This is a report I wrote for my Aroma Therapy Class. My assignment was to conduct an aroma association test on my family or close friends. Put some lavender oil onto a perfume-testing strip and have them waft it under their nose, and tell you the first thoughts that come into their mind. Do you suspect any aroma associations, conditioning or response bias? I used my co-worker Mary as my test subject. Mary is familiar with essential oils, uses them on occasion. She has four grandchildren ranging in ages from 4 months to 6 years old. She often has them visit her house. We coordinated our break so we could conduct the test. First, we picked a table in the common break room on a floor away from our workspace. There is someone on our floor who has issues with scents, so did not take any chances of any complaints. We centered ourselves and quietly breathed for about 1 minute. I then set out two vials of essential oils: One of Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) and one of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis). The Sweet Orange labels were covered so she could not see what the oil was. I also laid out some paper towels, and perfume-testing sticks, and a small container of coffee grounds to clear our palate. I told Mary this was an Aroma Association Test.  I placed a drop of Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) on a perfume-testing strip. The oil quickly ran up the blotter and left no color. We each put a drop on our finger and felt (for just a moment) a slick sensation – but the oil quickly absorbed into our finger – we rubbed the remaining oil into the palms of our hands. Mary held the blotter under her nose and breathed in the scent. She said it made her feel calmer, somehow quieter, and then told me how she uses Lavender. She uses it often when she has her grandchildren overnight. She puts it on their pillow when she puts them to bed. She feels it calms them down. She said it reminded her of bath time when her grandchildren stay overnight. She said “Nighttime with my grandchildren.” She was smiling. I went through some of the qualities and therapeutic uses for Lavender telling her about it being analgesic and helping to relieve pain when applied directly to bruises, headaches, insect bites, migraine, and teething pain. I gave her the dilution of essential oil to almond oil for teething and the directions. As she started writing it down, I realized adding essential oil information to the classes I teach would be a good thing. We went through some more of the therapeutic uses including it being an antispasmodic, helping to relieve sore throat, good as a gargle, good for cough and indigestion, household uses, and talked for a bit about Lavender helping to keep away ants. Mary said she just bought some Lavender and that she has ants. She could not wait to get home to see how it will get rid of the ants she saw in her kitchen that morning. We then moved on to the Mystery Oil. We used the coffee grounds to clear our palate. Next, I told Mary I wanted her to smell an essential oil that many people find unpleasant. I could see her physically bracing herself. I put a drop of the Sweet Orange essential oil on a test-blotter (remember, the label was covered so she could not see what it was). The oil quickly ran up the blotter and the color was a light bright orange. We each put a drop on our finger. Again, it felt thicker and somewhat greasy. We again, rubbed the remaining oil into the palms of our hands. I gave Mary the blotter and asked her to smell it. She took a breath to steel herself against the “unpleasant” oil. She put the blotter under her nose and took a smell. She looked at me as her eyes lit up! She said with a surprised tone in her voice, “I like it!” When I asked her to describe the smell, she said: Lemon-y Cheery (as in happy) Bright It makes her feel “good” Energizing In addition, said, “I kinda like that one! What is it?”  Sweet Orange:
Aroma Association, pre-conditioning: Mary knew about the calming qualities of Lavender, which is why she uses it with her grandchildren. I think her knowing she smelled Lavender instantly brought her grandchildren to mind, and as she smelled it, she was picturing them and their nighttime routine. Mary was prepared not to like the “unpleasant” oil, but was pleasantly surprised at how much she liked it! I have a feeling Mary will add Sweet Orange to the Lavender she uses with her grandchildren and their nighttime routine. Note: As I was writing this report, I repeated the blotter tests for myself. Later, I asked my husband to smell the first blotter (Lavender, but I did not tell him what it was). I asked his opinion about the oil and what it brought to mind. He said it reminded him of putting his head under a towel tent and a steaming bowl of water. I told him that he has smelled this oil often, but never under a tent with a bowl of water. I then told him what is was and reminded him of what we have used it for. We use it for many things, but it is mainly used in our first aid kit. If he cuts his finger, I put a drop of Lavender on the finger. If there is a cut or scrape, we use essential oil of Lavender. He smiled and shook his head in recognition. I then asked him to smell the second blotter (Sweet Orange – again, not telling him what it was). What did this oil remind him of? He immediately said “orange”. It reminded him of when we make orange marmalade, and of when we put orange zest into cakes or cookies or jellies. He liked the smell and it made him smile. I asked him what he thought of the two blotters together. He really liked the blend. I also smelled the blotters. I liked the combination as well. Here is the interesting part about that. I asked him if I made a blend using these two oils, would it be something he would like to use in the morning or the evening. He was resonating more with the Sweet Orange oil and wanted to use it in the morning. He said it was an “exciting” combination. I thought it would be a nice combination to use in the evening before bed. I guess I was resonating more with the Lavender. It made me feel relaxed and wanting to “settle in.” In the end, we decided we should both use it at night, since it excited him and relaxed me! I wonder how it will go with flannel? Happy smelling and Blessings, Dorine |
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CategoriesAnniversaryAroma Association Test Bath Blessings Breakfast Clary Sage Dry Skin Brushing Easter; Blessings; Anniversary; Eggs; Eggs Essential oils Essential Oils, Cat, Luna Eucalyptus, Food Fu Wei Grapefruit Home Office Lavender Lemon Neroli New Moon Medicine office Olive Oil Placebo Effect Recipe Recipes Red Phoenix Rice Rose Rose Attar Rosemary Saturated Fat Sesame Oil Sheng Chi Shower Gel Skin Patch Test Sweet Orange Tangerine Tien Yi Unsaturated Fat Water Dragon Yen Nien Ylang Ylang
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