Fragrance oils, lotions and perfumes have been used as far back as Greek and Roman times when rich people could afford massages and baths in such plesent aromas. Athletes used them to treat their muscles before and after competing. The same essential oils and lotions are still used to treat muscle tension and reduce the shock that comes with sporting injuries. Massaging body oils into muscles after exercise can disperse the buildup of toxins, and disperse lactic acid. Women use them for relaxing massages, fresh body oils, perfumes etc.
Fragrance oils have a big effect on our mental state and on our entire body. Our sense of smell is the only sense that’s directly wired to the limbic system, our emotion control centre and has a direct effect on it. Other senses like touch or sight, however, require a lot of ‘processing’ and decoding through the brain, before they can be understood and elicit a response. This direct brain connection means fragrances have the ability to tap into our memories and affect our moods, thoughts, emotions and even our mental performance. For example, if brussel sprouts caused an untimely gastric mishap at the Christmas dinner table when you were five, chances are the mere scent of the vegetable will cause you to feel queasy as an adult. Both men and women most commonly feel relaxed and enjoy the presence of fragrance oils. The variety of usage is wide and includes body oils, lotions, perfume oil, shower gels etc.
Have you ever noticed how the slightest sniff of your first love’s fragrance can instantly recall vivid memories from your past? With a memory capacity of somewhere between 2000 to 5000 aromas in any one human being, it’s incredibly simple to tap into someone’s subconscious memory with a simple scent and bring to life the whole image of that innocent love with the cute boy when you were thirteen.
Most commonly women’s reaction on fragrance oils is emotionally connected and they are curtain in the same second whether they like the smell or not, where as to men it can have a big variety of effects depending on the personal characteristics. Some men like sharp and hard smells where other enjoy a bit more lighter smell, some find it relaxing where others just decide whether it suits their character or not.
Further more fragrance oils are used almost in any part of the cosmetics industry, separated or mixed with other components, they are used in the production of, perfume oils, shower gels, cologne, body sprays etc.