the way the scent makes you feel. Citrus and mint oils tend to energize, vanilla and lavender tend to calm. So if you're having a hectic day, even if you're wearing your citrus oil, you can put a drop of lavender or vanilla on a tissue, and let that scent calm you down, before you go on about your business.

Just because they are natural, however, doesn't mean they're non-toxic, or that all oils are safe for all people. You should consult a certified aroma therapist if you are pregnant, or nursing, or if you have allergies, or health issues. Certain oils are used therapeutically, for instance, Rosemary oil is a stimulant, and shouldn't be used by people with high blood pressure. But, it can be used in dilute form, as a leave on hair treatment, because it stimulates follicle growth. So before you start on any sort of oil regimen, make sure that the oils you've chosen are safe for you, and any tiny tots you may have around.

Here's a short list of some oils, and the things they can be used for outside of smelling good.

Rosemary Oil-Hair follicle stimulant, anti itch. Has *slight* antibacterial properties.
Tea Tree Oil-Used for dandruff, has anti-bacterial properties.
Citrus Oils (orange, grapefruit, etc) Invigorating, can be used in homemade cleansers to cut grease.
Eucalyptus Oil-Can be used in place of vapor chest rubs. Also helpful in cream applications (dilute in lotion) for muscle aches and pains.
Lavender Oil-Can be used to calm a fussy baby, just dab a drop on a bib, and let the baby breathe in the calming scent
Peppermint Oil-A powerful deodorizer, can also be diluted in rubbing alcohol and sprayed as a pest/insect repellent.

As you can see, essential oils can not only help you smell fabulous safely, they can also serve a number of purposes in your home. Happy Sniffing!