Of Aromatherapy
I never actually thought that I would be writing about aromatherapy. From this old codger's perception it's a relatively new age thing, but the idea that aromas, good or bad, has been around for years For example, the smell of a hospital ward with its hand cleaners and antiseptic is very potent. You know exactly where you are and what sort of work goes on here. My rush to get from Parkrun to the shower has nothing to do with any time restraints; It's got a lot to do with some personal odours. The smell of freshly baked bread is a delicious fragrance and you can probably recall some of your favourite meals just by remembering the smell of the meal when it came to your table at your favourite dining establishment. These fragrances can bring back memories, both sad and glad. They can also invite anticipation for something that is about to happen. The smell of incense from outside the church just as the service is about the start. The wine in the ‘nose of the wine’ as it swirls in the glass and the aroma of that special curry as you sit down at the table. Indeed there is a whole cosmetic/bubble bath/cologne market built on the premise that we have a sense of smell. This business flourishes because it knows that we want to mask some of our disappointing odours and hope to attract others if we wear the right aftershave or perfume. We have a God-given sense of smell for a good reason. We are to relish it and revel in it and delight in it. We are a sensuous and sensual people and aromatherapy is right to remind us of this exciting fact.