Can we please be honest about aromatherapy ...
… and make a difference for living a healthier life?
Imagine harnessing the power of nature’s most aromatic plants to boost your health and well-being. Aromatherapy does just that by utilizing botanical extracts to support vital processes within your body.
The first naturally occurring aromatic compounds discovered, toluene and benzene, were named due to their faint aromas. Today, humans produce approximately 35 million tons of aromatic compounds to manufacture various chemicals and polymers.
Not all aromatic compounds have a scent
Just because something smells like your favorite fragrance doesn't mean it’s good for you. Synthetic fragrances can still impact your system in negative ways.
In nature, aromatic compounds are produced by plants, microorganisms, and even the human body, which synthesizes the amino acid tyrosine. These compounds have critical roles in the function of all living things; three of the twenty amino acids needed to form enzymes are aromatic compounds. Additionally, the nucleotides that make up DNA and RNA sequences are also aromatic compounds.
Aromatic hydrocarbons, also known as arenes or aryl hydrocarbons, are aromatic compounds that possess unique circular structures and interact with the human body via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Initially studied for its role in metabolizing environmental chemicals, AHR is now recognized for its crucial functions in genetic expression, cell growth, and immune response to outside threats, from microorganisms to man-made endocrine disruptors.
You take supplements and do what you can to move your body, eat right and take a break from ‘it all’ … all valuable. Yet, in a world of 35 million tons of aromatic compounds, these actions do nothing for the very receptor designed to protect you from them.
This is why making aromatherapy a part of your daily self-care routine is necessary. It supports your system’s ability to adapt to these environmental stressors, complementing your self-care and enhancing your overall health and resilience.