Fragrance is important to me and apparently I'm not alone. I remember hearing somewhere, sometime, that fragrance is one of our senses most linked to memory. There is a physiological reason for this.
For me, fragrance's memory link is strong. In the spring, a whiff of opening blossoms and the earth waking up from its winter nap fills me with joy. The smell reminds me of my college days when the campus was full of flowering trees and I anxiously awaited the coming summer.
The smell of mint brings back memories of working outdoors near mint farms. Some nights, the sticky sweet smell almost brought tears to my eyes. And when I used to dread a full day of housecleaning in the bleakest months of winter on the coast, I mixed up a bucket of natural soap with a few drops of mint oil for its vibrant pick-me-up quality.
I will always associate the soothing fragrance of lavender with ironing and sewing. And my kids in the bath as their crazy energy slowly submitted to the warm water spiked with lavender.
And I even love the earthy and bitter smell of wool's lanolin (and no, that isn't a sheep----it's an alpaca). Lanolin's smell evokes memories of the most peaceful of activities: handspinning. I love the smell of the lanolin as I watch the fiber slowly twist into something useful between my fingers.
What about you? Do you have certain fragrances linked to memories?
**I received a couple requests for my recipe for the lavender linen spray I mentioned yesterday. I know there are probably better recipes out there, as this is the simplest recipe of all: Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and add a few drops of essential oil. Shake it up and let it sit. Before each use, shake it to distribute the essential oil. That's all I do!
Essential Oils can be found at:
Liberty Naturals (a great source for high quality oils at reasonable prices, as well as spray bottles & containers)...
Mountain Rose Herbs (this is a wonderful company and be sure to poke around their site for many other great natural products and ideas---they have wonderful tea)!
