Some thoughts on the adverse
effects
of fragrances on humans.
By Martin Watt
I have long had a nagging
suspicion that the overuse of fragrance in certain situations may have
unwanted physiological effects.
My fears are briefly as follows:It is well
documented that female rats can’t get pregnant if they can’t smell the
male rats pheromones.There is an increasing volume of research indicating
that humans do have a functional vomerosal organ. This is the receptor
in animals noses that enables them to detect volatile chemicals, at levels
which we think we can’t perceive.
The fertility cycle of most animals is strongly
controlled by scents emanating from both male and female.
Just think about the way dogs and horses go
sniffing around a female they think is ready for mating.
So think about how the prolific use of scents
by humans might be influencing fertility.
Could it be that our use of various kinds
of fragrances in our food, on our skin, particularly in our washing machines,
in the air, etc. could, under the right circumstances, prevent a female
achieving a desired pregnancy.
I do not know the answer, but am now very
suspicious that this might be an additional factor behind our declining
fertility rates.I doubt the effects of these fragrances would be significant
in couples of normal fertility.
However, my advice to sub fertile couples
would be avoid the use of ALL fragrances for a while.
It could be that the natural odours coming
from the male, play a part in triggering the necessary hormones to prepare
for fertilisation in the female. It is feasible that the odour from
the female, plays a key part in sperm production in the male.
One thing is for sure, nature did not equip
our body secretions with fragrances for fun. They are there for a
purpose which I suspect is being strongly suppressed by our modern lifestyle.So
any therapists who treat sub fertile people might like to consider this.
It is fine to give the individual a massage using essential oils and indeed
the stress relaxation alone may well help achieve a pregnancy.
I know that following aromatherapy treatments,
some couples have achieved a pregnancy after years of trying.
This is mainly because of the stress busting
properties of the oils and the treatment. However, in such cases I would
advise that when trying for a baby, the environment should be as
free of fragrances as possible.
I would also advise sub fertile couples not
to bath or shower for a couple of days at the times of peak fertility.
Better to put up with a bit of BO for a while and achieve what they want
most a baby.
Another area to be cautious about with using
fragrances is with breast feeding mothers.
Crucial natural odour messages from mother,
form part of the bonding process and should not be inhibited by other smells.
Things like underarm deodorants, hair sprays, perfumes, fragrant soaps,
fabric softener in particular. Be cautious with all such powerful
fragrances. They can be useful, but think about possible side effects.For
lack of space, I have not given references here, but a lot of research
on humans olfactory perception has been done and references are obtainable.
Copyright 1998 by Martin Watt
Martin can be reached at:
http://www.aromamedical.com
E-Mail
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