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Physiology of Aromas By Anne Hall Taken from The Aromatic Thymes, Vol 4, #1 Essential oils hold the presence of the unique personality of the plants from which they have been extracted. The chemical composition and memory pattern, or DNA, of the individual oil is unique to its growing condition. Each individual plant has resolved its conflict and endured the evolutionary process to be able to survive the environment in which it has chosen to grow. The oils carry these lessons in their genetic blueprint just as people do. Essential oils are carefully extracted from various physical parts of a plant. Depending on the plant, these oils can come from the roots, trunk, bark, stems, leaves, seeds, fruit or flower of the plant. These oils undulate at a high vibration of magnetic polarity powerfully impacting the physical etheric interface of the human energy system. As the essential oils evaporate, releasing their odor molecules and inherent vibration into the air, they travel through our olfactory system to the hypothalmus gland in the center of the brain. This, in turn, sends the electrical vibration of these oils to the human trunk stems and roots. These molecules of pure oils also carry oxygen to the cells and encourage physical changes throughout the human body. The olfactory receptors are located at the roof of the nasal cavity. These sensors, about the size of a dime, are true bipolar sensory neurons unlike most receptors. Most tracts to and from the cortical areas of the brain cross sensory and motor neurons to the opposite side. For instance, the right eye impresses the left brain. Through olfactory, the things that we smell through the right nostril affect the compartments on the right side of the brain and vice versa. Odors stimulate the olfactory cilia to fire electrochemical impulses through primary sensory neurons to the temporal and frontal cortices of the cerebral hemispheres in our brain and activate its related centers, the hypothalmus, pituitary, thalamus and pineal glands. Think of this as a command center for chemicalization in our systems. The hypothalamus, located at the top of the brain stem, greatly influences endocrine glands and a number of metabolic functions. It maintains connections with the frontal and temporal cortices, limbic system, midbrain and lower brainstem. The hypothalamus affects the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, secretory activity, integration of autonomic reflexes and emotional reactions. This not only gives the body direction of the chemical formulas to release for the job that each cell has to perform at the moment but it is also the fear center of the emotions. Primal drives like eating, regulating body temperature, reflexive and skilled movement are influenced by the impulses of this gland. Cortical mapping by electrostimulation and pathology show the influence of olfaction and smell in the cortical area of the brain. This cortex is the storage area of experience. It exchanges impulses with other areas and excites intellectual functions. Observation, recognition, language and the ability to develop and carry out ideas comes from the parietal lobe. This area becomes aware of sensations and is able to discriminate between them. Emotional behavior, including anger, hostility and self-preservation, is driven by the temporal lobe, which is also concerned with language and olfactory input. The posterior lobe has no secretory cells of its own and depends on the secretory neurons in the centers of the hypothalamus to release oxytocin and hormones into circulation. Several of the essential oils are adaptogens. They act as natural balancers and affect the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system and blood pressure among other reactions on a physical level. Impulses are conducted down the corticalspinal tract directly to the motor neurons of the cranial/spinal nerves. Due to the dextrorotatory and lavorotatroy (clockwise and counterclockwise) characteristics, essential oils can play an important part in the body’s electromagnetic fields to stimulate the natural healing process. Inhalations of specific blends brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, assists efficient disposal of carbon dioxide and other waste products, increases blood flow, strengthens the immune system and stimulates all parts of the brain. A particular odor or smell can trigger memory patterns that we may need to see from a different perspective. The subtle frequency of an essential oil can penetrate areas that have been ‘fixed’ within us and create an opening to understanding that we did not have before. This allows us the choice to change. The change in the neuron-firing pattern of the brain from this experience can anchor a more positive view of the past and change how we react to the same situation in the future. With proper combining and continual use of the proper blends, we can make these change a permanent feature of our personality. The inhalation of essential oils activates particular brain patterns in the mind/body connection. Common essential oils that are used for this purpose are: Lavandula augustifolia (lavender) and anthemis nobilis (chamomile) and priganum marjorana (marjoram) activate the raphe nucleus in the back brain, releasing serotonin, and has a sedative affect on hypertension, anxiety, stress, insomnia, anger and irritability. Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) and juniperus communis (juniper) affect the locus ceruleus in the lower back brain releasing noradrenaline, which is invigorating, wakes us up, stimulates poor memory, and relieves mental fatigue helping with problems of boredom and lethargy. Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) stimulates the thalamus gland releasing enkephalins and natural painkillers. This triggers an euphoric feeling of well-being that combats depression, moodiness and lack of confidence. Mentha piperita (peppermint) triggers the amagdala and hippocampus or memory centers of the brain releasing various neurochemicals that fight mental fatigue and difficulty in concentrating, and affect emotional response. Citrus bergamia (bergamot) and pelargonium gravolens (geranium) stimulate the hypothalamus at the top of the brain stem, which is the regulator and message relay station, to release various neurochemicals balancing mind and body. Canaga odorata (ylang ylang) acts on the pituitary, which governs adrenals, thyroid and sexual glands. The release of endorphins can induce euphoria impacting emotional coldness, shyness, frustration and physical pain. Many research groups are bringing very important information to light for our healing and evolution. Researchers can monitor how the blood supply is affected by emotional toxins released under adverse pressure or ‘stress’. The study of psychoneuroimmunology is a science of stress-related disease. Blood samples taken at varying stages of a healing session using aromas can chart the changes in our physical system. Kirlian photography can show in color, the changes in the energy field emanated from a person using aromas. Smell is one of the most powerful perceptions in the survival mode. This sense organ was fully developed at the time of our birth, and the recognition of the bond between mother and infant through odor is the main initial survival factor in the animal kingdom. This is just one example of our dependence on the aromas around us. By incorporating aromas as silent partners in our work, as therapists, we are privilege to their messages and instructions.  |