Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

The VMO appears to specialize in detecting pheromones without people’s conscious

awareness. In other words, people do not “smell” pheromones in the same way they

smell freshly baked apple pies or essential oils. The scent, however, is registered at

some brain level and people respond to it emotionally and/or physically. Many aro-

matherapeutic compounds are thought to stimulate the VMO.

Olfactory stimulation can trigger negative responses such as intense fear or panic or

positive feelings with increased release of endorphins and neurotransmitter (see

Table 9.3). Odors stimulate the pituitary gland and hypothalamus and thus impact

the production of hormones that control appetite, insulin production, body tempera-

ture, metabolism, stress levels, and sex drive. Unlike vision and hearing, the sense of

smell is fully functional at birth. Newborns can recognize their mothers by smell,

and this sensory response is an important part of bonding. In adult relationships,

the sense of smell has a significant role in sensual and sexual attraction.

Table 9.3 Blending Oils According to Effect

Desired Effect Appropriate Oils

Soothing Chamomile

Uplifting Black pepper, coriander, jasmine, juniper, eucalyptus,

peppermint, tea tree

Balancing Cypress, lavender

Uplifting and Soothing Basil, bergamot, frankincense, ginger, neroli, orange,

patchouli, sandalwood

Uplifting and Stimulating Cedarwood, lemon, lemon grass, myrrh, pine, rose, rose-

mary, ylang ylang

Uplifting and Balancing Clary sage, geranium

Examples of Blends

Basil, lavender

Bergamot, cypress, jasmine

Chamomile, lavender

Clary sage, lavender, sandalwood

Eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, bergamot

Geranium, bergamot, lemon, lavender

Ginger, lavender, orange, neroli

Jasmine, rose, lemon, black pepper

Juniper, bergamot, geranium, frankincense

120 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE