Sacred Scents

*Note: Scents can be harmful as well as helpful. Please, be aware and considerate of your own allergies/sensitivities and those of the people around you/that will also occupy your space. Nothing written here is in lieu of/can replace professional medical advice. Always perform a patch (dilute oils first) or sniff test before using an oil/herb/etc.. Always research an herb/oil or ask a qualified professional before ingesting/using. Not all herbs are safe to ingest, use, burn. Please be safe and responsible.
 
Good or bad, scent can trigger the earliest and deepest memories. How we perceive or react to particular smells can be cultural, but is also influenced by our own emotions and experiences. Scent travels through different parts of our brains to create unique sensory experiences and memories. The olfactory cortex distinguishes one odor from another, the thalamus connects odor messages to higher thought functions, and the neocortex analyzes those odor messages and helps to relate them to other senses and higher brain functions that stimulate conscious thought.
 
Historically, anthropologists speculate, people started burning gums and resins as incense. Eventually people started adding fragrant plants to animal fats and vegetable oils, and between 7000 and 4000 BC olive and sesame oils became popular for this. These plant infused oil concoctions were used for many purposes; both personal and religious. Not only were they used to heal wounds, and protect hair and skin, they were also used to perfume the skin, for massage, and to anoint the body (for ritual and other religious/sacred practices). Frankincense was used a lot in churches to not only cleanse/purify spaces and souls, but the monks also knew of its effectiveness at combating depression. Even then they realized how different scents could affect someone’s mood and emotions.
 
Different scents can affect the body and brain in different ways. Scents like Clary Sage and grapefruit stimulate the thalamus, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang can activate the pituitary gland for endorphin production, and Marjoram can trigger the secretion of serotonin from the  naphe nucleus.  Studies have also shown that Rosemary can increase cognitive performance involving memory and recall speed, Peppermint can help ease headaches, Chamomile reduces stress, and Eucalyptus can help support respiratory health. All these benefits can be had without ingesting or applying oils/herbs directly to the skin.
 
There are many different ways available to utilize aromatherapy for personal and sacred use. Oil diffusers are a common and readily available way to utilize scents. You can purchase ones that use oils diluted in water, or one that has the little reeds that are put into the concentrated oil to disperse the scent into the air. Other popular methods are scented candles, incense, wax burners, and simmer pots. You can use concentrated oils, diluted oils, or fresh or dried plants/flowers/herbs/resins, to create whatever scents you want/need. You can create shower or bath bundles. Even your morning cup of tea/coffee can have healing or ritual applications if you stop and take the time to do it mindfully and with intent.
 
When we use scents to heal, we call this aromatherapy. While this is a healing art all on its own, it is often used in conjunction with other healing modalities like massage, reflexology, Reiki, crystal healing, and is even used sometimes in therapy/counselling, hospice care, and in some clinical settings. You can also use scents to compliment other practices like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breath work. When used with ritual practices, it can set the tone for your ritual, compliment your spell work as a corresponding component, put you into a ritual/meditative/trance mindset (especially if you use the same scent to prepare yourself each time), and, of course, many fragrant herbs/oils are used to cleanse and purify spaces. Oils infused with herbs/oils/resins can also be used to anoint the body (please use caution when doing this and always do a patch test for sensitivities/allergies), dress candles, or consecrate/activate objects, tools, statues, etc..
 
When using herbs/oils for healing purposes, especially when ingesting or directly applying, it is important to use actual herbs or essential oils (the real deal), which is generally not an issue, since most are readily available, and many herbs/oils have more than one property, and there are generally plenty of substitution options as well. The health benefits are in the plant itself. However, if you are looking only to diffuse the scent, sometimes a fragrant oil is a viable option. Especially if you are looking to trigger particular memories, looking for the right scent for meditation or other mind-body work, or a scent that makes you feel a certain way. That said, always be aware of your allergies/sensitivities and those of the people who will occupy that space as well. Please use scents responsibly.
 
If you would like to learn more about aromatherapy for health there are many books on the market. One I would recommend is Aromatherapy A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville and Mindy Green. Many books are also available that provide the metaphysical applications and uses for herbs/oils/resins. The most comprehensive I have found is Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kynes, but plenty of books reference them. If you are looking for practice specific references (if your practice is specifically pagan, Wiccan, Heathen, etc..) there are plenty of available options.
 
As you can see, scents can play an important part in everything from your daily life to your sacred rituals. How do you utilize scent in your practice? Are they an important part of your health or ritual practices? Would you use them more after reading this? I would love to know.