Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Aromatherapy


What’s That I Smell? – The Claims of Aromatherapy by Lynn McCutcheon - Chapter 5.1, page 115

When my husband and I were selling our house, the realtor suggested we cook a pot of spaghetti sauce during the showing of our house so that the people enticed by a homey smell. I don’t think I have ever cooked a pot of spaghetti sauce from scratch and Ragu isn’t exactly what I would call a down home smell. However, scents are one trick of the trade to get people to purchase.

Companies like Yankee Candle reported $274.2 million profit in the fourth quarter of 2009 (http://yankeecandle.investorroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=183). The have scents from cinnamon apple to ocean breeze to evergreen. They have scented candles geared toward holidays. Bath and Body Works, sells essential oils, is a huge part of Limited Brands $356.11 million fourth quarter earnings (http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Limited_Brands_(LTD)).

Although I agree with the author of What’s That I Smell in aromatherapy doesn’t make one smarter, I am guilty of buying the candles because it is very relaxing to sit with a nice scented candle while doing homework and nothing is nicer than receiving a massage even if you end up smelling like jasmine.

3 comments:

  1. I have an aromatherapy book that smells like lavender and I love it. It’s supposed to help you relax and unwind but I think it’s mental.

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  2. When my son was born Johnson & Johnson advertised that the lavender had a calming effect on babies. Hence, I wanted to give it a try. I do believe it had no effect and agree with the article that it's just a pleasurable smell rather then beneficial in any way.

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  3. I have to admit that I love candle scents and incense. I agree that aromatherapy might not have the effects that pseudoscientists say it does, but I feel like it has some psychological effects on consumers. Some smells really help me relax and clear my mind, while some just manage to agitate me.

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