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| What is perfume therapy? ' 
In Ancient Egypt, healing was done 'through smoke' (per fumem). Today, in some countries of the Arabian peninsula such as Oman, perfume is still used as a way to relax and cure through incense or resins burning: the inhalation of those by placing the head above the bowl combined with the imprint it leaves on the clothes and hair is a way to get rid of many common ailments through the olfactory function. Perfume Therapy or 'healing through perfumery' is the apothecary version for balancing mind and body through the use of carefully prepared natural essential oils perfumes and fragrances and is based on the initial idea of perfume which was used as a remedy. The tailor-made fragrances and preparations aim at treating many skin problems, respiratory conditions, rhumatisms or emotional problems including slight depression, lack of concentration, anxiety while allowing the individual to smell nice. Without realising it, we often practise Perfume Therapy. For example, when the honeysuckle and jasmine release their scents in the night, they travel directly to our nostrils and make us instantly feel good while wanting to smell and smell again... Our brain picks those beautiful smells and releases a 'joy hormone' and their effects are very close to adrenaline.
 How does it work? Unlike aromatherapy which can be used internally and tends to smell medicinal, 'Perfumetherapy' is only used for external purposes in a selective range of bodycare products including alcohol-free perfumes. The therapeutic properties of the essential oils are transferred through the olfactory functions and through the skin and like aromatherapy, the beneficial effects will start being felt after a period of use. It is to be noted that PERFUMETHERAPY is more efficient when based on carrier oils rather than alcohol.
Which products are available? Perfumes: We usually buy a perfume because its smell uplifts our spirit, reminds us of some strong memories or is the perfect fragrance for your skin. It is thus natural that perfumes can be used as a therapeutic way of treating some problems. In perfumetherapy, perfumes are alcohol-free and are prepared either as perfume oils or pommades which can be rubbed onto skin areas.
Bath oils or milk bath: Most of us will agree that the best time after a hectic day is when you soak into a warm bath. Your personal essential oils combination integrated into a special bath oil base which mixes up with the water can help you relieve and soothe a few problems such as respiratory, dry skin or digestive problems. The 'bath elixir' will gently go through your skin via the warm water and through your olfactory function and with the appropriate oils being used, the therapeutic properties will start working onto the affected parts, leaving you refreshed and perfumed.
For instance, if you have a headache, a combination of peppermint, lavender and mandarin will help you relieve the tensions causing the headache, relax while leaving your body fresh and revived. Here the peppermint works its way through the skin to act on the muscles while the smell of lavender and mandarin goes to your brain in a soothing and relaxing way. If you use the bath oil as a classic body oil, and straight after a hot bath, the perfume will stay on your skin for a while and make you feel good.
Shampoo: Perfumetherapy contributes to repair tired or thinning hair while leaving your head feeling cool and smelling nice. A tailor-made fragrance included in a neutral shampoo base will work wonders on your hair.
- Facial masks: When your skin is tired or needs a bit of shine, a perfumed clay or honey mask can revive you and helps your skin regain smoothness, silkness and elasticity.
- Diffuser oils: Your personalised scented oil poured into a diffuser clears the atmosphere in a room, get rid of bacteria or particles causing respiratory problems and generally, gives a feeling of freshness around the house.
EXAMPLE OF SOME OILS COMBINATIONS USED IN PERFUMETHERAPY* | Essential oils base | Treatment of | Also effective for | If pregnant | Children | | RELAX | Lavender, grapefruit, vetiver | Insomnia, anxiety, stress, headaches | Dry skin, water retention | Yes but avoid in the first 3 months | Helps concentration.
Replace grapefruit with mandarin | BREATHE | Cinnamon, pine, Ho wood | Bronchitis, sinusitis, headcold, coughs | Fatigue (including mental and sexual), anxiety, antiviral protection | No | Sparingly and only if over 6 years old | SOOTHE
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Lemongrass, ylang ylang, jasmine | Mental and physical fatigue, convalescence, digestion problems | Nausea, stiff neck, headaches, greasy skin, eczema, acne | Can be used after delivery as a general tonic | In a diffuser Only if over 6 years old |
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