| It's obvious that I love essential oils. I believe in the | | | | of saying that I do "aromatherapy", I say that I |
| rejuvenating and healing properties of high quality | | | | work with the "use of therapeutic grade essential |
| therapeutic oils. And I love sharing them with other | | | | oils". There is a huge difference. As a matter of fact, |
| people - personally and professionally. | | | | I inhale my therapeutic oils to counteract the effects |
| That doesn't mean that I love smells, nor do I want | | | | of these artificial scents. |
| odors to permeate all aspects of my life. I particularly | | | | In the past few years we have seen an increased |
| don't want imposed scents invading my nasal | | | | interest in "smelling-ness" as evidenced by the |
| passages without my permission, especially when | | | | popularity of "aromatherapy". Large corporations are |
| they are man-made and petrochemically-based, and | | | | sniffing out advertising opportunities that this can |
| most scents are. But I, like zillions of others who read | | | | offer. In 2006 companies spent $80 million on scent |
| newspapers and magazines daily, will be having the | | | | related marketing in 2006. And its only the beginning. |
| experience of surprise scents wafting up from our | | | | Here are some examples: |
| reading material very soon. | | | | --Kraft Foods sent a holiday issue with "rub and smell" |
| The "smell" industry is coming to get us, and they're | | | | ads for Jell-O and Chips Ahoy. |
| coming fast. Why not? We're a captive audience with | | | | --Verizon Wireless had chocolate "scent strips" to |
| pages that can hold scent right under our nose. What | | | | promote a mobile phone and music player called |
| great opportunity for advertising. Well, I'm freaking | | | | Chocolate. |
| out. I already have a hard time walking through | | | | --Diet Pepsi has their ads, coupons, and store signs |
| perfume counters in department stores. And don't | | | | smelling like their new soft drink's fruit and vanilla |
| even talk to me about Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I get | | | | fragrance. |
| a headache every time I'm in that place from the | | | | "Scent Marketing" is catching on. Darn. And I was so |
| "perfume-grade" aromatherapy items that line just | | | | glad when my invoices from Macy's and Strawbridges |
| about every aisle. My friends don't understand this | | | | stopped wearing those headache-causing perfumes. |
| about me. They say "how can you feel that way | | | | Oh well. What does this all mean (besides the |
| when 'aromatherapy' is a main thrust of what you | | | | consideration of dumping the papers and reading |
| do?" | | | | everything online?) Well for me it just means more |
| I remind them "not all aromas are therapeutic", as a | | | | education is necessary. We need to let people know |
| matter of fact most of the identifiable smells we | | | | that there is a difference in an "aromatherapy" |
| have are man-made and petrochemically based. That | | | | marketing venture and the therapeutic use of |
| is one of the main reasons why I rarely use the | | | | essential oils for health, healing, and beauty. I hope |
| word "aromatherapy" to describe what I do. Instead | | | | you join me in that effort. |