The smells of a March morning carry me instantly back in time. I am 9 years old. An old Moscow courtyard. I am walking home from school, unhurried, enjoying the sunshine. Streams are running and the buds on the trees have swollen. We talked about them in class at school today.
The smell of spring air instantly activates complex emotions and memories in me. How does that happen? It all comes down to the anatomy of the brain. Smells are processed by the olfactory “bulb” and pass into the brain.
There they connect with two areas associated with emotion and memory — the amygdala and the hippocampus. Scent molecules also reach the pituitary gland, which produces the hormones responsible for growth, metabolism and reproduction.
The link between smells and physiology is therefore clear. And we can put that link to use for our own purposes, including for restoring health.
Here are the 3 main ones I often use for YogaHormonal hormonal yoga practice:
Clary sage oil
Lowers cortisol, improves thyroid function and balances oestrogen production.
Thyme oil
Increases progesterone production. A shortage of this hormone causes infertility, PCOS and depression.
Sandalwood oil
Effectively balances testosterone levels in both men and women. Sandalwood is regarded as a natural aphrodisiac. That is precisely why its scent appears so often in perfumes.
Men with low testosterone can add a few drops of sandalwood oil to their lotion. It will not only help you smell good but bring considerable health benefits.
How do you use essential oils?
One of my favourite methods is to mix coconut oil with three essential oils and apply the blend to different areas of the body. And since the oils have a low molecular weight, they can be absorbed into the body through the skin, giving fast results.
And may your spring be filled with pleasant smells, positive sensations and warm memories!
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/yogaforthegwinn/
