Aromatherapy in Weight Control

The latest findings in physiology suggest that the mind isn’t really located in the brain but travels the whole body on billions of hormones and enzymes analyzing signals from our senses of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and vision. Ayurveda takes advantage of addressing all five senses for balancing or curing the mind and body.
The sense of smell is probably the most powerful of all senses for it is directly connected with the brain. Vedic literature from 2000 BC lists over 700 substances and describes their use for body and mind. Aromatherapy relays fragrances through the olfactory sense of the brain, bringing healing energy to the mind and body. There are many ways to use aromatherapy: diffuser; potteries; light bulb rings; incense; with carrier oils in cosmetics; mixed with water in the bath tub.
To choose an aroma which is good for you, you should know your constitution (see Prakruti) and look for oil with qualities which pacify your dosha (see Dosha test).

Vata needs sweet, warming, grounding aromas such as musk, camphor, orange, clove, cardamom, lavender, and frankincense.
Pitta is soothed by the use of cooling, calming, sweet aromas such as sandalwood, jasmine, rose, rose geranium, lemongrass, fennel and gardenia.
Kapha is pacified by warming, stimulating aroma such as musk, camphor, thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage.
See more about aromatherapy in cosmetics in my earlier post Essential oils and the skin.

Aromas are tastes too. Ayurveda uses aromatherapy to pacify food cravings. Sometimes you crave not for that particular taste but for emotion or feeling this taste is associated with. In that case you can simply sniff that feeling without consuming calories! If you crave for fatty, creamy, sweet foods use such oils as clove or geranium. If you crave for potato ships, pop corn, peanuts, and crackers cinnamon or mint will be helpful. If you crave for coffee, colas, or chocolate try eucalyptus or marjoram. This is a beautiful way to stay slim without suffering.

TODAY’S  TIP: For cellulite, try clary sage, cypress, fennel, geranium, lemon, melissa, juniper, lavender, or patchouli.