by Talea Jurrens

Created on: August 08, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2012

Most of us have experienced smelling a certain scent that brings back a flood memories. Warm and comforting thoughts of grandmother's kitchen, roses in our wedding bouquets or the scent of our sheets as we lay down to sleep. Fragrance is everywhere and it is an important part of our lives.

It's natural that we would want to surround ourselves by pleasant scents. Fragrance can stimulate a positive mood, make us feel more energetic or relax us when we need a breather. Many of us have been raised to believe that our homes are not clean unless we can smell the residual cleaning products. We feel embarrassed if there is not an infusion of sweet smells as visitors arrive. We strive to do the best for our families and keep a presentable home. For many of us, this includes using home fragrance products such as air fresheners, candles, incense and potpourri. What we wouldn't expect is that it might actually be harming our health and the health of those we love.

I had always been one to follow the unspoken rules above. That changed one afternoon when I came across an article on pet care. The article mentioned often overlooked toxins that could be harming an indoor pet's health. The carpet fresheners that we sprinkle on before vacuuming may leave residual particles where our pets sleep. The air freshener plug-in that are so close to the floor are directly at their level increasing exposure risk. These words came as quite a shock. Not only did it make me look at my pet in fear but it also conjured fearful images of my son playing on the floor. Fragrance comes from molecules that are absorbed through the nose and respiratory system. They can also be absorbed through the skin. If these types of products are potentially harmful to my pet, they are potentially harmful to my family. I decided to rid my home of the formerly cherished air fresheners and delve into the subject further.

My research enlightened me to the fact that many products containing fragrance may not be regulated as well as they could be. Certain chemicals are strictly regulated but in my understanding, fragrance falls in a general category which is often protected by manufacturer's trade secrets. This could leave the potential for certain ingredients that may cause adverse reactions to get mixed in and not be disclosed in the labeling. With this in mind, I decided that it would be very wise to seek more natural alternatives.

The first thing that came to mind was to look back into history. How did the homemakers of the past keep their homes smelling fresh without all of the modern day products? They opened their windows daily to let the fresh air and sunlight in. Fresh flowers such as lilacs, lavender, honeysuckle and roses were gathered for special occasions. Essential oils were distilled and mixed with a potpourri of citrus peel, dried flowers and aromatic bark. Herbs such as rosemary, mint, basil and thyme were grown in the kitchen. These industrious old timers were probably the original pioneers of aromatherapy. We could all take a lesson from them in our quest for more healthful home pleasant smelling home.

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