Aromatherapy
Imagine the scent of fresh-roasted coffee seeping from the kitchen, a bouquet of roses lifted to your nose, or the smell of spring rain as you step outside at dawn. Pleasant scents can lift our mood, spark memories, and improve our cognition, while unpleasant ones can cloud our minds or make us sick. Why? Because there is a direct link between our sense of smell and a part of the brain called the limbic system—the structure of basic instincts that sparks our emotions and memories.
Use aromas to invoke states of well-being of a particular emotional state is known as neuroassociative conditioning, a technique that can be used to increase our bodies healing response and activate our in our pharmacy. For example, if each time we sit to meditate, we use a sandalwood fragrance, we will soon learn to associate the feeling of relaxation with the aroma at other times simply smelly in the fragrance will trigger a sense of quiet, relaxation. (BTW that is the inscence I burn in the M8 studio!)
In order to benefit from the healing effects of aromatherapy, identify an aroma that you are especially fond of and deeply inhale the essence whenever you are feeling relaxed, at peace, or are having a particularly good day. Gradually your body will associate the pleasurable feelings with the use of the aroma before just the smell of the essence will evoke a heightened state of well-being.
If you’re interested in experimenting with aromatherapy on your own, remember that the scents that appeal to you are probably good for you.Certain fragrances can be used to pacify imbalances in the mind and body. Restlessness, anxiety, cramps, backache, heart, palpitations and anxiety are imbalances of the air principal and may be relieved with floral, fruity, warm, sweet and sour smells found in basil, orange vanilla, and geranium. Fire disorders like anger, impatience jealousy, or hyper acidity can be soothed to a sweet and cooling fragrances like sandalwood Rose and Jazmin. Disorders of the earth principal usually manifest as laziness, drowsiness, or retention of fat and fluid, and can be stimulated back into balance with the use of spicy heating smells like eucalyptus, musk, camper, juniper, or clove.
Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways senses are formulated to be applied directly to the skin like a perfume, but others are intended to be diffused in the air fill in your home and office with pleasing smells, will help to balance your physiology, and may even have a positive influence on your visitors
MOOD OILS
Here are a few sample recipes you can try at home. Massage one of the mixtures on your pulse or add it to any ayurvedic treatment that calls for essential oil. You can also omit the oil base and put a mixture into an aromatherapy diffuser or a hot bath.
Calming and warming (relieves anxiety; balances vata) 3 drops each neroli & lemon + 2 drops each jasmine & sandalwood + 1 drop vanilla + 1 oz. pure jojoba oil base
Calming and cooling (relieves anger; balances pitta) 5 drops each sandalwood & vetiver + 1 drop jasmine + 1 oz. pure jojoba oil base
Stimulating (relieves depression; balances kapha) 4 drops bergamot + 3 drops each lavendar & basil + 1 oz. pure jojoba oil base
Sedating (relieves insomnia; balances vata & pitta) 6 drops rose + 2 drops each jasmine & chamomile + 1 oz. pure jojoba oil base
Grounding and strengthening (relieves fear; balances vata) 4 drops patchouli + 2 drops each sandalwood & cardamom + 1 oz. pure jojoba oil base —Pratima Raichur, Ayurvedic Beauty Care
