Aromas were essential to our ancestors, who needed to identify edible or poisonous plants, the potential danger of a predator or prey, and pheromones to attract a mate. Even today, before taking the first bite, we smell food to assess if it’s in good condition. Our nose alerts us to possible threats like smoke, gas or spoiled food.
According to numerous studies, smell is the sense most directly connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain related to emotions, memories and instinctive behaviors. This explains why certain smells evoke emotional responses and can instantly alter our mood. The scent of a perfume can take us to the past, while a foul odor instinctively awakens rejection. The power of smell goes beyond the conscious.
From ancient Greece, philosophers like Aristotle already speculated about the relationship between smells and mood. Aristotle believed that the sense of smell, through aromatic vapors called “odors,” could deeply influence the psyche and human behavior.
The Greeks observed that different fragrances and aromas provoked psychoactive effects. For example, the floral scent of orange blossom was used to relieve anxiety, while the spicy aroma of cinnamon was believed to enhance memory and concentration.
Precisely, the Greek physician Hippocrates, considered the father of Western medicine, prepared aromatic remedies by mixing flowers, herbs and essential oils to treat various ailments. It was Hippocrates who coined the term “aromatherapy” to refer to the therapeutic use of medicinal fragrances.
Hippocrates’ successors like Galen also described the healing properties of aromatic plants such as saffron, oregano, mint and sage. And aromatic herbalism expanded throughout Greece and later the entire Roman Empire.
But the real boom in aromatherapy came years later, in the 20th century, when ancient knowledge about the curative powers of aromas was revived.
Various current scientific studies, based on controlled clinical trials, have demonstrated beneficial effects of aromas on health. For example:
A University of Miami study evaluated the effect of lavender essential oil on 100 volunteers with insomnia. They were made to smell a pad with real lavender or a placebo aroma while sleeping. The results showed that those exposed to lavender fell asleep faster, spent more time in REM dream phases, and felt more rested upon waking (Lillehei et al., 2015).
Another research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine analyzed the physiological responses to bergamot aroma in 41 people. They measured heart rate, blood pressure and stress cortisol levels. After inhaling bergamot, they presented significant reductions in these parameters, suggesting a relaxing, analgesic effect (Ndao et al., 2012).
Likewise, in a controlled study, 144 children were exposed to peppermint aroma or placebo while performing cognitive tasks. Researchers found that those in the peppermint group had considerably improved memory and attention performance, thanks to the stimulation of these brain areas (Moss et al., 2008).
These and many other studies demonstrate aromas’ ability to induce psychological and physiological changes that translate into wellbeing, through limbic-olfactory connections in the brain.
Beyond science, the best evidence of aromas’ power lies in our own personal experience. We all have smells and fragrances that comfort us and make us feel good. Let’s consider subtly incorporating aromatherapy into our daily lives, harnessing the proven therapeutic effects of certain essential oils.
We can diffuse oils like lavender, bergamot or mint in air fresheners to enhance sleep quality, reduce stress and maximize mental performance. Even a few minutes of mindful attention smelling a scent we love can shift our mood and boost us. We can also opt for hygiene, cosmetic and cleaning products with natural aromatic ingredients to enhance benefits. The important thing is to surround ourselves with those smells that generate our wellbeing.
When we make our wellbeing a priority, the motivation for positive change arises. Optimizing our aromatic environment is a small but powerful step. And who knows, like the ancients, maybe we’ll recover our innate intuition about the fragrances we need at each moment to enhance health, emotions and quality of life. Let’s aroma ourselves to wellness!
