Smell is one of the five senses and is considered the most powerful. You would have experienced a situation where a scent would have triggered past memories. Such is the power and mystery of scents.
Some scents are enthralling, while others disgust us. Even people in remote parts of the world believe the sense of smell is related to their spirit. It is also known that animals have a strong sense of smell and use them effectively.
The importance of the sense of smell was understood more during the Covid pandemic because many people who were infected lost their sense of smell for weeks. That is when they understood the importance of this sense. That has made people wonder how to regain sense of smell.
In this article, we will share with you all you want about smell and how you can use the science of scents to regain your sense of smell.
Why smell is the most powerful sense?
The way the sense of smell works makes smell the most powerful sense. Odour molecules move through the air and bind to receptor proteins located in the sensory neurons of the nose. This sends a signal to the brain where the processing takes place. It is the piriform cortex of the brain that actually processes the smell.
The reason why sense is powerful is that it can trigger memories. Scents move to the olfactory bulb in the brain, which is connected to the hippocampus and amygdala. These areas control memories, which is why a smell can trigger a memory.
Mysterious symptoms regarding scents that modern people encounter
Initially, when the Covid pandemic began, the main symptoms were fever, cough, and breathing problems. Later on, different symptoms came to light. A common symptom people faced was loss of smell and loss of taste.
Even those who did not have other symptoms experienced loss of smell (anosmia). For some, the sense of smell was restored after a few days. And others, the problem persisted for many months. Many people struggled and looked for different ways to revive their sense of smell.
What are phantom smells and how to get rid of phantom smells?
Phantom smells or phantosmia is a condition where people smell different kinds of scents that others don’t. These are phantom smells that don’t exist. Their nose or olfactory sense is playing a trick on them. It is also referred to as an olfactory hallucination.
Some people experience pleasant smells, while many get foul odours ranging from burnt to rotten smells. Phantom smells can be a severe problem and lead to frustration since the person knows that such a smell does not exist.
COVID-19 infection is believed to cause phantom smells in some people. A respiratory infection or blocked sinuses are also possible causes of phantom smells. It is not something to be taken lightly because phantom smells could be a sign of something serious.
If a person is smelling something that doesn’t exist, the problem could be in the brain, where smell processing occurs. It could be a relatively harmless cyst. It could also be a tumour that spells danger. Injuries to the head or seizures can also cause phantosmia.
You may need to meet a specialist who may be an otolaryngologist (specialising in ear, nose, and throat problems) or a neurologist (who deals with brain issues). They would first try to find the cause of the problem. The cause would then be treated.
Medications can be given to treat the condition. If that doesn’t work, then surgery is the only option available. In case it is due to Covid, then the damaged nerves need to grow back. This can take weeks or even months.
Loss of smell and how to bring back the sense of smell with essential oils?
People who lose their sense of smell due to Covid would need a lot of time to recover. Olfactory training can train the nose to recognise scents. Nasal sprays or Omega-3 supplements could be required for some people.
One of the best ways to bring back sense of smell is to use essential oils. Using a natural essential oil would help slowly recover the sense of smell. Scientific studies have shown inhaling oils in a sequence can help train the nose and brain to recognise these scents.
1. Citrus essential oils
Citrus essential oil is oil obtained from the citrus plant. It could be orange oil, lemon oil, bergamot oil, or lemongrass oil. Let’s look at each of these oils and the benefits they offer.
- Orange oil is obtained from the rind of the orange fruit. Orange oil can be helpful in reducing anxiety. Inhaling this oil can be useful for pain relief.
- Lemongrass oil is a citrus oil and is known to be very helpful in reducing anxiety and stress levels. The oil is even helpful for people who are suffering from depression. A study showed that lemongrass oil could help control blood sugar levels.
- Lemon oil is extracted from lemon peels. Like all citrus oils, it helps reduce pain and anxiety. The oil can be very helpful in managing symptoms of nausea.
- Bergamot oil is obtained from the bergamot orange fruit. It has a strong fruity scent. Besides reducing anxiety, it also helps improve a person’s mood. It is believed it can help in managing blood pressure levels.
2. Rose oil
Rose oil is obtained by distilling rose flowers. There are many therapeutic benefits available when rose oil is diffused. They include:
- It helps to reduce pain significantly since it is believed to stimulate the production of the ‘feels good’ hormone.
- Rose oil can be very helpful in reducing anxiety thanks to the relaxing effect it produces. Inhaling the scent can help in creating a calming effect.
- A study showed that inhaling rose oil can help enhance sex drive in both men and women.
- A study done on women suffering from post-pregnancy depression benefitted significantly from inhaling rose oil.
3. Eucalyptus essential oils
The oil derived from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree is rich in therapeutic benefits.
- Inhaling eucalyptus oil can be very helpful in reducing symptoms of a cold or a blocked nose.
- People with allergic asthma would find eucalyptus oil soothing and helpful in reducing symptoms.
- It is best used by adding a few drops to boiling water.
A point to note is some people are allergic to the eucalyptus smell, and they should avoid using the oil.
4. Vanilla oils
There is an interesting fact about vanilla. The smell resembles that of breast milk, which is why humans love vanilla. The oil is extracted from vanilla pods and has many uses.
- Vanilla is known for its ability to uplift mood. If you are feeling low-spirited, inhaling vanilla can help you feel better.
- This ability of vanilla makes it useful for people suffering from anxiety and depression symptoms.
- The calming effect produced can even help in managing blood pressure levels. It can also help in relieving insomnia.
5. Clove oils
Clove is a commonly used spice, and its essential oil has many benefits. The oil can be diffused using a product like an aroma diffuser with reed sticks. It can even be diluted with water and used as a spray.
- Inhaling clove oil can be very helpful in reducing symptoms of cold and cough.
- The oil has a soothing effect and can help improve concentration.
- Clove oil is very helpful during the allergy/flu season and can be diffused in the air.
- It also helps in improving mental energy.
6. Mint – peppermint essential oils
Peppermint oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It has a strong aroma that can be very helpful.
- Inhaling peppermint can provide an energy boost. When used early in the morning, it can help you stay energised. This is why it is a must in home offices.
- It can be helpful in managing cold as it clears blocked nose and blocked sinuses.
- Peppermint helps in reducing anxiety and stress levels due to its calming effect.
- It is believed to be helpful in improving circulation.
- If you are suffering from a headache, inhaling this scent can help you get relief.
- It uplifts your mood and is useful when working out.
7. Ground coffee
A fascinating therapeutic effect is offered by ground coffee. Inhaling the aroma of coffee can provide many benefits. These include:
- Just as coffee is energising, inhaling the aroma can help make you more alert.
- It is believed that regular inhalation of coffee can improve memory and concentration.
- Inhalation can provide an energy boost and is an excellent option to use in a home office or a study room.
Aromatherapy science of scents - Fun Facts 1/2
You must have heard the term aromatherapy. It refers to the science of scents where scents are used as a part of therapy to help people manage their health conditions better. Before getting into aromatherapy, we need to understand how we perceive smells.
Smells are linked to our emotions and memories. Every individual has pheromones that define our bodily scents. Our body odour plays a role in being attracted to a mate. It also plays a significant role in mother-baby bonding.
Scents can play a role in improving health. You can get therapeutic benefits from inhaling the scents from essential oils. This is known as aromatherapy. The scent molecules from the essential oil reach the amygdala, which is the emotional centre of the brain.
This why scents can affect our emotions and make us calm down and feel relaxed. Depending on the oil that you use, there are various therapeutic benefits you can experience.
What your smell says about you? - Fun Facts 2/2
When you meet someone, your nose automatically tries to detect their odour. Each individual would have a bodily odour resulting from their sweat along with fragrances or any product they use. When someone meets you, they can also smell you. So, you may wonder what your smell says about you.
Interestingly, the sweat that emerges from your skin pores has no odour. Bacteria on the skin start to feed on the sweat and the result is the smell. Now you know how dogs can recognise a person based on smell.
It goes without saying that you would want to smell good. This will help people perceive you better and associate you with a pleasant smell. Here are some useful tips that would help you smell good all day long.
- Apply your fragrance products to pulse points and not directly to the skin. Wrists, small of the back, back of your neck, and crooks of your elbow are pulse points.
- Using a roll-on is more effective than a spray.
- Spray some scent on your hairbrush before brushing your hair.
- Use a scented lotion instead of a plain moisturiser.
- Ensure you shower at least once a day using a body wash.
- If you have excess sweating, use a deodorant.
- Add essential oils of your choice while washing clothes so they smell good.
- Drink plenty of water, brush twice a day, and floss daily to keep your mouth smelling good. Fresh mint leaves act as a natural breath freshener.
Conclusion
To summarise, sense of smell is one of the most important senses for humans, and it has a great impact in various ways. If you have previously experienced the symptoms of covid-19, try using essential oils to regain your sense of smell if you have lost it. Using essential oils also helps you get the powerful benefits of aromatherapy. Alternatively, Shiora reed diffuser Singapore products will help you fill your home with the scent of essential oils.
The reed diffuser you buy is available with different essential oils. It is easy to use and offers many therapeutic effects. Apart from using it yourself, you can even use it as unique Singapore gifts for friends and loved ones.
Visit Shiora's website today to order Singapore gifts and get the best quality essential oils and diffusers delivered to your home. Start using the products and gift them, so you and your loved ones benefit from the power of scents.
