True or False: "If you don't like the smell of an essential oil, that means your body needs it. "
FALSE.
Let's look at this logically.
Our natural reactions can protect us. How many of you have smelled a leftover to see if it's "good" or "bad"? If it smells bad, it's likely spoiled and we are repulsed and don't eat it. By not eating it, we save our stomach a world of hurt. Ask anyone who’s eaten bad Chinese food. We don’t need to eat spoiled food.
Let’s use the food example in another situation. Sometimes we smell food and it smells good to us but repulsive to someone else. The smell of shrimp is one that makes me queasy but it’s a smell my husband loves. Does that mean I need the seafood? No, it means that my sense of smell is responsible for 80% of what I taste. I’ve had seafood before and hated it. (Sorry, shrimp fans!) Therefore my memory of that awful eating experience is conjured up by the smell of the shrimp and turns me off to the smell.
Essential oils can trigger memories, good or bad. So if the aroma of an essential oil makes you feel queasy or uneasy, it is likely bringing out a negative emotional response in you. No need to conjure up bad feelings, so set down the bottle and go about your day.
Let me give you two personal examples of why this doesn't make sense. The smell of Valerian repulses me. I remember blending with it for a client who really wanted it in her sleep blend. I only used a couple drops in a 15ml bottle and the aroma lingered for DAYS in my office. I couldn’t go in my office for a full week without feeling like I was going to gag. Does this mean my body needed it? Well, Valerian is best known as a heavy sedative oil. I sleep very well, so why do I need it? Truth is, I don't.
Let's take this further. Pretend I did want to sleep better and I knew the Valerian was known for its sedative properties and I really wanted to try it. I did and it instilled a negative reaction in me. Am I doomed never to sleep again? No. I would simply chose another sedative oil instead. Problem solved.
Another personal example is that I was not a fan of Frankincense at first. When I first started out in essential oils, I had heard everyone rave about Frankincense. I was so excited to try it. When I opened up that bottle, I was ready to be intoxicated with its aroma. I opened it and was like “Meh”. It didn't repulse me, just wasn't my style. However. over time, it grew on me. That doesn't mean I needed it, it means to me, it had an acquired smell.
Important Note: The incessant push for Frankincense to be used for “all the things” has lead to a major storage of the resin. For sustainability purposes, please be mindful of your use of this precious essential oil and get it from an ethical source.
Bottom line: If you are repulsed by the aroma of an essential oil, save your money and don't buy it. However, if your gut tells you to give it another chance, maybe you'll grow to like it. Maybe not. Either way, it is in no way saying you need it. That’s just a marketing ploy to get you to buy more essential oils.
