Personal Blending

What sorts of smells appeal to you? Which essential oils combined together create just that right feeling of relaxation and peace for you? What is your favorite type of perfume? Ask 10 people and you'll probably get 10 different answers.

It has been said that a human is able to distinguish over 10,000 different odor molecules. All of this happens without our having to think about it and we utilize our sense of smell for a multitude of activities for instance smelling a rose can give one great pleasure, while smelling smoke can alert one to danger. Regardless of what we are smelling the mechanics remain the same.

Smell depends on sensory receptors that respond to airborne chemicals. In humans, these chemoreceptors are located in the olfactory epithelium — a patch of tissue about the size of a postage stamp located high in the nasal cavity.

1. Every time we inhale, currents of air swirl up through the nostrils to the top of our noses.
2. Here the inhaled air hits the olfactory epithelium. This is a patch of tissue about the size of a postage stamp and is located at the top of the nasal cavity. The olfactory epithelium is made up of three different kinds of cells: sensory neurons, each of which has a thin, hair-like projection called a cilia; supporting cells and basil cells, which regularly divide to produce a fresh crop of sensory neurons.
3. Specific odors bind to specific olfactory neurons as each receptor has a binding site that is just the right shape for a specific molecule or group of structurally similar molecules. The interaction of the right molecule with the right receptor causes the receptor to change its shape (structural conformation).
4. The olfactory bulb receives this sensory input from the sensory neurons in the olfactory epithelium and in turn passes this information via the olfactory nerve directly into the limbic system of the brain.
5. The limbic system is the oldest part of our brain. Two important parts of the limbic system are triggered by the olfactory nerve impulses, the amygdala and the hippocampus. In addition to the center of smell, it is here that the centers of memory, sexuality, emotional reactions and creativity is found. While the scent is being compared and labeled to scents already known by the individual, pictures and feelings from the past, which could include events, people, places and objects, are associated with the scent information As a result we can react both emotionally and physically through our autonomic nervous system to a scent.

Bearing this in mind it is easy to see how we would all have such different personal preferences.

If you are interested in creating a personal perfume you might find the article I have on my main website Creating a Perfume with Essential Oils and Perfume Recipes helpful. By combining these guidelines with your own personal preferences you can come up with just the right blend for you. Also don't be afraid to change things around a bit or substitute your favorite oils for the ones in the blends.

If you need help in choosing the oils for emotional reasons my E-Book Subtle Aromatherapy might be helpful or if you are looking for recipes to make up fun products Aromatic Gifts for All Seasons and All Ages might have just what you are looking for. You will find links for these as well as the Aromatherapy Courses that we offer under the Links section of this page.