Life in Rose

In Latin cultures, we have a very special connection with perfume. It signals that one is bathed, clean, and ready for family dinner time or a night out. It brings back fond memories of being pampered as a child or of abuelitas in their armchairs watching the novela in their housecoats covered in talcum powder and perfume.

Smell is the sense most closely linked to memory, and that is why smells impact us so deeply.

What follows is another unpopular topic, especially in our lovely Latin culture.

The olfactory bulb is the first cranial nerve, responsible for our ability to smell. Its branches pass through the cribriform plate of the skull, so that the stems form part of the nasopharynx. This means that when we smell something, the molecules of that substance touch the anatomical brain.

When these substances are natural, such as flowers or food, the effect is positive. But when fragrances are synthetic, such as detergents, cosmetics, cleaning products, and perfumes, they can cause harm to the body, especially the endocrine system which encompasses hormones.

Also, when we consider the applications of perfumes and deodorants, we see that they are usually in the neck at the level of the thyroid or the armpits which are full of vasculature and lymphatic glands. Many common deodorants also contain aluminum salts which can also be toxic.

Now, I am not suggesting that we should simply stop using deodorants and perfumes. What I am suggesting is that we look for natural products that contain essential oils. There are many detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics, and deodorants that have begun to recognize these risks and are producing alternatives for consumers. Many times they say “Free and Clear” on the pop label to declare that they are free of allergens such as dyes or synthetic fragrances. There are also homemade products made with baking soda to neutralize odors of acidic origin.

Finally, essential oils are natural floral concentrates that have powerful aromatherapeutic properties, as well as a delicious smell. With so many alternatives, we can take care of our health and still enjoy life in rose.