Smells So Good
Lovelys, I love to smell good and everything else around me to smell good too! I like all the lotions and potions but so much of it is filled with junk. *Sigh* According to The Guardian, roughly 4,000 chemicals are used to scent products. Here is the real kicker…fragrance formulations don’t have to be printed on the labels because they are considered “trade secrets.” One scent could have up to 300 distinct chemicals.
The word “fragrance” just refers to any substance, whether it is natural or not. 80-90% of raw materials used in fragrances are synthetics according to Women's Voices For The Earth. Women are also more likely to experience adverse health effects from exposure to fragrance. Women's Voice For Eath states, “…women are more vulnerable to the potential hormone-disrupting effects of fragrance ingredients, which can affect fertility and pregnancy. Exposures to even small levels of toxic fragrance chemicals during pregnancy may pose lifelong health impacts on our children.”
Terrible! We need to take care of ourselves because one thing is for sure, the fragrance industry sure isn’t! Essential oils are the best alternative. They are like little bottled angel tears. They are a safe and healthy way to sprinkle smell goods all over the place and have life smelling heavenly. Essential oils are also wonderful on the skin, our largest organ. Essential oils are known to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, nausea, and insomnia to name just a few! In Chinese Medicine, essential oils are used for enhanced nobility, improved sense of internal beauty and self-esteem as well as healing and relaxation.
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defines aromatherapy as “the therapeutic aromatherapy application or the medicinal use of aromatic substances for holistic healing.” Peppermint oil has done wonders for my gut issues…I will elaborate more at a later time! Essential oils are plant extracts that are steamed or pressed. This process creates mesmerizing fragrances. According to Hopkins Medicine, when the scent molecules are inhaled, they travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain impacting the amygdala, emotional center for the brain. No wonder certain smells like lavender, jasmine & rose have me daydreaming no matter the time of day.
When selecting your beautiful potions, stray away from labels such as “fragrance oils” or “perfume oils.” Ladies, this means they are made by combining essential oils with chemicals…yuck! Look for the oils in their purest forms with no fillers so that you can reap all the benefits. Organic is always best because the oils are derived from plants and we don't want any pesticide residue.
For my pregnant mamas, please note that some essential oils are not safe to use during certain trimesters (especially the first trimester) or the entire pregnancy. Parents.com has a full list of what oils are safe and what to avoid. Limit massage to 2% dilution.
Essenial Oils:
Anxiety - Lavender, Neroli, Rose & Sandalwood
Stress - Bergamot, Chamomile & Lemongrass
Headaches - Ylang-Yland, Lemon & Peppermint
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work
https://monq.com/eo/essential-oil-guide/use-traditional-chinese-medicine/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a20707175/organic-vs-conventional-essential-oils/
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/natural-beauty/aromatherapy/8-essential-oils-anxiety-try/
http://fragrancematerialsafetyresource.elsevier.com/sites/default/files/AB-2-Bickers-Safety.pdf
https://www.womensvoices.org/fragrance-ingredients/whats-that-smell/whats-that-smell-fact-sheet/