Smell

 The sense of smell is essential, not only for identifying different smells. It is also closely connected to the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, memory and behaviour. Olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity detect airborne molecules and send signals directly to the brain's olfactory lobe. Unlike the other senses (such as sight and hearing), olfactory information does not pass through the thalamus. Instead, the signals go directly to the limbic system, specifically the amygdala and hippocampus. Therefore, smells can evoke robust emotional responses and rekindle old memories, as the amygdala processes emotions while the hippocampus is involved in memory formation.

The intimate connection between smell and the limbic system also means that scents have a powerful impact on our psychological and physiological states, influencing mood, behaviour and social interactions. Odors, therefore, clearly impact our health - positively or negatively. We take advantage of this in Ayurveda, where we use herbs and essential oils to balance health via the sense of smell. The essential oils, in particular, are indeed the soul of the plants where their life-giving power is found in highly concentrated form. We use essential oils for aromatherapy and marma therapy, where specially selected oils are applied to the unique energy connection points called marma. Both therapies have very profound effects. The sense of smell is related to the earth element and thus to kapha-dosha. If you, therefore, have a lot of kapha in your constitution or an imbalance in kapha, it can be extra beneficial with aromatherapy, etc. But for all of us, olfactory impressions are essential for health and can also be delightful. So make sure you take the time to smell the roses.