Because our sense of smell is directly linked to the part of our brain associated with emotions, smell is the most enduring of our senses. It has the power to transform our emotions and heal our bodies. It can take us to another place and time.
Aromatic plants and the essential oils made from them have an immediate impact on our sense of smell. When we inhale the tiny particles of essential oils that are dispersed into the air, olfactory receptor cells are stimulated in a process known as "olfaction". The impulse is transmitted to the emotional centre of the brain, or "limbic system".
The limbic system is connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, breathing, and blood circulation, as well as the endocrine glands which regulate hormone levels in the body. The properties of the oil, the fragrance, and its effects, determine stimulation of these systems.
Because smell is so closely associated with memory, the sense of smell and the physiological processes involved can trigger memories associated with a particular scent, and recall the emotions we felt at that time. This can energize our spirits or bring back a mood of being happy and loved.Anisette works like this for me: the fragrance reminds me of warm anise cookies baking in my grandmother’s kitchen.