Making My Own Soap - Importance of Scents?

The next step of my soap making journey revolves around choosing the proper fragrance.  Smells do many things - bring back cherished memories from childhood - help aid in pain relief - energize us - relax us - I think you get my point ... so it is important that you consider what you want your soap to do for you.  This is the great thing about soaps - you can use one for morning showers to get you energized for the day - and a different one when you need a stress relief / a relaxing moment away from the craziness of the day. 
Always try to find organic supplies for soap making.  Remember that your skin is the largest organ you have and is the entry point for everything.  Be very careful what you choose to include in your soap.

For me, I have some favorite scents that I will be using in my first trial run of soap making... but for you, let's give you some more ideas for what scents will offer you...my post from a couple days ago will give you some more good information on other scents...

Rosemary - Rosemary is a very ancient herb of the evergreen family.  In ancient times it was known as sacred.  There are many medicinal benefits of rosemary.  It is known to activate the brain and clear away cobwebs.  It helps with headaches, migraines, pain, mental fatigue, nervous exhaustion.  It is also effective for bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma.  It also encourages hair growth and helps fight any skin maladies. 

Benefits: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/rosemary.htm

Sage - Sage boosts short term memory, balances hormones - reducing hot flashes, decreasing excessive menstruation, and lactation.  In a recent study, sage was found to protect your genetic DNA from damage. Sage also has a relaxing affect.  There is a difference between Clary Sage, and Sage.  Clary sage has been used for centuries medicinally for labor.  Many women say that they do not need additional pain killers with the addition of Clary Sage.  It can be put under the pillow or directly into the skin.  Caution though is needed when using it directly on the skin as it is very strong.

Benefits: http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail52.php

Basil - Basil has many of the same benefits as Rosemary.  Do not use during pregnancy.

Benefits: http://www.livestrong.com/article/198886-basil-in-aromatherapy/

Orange - Sweet orange helps calm and relax one.  It is a sedative, and is also know for its ability to lower high blood pressure.  It can aid in bronchitis, asthma, muscle cramps, anxiety attacks, congestion, and insomnia. 

Benefits: http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/orange.html

Lemongrass - Ivory soap has a lemongrass base.  It is an astringent, antiperspirant, and an antiseptic.  Caution - it is quite strong - a little goes a long way and can be an irritant to skin.  It has been used for respiratory infections.  Lemongrass is great for slightly oily skin and is a great boost for mental well being.

Benefits: http://aromatherapy.savvy-cafe.com/the-benefits-of-lemongrass-essential-oil-properties-2007-10-01/

Jasmine - There are many nuances to jasmine that I love.  My favorite is a night blooming jasmine... just thinking of the smell relaxes me.  Jasmine is well known for its relaxing capabilities as well as it's ability to take the edge off migraines.  It also is known to relieve muscle cramps, depression, and anxiety.  It has been used to relieve impotency and frigidity in both men and women. 

Benefits: http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/jasmine.html

Rose - Rose water has many benefits - not only the scent but the oil itself.  It is an anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, astringent among others.  It also helps lower fevers, reduces scarring, purifies the blood, aids in regulating menses.  The list goes on and on. 

Benefits: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-rose-essential-oil.html

Vanilla - Vanilla is a comforting aroma for both men and women.  It is one of the scents that will aid you in falling and staying asleep faster / longer.  It is an antidepressant - with tranquilizing and sedating properties.  It is known to be an aphrodisiac for men. 

Benefits: http://theresaann.hubpages.com/hub/the-benefits-of-using-vanilla-essential-oil-in-aromatherapy

Of course, I could have missed many, many of your favorites, as I know I haven't touched on a couple of mine... start paying attention to how scents affect you and make a list of the ones you may want to incorporate into your own soaps one day!  Blessings... E

What is in a scent?

Did you know that smells can increase your libido?  How about increase your memory?  Or help you lose weight?  Our sense of smell is one of the best memory triggers we have... have you ever walked past a restaurant and remember a favorite event from childhood?  Or walked passed someone, and remembered a loved one long gone? 

We are inundated with smells every day without paying attention to how those smells affect us.  Let's take a look at several... and let's see if you can add to the list I start.

1. Peppermint.  The smell of peppermint has been known to soothe a sour stomach, relieve the pain of a migraine, invigorate your workout, and help relax one for restful slumber.

2. Cinnamon. Has long been known to be an aphrodisiac.... light some cinnamon candles on a night you want some romance!!

3. Favorite scents.  Having some of your favorite odors around will help you stay away from the refrigerator... as long as they are not foody smells!!  :) 

4. Rosemary.  Long known to increase your mental acutity.  Rosemary not only helps you study better, but will help you the night before a big test to sharpen your memory.

5. Green Apple.  This like your favorite scents, will reduce your food cravings. 

6. Orange.  The citrisy smell of the orange is known to relax and destress.

7. Lavender.  Lavender has been known for centuries to relieve stress, pain, help relax, and aid in deep slumber.  Be careful though, many people - and especially babies - are sensitive to lavender.  If you try sleeping with lavender in your pillow - or add the essential oil to your rinse cycle for your bedding and develop a rash - you might want to try something else.

8. Baby powder.  Has been known to increase sexual urges in women.

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to heal many ailments.  Grab a book from the library or go online and do some research as to how you can use scents to help you get to your center.

Additional reading: http://azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/91_folder/91_articles/91_scents.html
More reading: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1887
More reading: http://ezinearticles.com/?Delight-the-Senses---Breathe-Scents-to-Heal-Body,-Mind-and-Soul&id=3579330

I hope you find a way to smell yourself healthier!!  Blessings... E