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