Olfactory journey through emotions: how to get into the spirit of Christmas with scented candles

Intoxicating the senses, that is immerse yourself in familiar smells and, as if by magic, let oneself be transported by memory to places steeped in memories of the past. This whirlwind of emotions is triggered by an olfactory journey: why perfume is closely linked to the psyche.

Known as Proust syndrome from memories resurfaced by the scent and flavor of one madeleine dipped in a cup of tea in The search for lost time, the evocative power of smell over the centuries it has been celebrated in literature and is today the object of study of the neuro-sciences. This olfaction-memory connection which can give us unexpected joys, it is so powerful that, especially in an era of pandemic, the purchases of perfumes, not only for the person but also for the environment, have increased dramatically. And so, precisely because Christmas is coming, nothing is better than a scented candle to make us experience the atmosphere of the holidays at 360 ° from an emotional point of view and fill the house with a celestial nostalgia.

“In every age and tradition, candles have been used as a sacred instrument. They certainly have a suggestive charm: they have always represented a bond with the divine and at the same time have the function of protecting. In these two difficult years, where concepts such as closure, limitation, detachment, distance have represented the lives of many people, scented candles with their glow and their scent have helped to bring serenity to everyday life. The candle is therefore protection but it is also meditation, that is, it allows you to recreate intimate and particular atmospheres, inducing reflection and meditation so as to allow the person to find strategies to deal with difficult situations “, says Sandra Perini, Psychotherapist, Aromatherapist, Naturopath.

What are the benefits of candles in the home? «They are certainly locked up in the symbolic keys of the candle itself and of the aroma it releases. First of all, the light of the candle that illuminates the darkness of the soul, through fire, a purifying element of excellence. As the wax melts, an alchemical transformation takes place: it frees thoughts and emotions it has captured and at the same time releases its aroma. For the process to take place it is necessary to choose excellent raw materials such as soy wax and essential oils, and avoid synthetic fragrances. Aromatherapy is part of the complementary holistic disciplines which consists in the use of essential oils for health support. Psychoaromatherapy in particular, makes use of the action of essential oils which, inhaled or diffused in the environment, bring benefit to the personal, relational and existential condition of the individual. Essential oils act on cognitive functions: sensation, perception, attention, concentration, memory, learning, intuitions and emotions. Each essential oil produces an effect on the central nervous system and cascades on the endocrine and immune systems, directly and indirectly affecting the substances that contribute to regulating the person’s psychophysical stress », continues the expert.

Ma how to associate scents and emotions to recreate a tailor-made environment according to our mood? «We choose perfumes instinctively, trusting our nose. The saying “having a good nose” properly refers to our ability to judge things or people. We know that scents and aromas communicate directly with our emotional world: the limbic system. They have a direct channel with our unconscious. THEIt is therefore important to choose fragrances that meet our inner essence, so as to facilitate the expression of deep emotionality. There are many scientific studies that corroborate the effects of using aromatherapy for the well-being of the person ».

An emotion for each fragrance

And here it isand fragrances associated with emotions by the aromatherapist Sandra Perini:

Orange is associated with joy, to the will to live. It has a predilection for the cardiovascular system, fights nervous tension and is a valuable aid to support sleep. It instills optimism and stimulates the desire to smile. Teach you to enjoy the little things; it also revives the environment and improves the quality of the atmosphere, especially in places where there are often tensions.

Roman chamomile is associated with calm and to the stillness of the soul and is considered a healing plant. According to scientific studies, it has a strong sedative action on the central nervous system, acting on cortisol, the stress hormone: simple inhalations of chamomile give relaxation and reduce stress and the feeling of oppression.

Cedar is related to wisdom, to immortality, to incorruption. It is part of the conifer family and for this reason it returns vitality and energy in the great trials of life. It supports frustration tolerance which then allows you to act wisely and perseveringly. It calms the central nervous system and promotes the ability to make decisions.

Jasmine is related to sensuality, to sexuality and physical intimacy. Emblem of pleasure and passionate love, it is a powerful aphrodisiac, therefore it helps to overcome blocks in the affective and sentimental sphere. It also contributes to the production of enkephalins, neurotransmitters that inhibit the sensation of pain and induce a sense of peace and well-being.

Incense is related to inspiration and spirituality. It allows you to elevate your gaze and purify your instincts. It represents an invitation to detach oneself from the material things of life and instead pay attention to the spiritual part of existence and to what truly nourishes the soul. Great for meditation: it gives calm and tranquility and above all helps to overcome the fear of the unknown.

Lavender derives from the Latin name “wash”: Saint Ildegarda recommended its use so that the person remained pure and uncontaminated. It is an essential oil with many effects and is a valid remedy for anxiety, agitation, the sense of loneliness and is an excellent relaxing and soothing: especially for those who feel defective and are always looking for a point. support.

Vanilla is associated with personal gratification and the satisfaction of the senses. Excellent antidote to dissatisfaction, it manages to create a sweet and comfortable atmosphere. It represents the pleasure of being together and the need to exchange tenderness.

The smell of Christmas

Finally, why it’s a good idea to use them to recreate the Christmas atmosphere as well and what are the perfumes most related to this period? «On the night between the 24th and the 25th there is the custom of lighting a candle, the so-called Christmas candle to commemorate the birth of Christ. This custom is linked to the expectation and celebration of the Light that triumphs over Darkness. Beyond the sacred meaning, there is no less important profane meaning. The candles create a beautiful atmosphere with magical tones and they are a symbol of celebration and warmth. The perfumes most related to Christmas are definitely spices like the Cinnamon, star anise and cloves. Spices are linked to abundance and the will to live. For example, Cinnamon is associated with the symbols of death and rebirth, and therefore speaks of the ability to overcome difficult moments in life, especially those in which the will to live is no longer glimpsed. We certainly have citrus fruits, which as I wrote earlier, express the desire for lightheartedness and the desire to be together. Finally, the wonderful conifers, such as il Scots pine and balsamic fir that speak of longevity and immortality of the soul. For example, for those who want to create a handmade candle for the holidays, the combination of Cinnamon bark, Sweet Orange and Vanilla is certainly an excellent blend to make the atmosphere satisfying and life-giving », suggests the expert.

The perfume intoxicates the hotel

Not only at home, you can experience the emotions of perfumes even if you are a guest in a hotel. As at the historic St. Regis in Rome which in these days of celebration celebrates the evocative light and atmosphere of the capital through a “fragrant” collaboration with Culti Milano, a pioneer brand in environmental culture. And it was Alessandro Agrati, founder of the brand, the first in the world, 30 years ago, who invented the famous wicker sticks for room diffusers that today many brands in the world use. In the powder blue Library of the luxurious hotel, the Culti Milano diffuser revives the energy of the sea, of the walks on the water’s edge, of the deep breaths of iodine and of the damp woods smoothed by the rocking of the waves through the Mareminerale fragrance. While the four Metropolitan Suites, with their warm and harmonious palettes, are scented with the four historical fragrances of the brand: Aramara, Tessuto, Thé and Mediterranea. Cuddle her more? At the end of the stay, guests are invited to live an olfactory experience at the Culti House in Via Vittoria, in the center of Rome, to choose the most pleasing fragrance: a gift to revive a memory to take away with you. ⁣⁣

In the gallery candles and home fragrances to stimulate emotions and memories.

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