Like the perfume industry, which has diverged from the foundational principles of its ancestral beginnings, fragrance is often used throughout our lives without regard to the associations formulated by the ancient aromatherapy artisans. We look less toward the meanings of certain fragrances and less toward the associations ascribed to each scent by the old scientists and more toward pleasantry.
Aromatherapy: Perfumery
The art of the perfumer, while rooted in antiquity, is full of modern innovations. The old astrological and magickal associations of scent may still be a subtle foundation for the end products that emerge from the perfumer’s laboratory. More than likely, however, it is the marketing department of the fragrance vendor that carries on the ancient traditions of the magickal art of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy:Elemental Associations
Amber – Earth
Ambergris – Water
Apple – Water
Bay – Fire
Benzoin – Fire
Bergamot – Air/Fire
Camphor – Water
Carnation – Air/Fire
Cedarwood – Air/Earth
Cinnamon – Fire
Aromatherapy: Planetary Associations
Amber -Jupiter
Ambergris -Venus
Apple -Neptune/Venus
Bay -Sun
Benzoin -Sun/Mercury
Bergamot -Sun
Camphor -Moon
Carnation -Venus/Sun
Cedarwood -Jupiter/Uranus
Cinnamon -Sun
Civet -Venus
Aromatherapy:Therapeutic Properties
Ambergris – Aphrodisiac properties
Apple – Antidepressant, currently being investigated as an aid in weight loss
Bay – Relaxes muscles, useful for sprains, helps aid breathing, improves digestion, helps to relieve insomnia, promotes perspiration
Benzoin – Stress reducer, reduces congestion, aids in breathing, calming
Bergamot – Helps reduce fatigue as a general tonic, reduces stress, aids in nervous disorders
Camphor – Helps to break up congestion, aids breathing, calming
Aromatherapy: Magical Properties
Amber – Healing
Ambergris – Arouse emotion
Apple – Happiness
Bay – Clear sight, energy
Benzoin – Clarity of thought, relief of guilt
Bergamot – Builds seif-esteem
Camphor – Calming, shock, awakens past memories
Carnation – Health, energy
Cedarwood – Cleansing, clears confusion
Aromatherapy:Gender Associations
Amber – Female
Ambergris – Female
Apple – Female
Bay – Male
Benzoin – Male
Bergamot – Male
Camphor – Female
Carnation – Female
Cedarwood – Male
Cinnamon – Male
Civet – Female
Aromatherapy: Irritant Oils in Aromatherapy
While there are many oils that may be irritating to more highly sensitive individuals, some are almost universally and to a greater degree likely to cause discomfort. These are marked with a (!) in the text to accentuate that the greatest amount of caution should be exercised.
Continue reading Aromatherapy: Irritant Oils in Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy: Magical Benefits
Business – hyacinth, jasmine, patchouli
Cleansing – cedarwood, clove, lemon, lime, pine
Confidence – benzoin, bergamot, honeysuckle, patchouli, vanilla
Courage – cinnamon, galangal
Court Cases – hyacinth, jasmine, oakmoss, patchouli
Energy – bay, carnation, cinnamon, elderberry, galangal, orange
Happiness – apple, honeysuckle, lime
Healing – amber, lemon, myrrh, pine, rosemary, wintergreen
Insight – bay, Lily of the Valley, peppermint, violet, ylang ylang
Joy – eucalyptus, elderberry, orange, strawberry
Aromatherapy: Therapeutic References
Analgesic – bergamot, camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rosemary
Antidepressant – bergamot, camphor, elderberry, jasmine, lavender, orange, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang
Antiseptic – bergamot, eucalyptus, juniper, pine
Antispasmodic – bergamot, camphor, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper, lavender, orange, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, wintergreen
Antitoxin – juniper, lavender
Aphrodisiac – civet, jasmine, juniper, magnolia, muguet, musk, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang