FRAGRANCES

TIMELESS:

Fragrances are timeless and have been in existence across cultures since time immemorial. Fragrances relate to one of our vital 5 senses – the sense of smell.

Smells have been shown to evoke memories that have strong emotional qualities. The sense of smell is critical for the existence of almost all creatures. We humans are able to distinguish over 10,000 different odor molecules. We utilize our sense of smell for a multitude of activities from enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to deciding whom not to sit next to on the bus.

Fragrances are added to give products a scent, to mask odors of other ingredients, and more importantly to influence moods. Fragrance materials may be synthetic, natural, or a combination of both. Using scented products causes exposure to skin, upper airways, and olfactory pathways to the brain and lungs. These are all entry points to the body, causing systemic exposure as well. Fragrance inhalation through the nose goes directly to the brain where its neurological effects can alter blood pressure, pulse and mood, as well as having sedative effects.

TYPES:

Fragrances can be divided into 6 broad types and their sub-types. Understanding the types and our preferences for them gives us an insight into our mind and feelings. Though there are no hard and fast rules for classification of fragrances, a broad categorization can be helpful.

• Citrus: primarily fragrance of lemons, mandarins, bergamot, oranges and grapefruit. Citrus oils impart a unique, tangy, flavorful aroma. Fragrance: Light, Refreshing

• Green: primarily the fresh outdoors. Green fragrances capture the scents of fresh grass, leaves, vines and roots. Fragrance: Sharp, Formal

• Marine: primarily the aromas of the water element like ocean sprays, sea breezes, and the smell of air after a rain or storm. The water notes are more often used as an accent to enliven florals, orientals and woody fragrances. Fragrance: Soft, Fresh, Clean

• Floral: primarily the scent of flowers. It can be the isolated scent of a single flower, or it can be a combination of scents from different flowers forming a floral bouquet. Fragrance: Flowers, Soft

• Oriental: primarily overtones of spicy flowers, opulent flowers, sweet spices, vanilla, musk and notes of incense blended to create either softer or heavier versions of Oriental fragrances. Fragrance: Sensual, Heavy, Strong

• Oriental Woods: primarily composed of Oriental notes combined with heady scents like Patchouli and Sandalwood. This combination emphasizes the woody traits of the Oriental family. The key difference being that Oriental notes play second string to the dominant Sandalwood and/or Patchouli notes. Fragrance: Woody, Floral

• Mossy Woods: primarily composed of the scents of oak, moss, pine and wild forest woods. Fragrance: Foresty, Outdoors

• Dry Woods: primarily Mossy-Woody fragrances taking on drier notes of cedar, tobacco and burnt wood. The Dry Woods family is often called Leather. Citrus notes are generally added to bring a fresh touch. Fragrance: Leather, Tobacco

• Aromatic: This is a universal fragrance family that can include notes from all classifications but primarily citrus, lavender, sweet spices and oriental woods. Fragrance: Zesty, Fresh Woody

• Fruity: this is a very versatile family with fruity notes ranging from sweet (like I strawberry, raspberry) to tangier (citrus, orange, mandarin, lemon).

FRAGRANCES & MOODS:

Fragrances have been around since the beginning of civilization. In the beginning, they were typically associated with religious ceremonies. However, as time moved on, people began using aromas on their bodies and in their living spaces.

The connection to fragrance is a psychological one. Fragrances work on levels that we cannot even consciously process. They have fascinating effects on the mind. Fragrances are a powerful stimulant to the mind as many memories are associated with subconscious scents which are locked away deep inside the mind. Fragrances can help wake us up or soothe us to sleep. Scientific studies show there is a close relationship between aromas and the emotional side of our brains.

Fragrances can convey different combinations of moods and feelings. Every person perceives fragrances differently. Fragrance perception depends on the mood of the person, and the functioning of the olfactory senses at any given point of time.

Different moods cause different chemistry in the body which can affect the perception of a particular fragrance or scent. Similarly, the sharpness of the olfactory senses at any given point of time can also affect the perception of a particular fragrance or scent.

Depending on the mood we are in, we seek out and crave fragrances that can either highlight our moods, if it is a pleasant one – or offset and alter it, if it is an unpleasant one.

Moods can determine the fragrances we prefer. Similarly fragrances can set the mood for us. Certain scents invoke certain moods or feelings. Our moods and feelings are on a constantly evolving basis in our minds. We have very unstable, unpredictable patterns in our minds, and, interestingly enough, scientific studies show that fragrances can evoke some moods and feelings in a way that other stimuli cannot. Research has found that:-

• Vanilla can make one feel a sensuality he or she was previously unaware of. It can unleash hidden, yet strong emotions that resonate throughout the entire body.

• Sandalwood can invoke warm, seductive feelings that were previously unrecognized by the individual.

• Patchouli is a forceful scent, it creates profound feelings.

• Myrrh induces an overall feeling of courage; it creates a mental strength where there was none.

• Jasmine is the greatest scent of passion. It induces erotic thoughts even in the toughest people.

• Benzoin is great for opening deep emotional wells; it can penetrate the thick walls of emotions that have long since been fortified many times over.

• Ylang Ylang stimulates the body; it opens the senses to new, previously unfelt experiences.

• Bergamot, like jasmine, can produce erotic thoughts, but it also has the power of persuasion with it.

Similarly, researchers have also identified that certain classes of fragrances can invoke certain specific moods:-

• Oriental fragrances offer romantic, dream-based moods that are often idealistic in nature. They create emotional places where feelings can serve as a master, not just a guide.

• Green fragrances promote a classical, elegant, or cultured mood. They evoke feelings of wealth, power and freedom.

• Floral fragrances offer introspection, sensitivity, and reflection as the base moods. These can evoke a deep, spiritual understanding and intense relationship bonds.

• Fruity-Floral fragrances invoke a carefree, playful and cheerful mood. They create curiosity and an openness to change.

• Herby-Spicy fragrances offer an independent, unconventional, and unfettered mood. They promote artistic freedom.

• Fresh fragrances create a dynamic, active and extroverted mood. They invoke feelings of risk and the exhilaration of taking a risk.

• Woodsy fragrances create professional, pragmatic and self-assured moods. They are no nonsense fragrances that offer a feeling of practicality.

AMBIENCE: noun adjective

Ambience is created from a confluence of the inside with the outside. It is a merger of moods, feelings and emotions from inside of you with the environment, atmosphere and settings outside of you. When these are in harmony, an ambience is created.

While breathing in, if the air is alive and fragrant, makes us realize our existence and rejuvenates our being. While breathing out, the soul releases the air with a feeling of gratitude and acknowledgment. Fragrances hence create that ambience.

A fragrance alone cannot be effective unless the inner soul, guided by our moods and personality type, is in perfect harmony with the external ambience. Just as a bad mood will not find solace in a well decorated home or a work place so also a happy soul can find happiness in a less than ordinary home or work place setting. The trick lies in choosing and using the right fragrance for the right place.

It is a well known fact that we go through various moods throughout the day and crave for an ambience matching the particular shade of mood. Hence it is imperative to have a combination of air fresheners which will transpose us to our desired ambience without having to shift ourselves to a new location in search of the ambience.

For e.g. a bubbling frothy fragrance may not guarantee an ambient atmosphere when we are meditating; a fragrance of flowers could be the order of the day in a romantic setting.

Each one of us has our version of a perfect ambience in our place of stay or work. How we all crave for the ambient atmosphere in our homes and work place where we are in balance and harmony with the happenings of the day. Not every time we have this.

Moving from our air conditioned cars wit the perfect climate control settings and favourite music, back to our homes, we hope to find the moods and air to our liking. This depends a lot on how the air and the environment is maintained and conditioned with the air fresheners with those subtle fragrances that titillate our olfactory lobes and invigorate the air.

Ambience need not be luxurious and should be affordable- is our motto at aeroSoul.

Click here to view the Product