The Dangers of Fragrance

Fragrance ‘a pleasant, sweet smell’ in its original form was derived from plants such as flowers, roots and fruits which were distilled or extracted to obtain their aromatic compounds. The purpose of a fragrance in most instances is to distract one’s senses from an unappealing odour. For example, the scent of waste disposal, toilet or to mask bodily odour which is excreted from a human's sweat glands primarily arm pits.  

Unfortunately, synthetic fragrances emerged in the late 19th century. This marked a significant shift for commercial companies from relying solely on natural extracts and essential oils to using synthetic chemicals such as nitrobenzene which was used in scented body products and home cleaning products. 

The effects of these chemicals being released into the home environment or application to skin, can cause an array of reactions. As our body attempts to breakdown and detox these unrecognisable chemicals. These effects are shown by the body in the form of rashes, nasal drip and headaches. The main disruption to our body when it comes to fragrance, is the effect it has on our endocrine system (hormone production).

Commercial companies add synthetic perfumes to cleaning products, body mists and kids play items, so we become addicted to the scent from a young age. Perfumes heighten our sense of smell and psychologically trigger the brain to be attracted to a brand, sadly the effects of these chemicals aren’t traceable. Manufacturers are not taking responsibility for the consequences that these toxin hormone disruptors have on the cells in the human body, as it struggles to process them. We are now seeing these effects in the form of cancer cells or infertility; a low dose of consistent exposure over a lifetime can be described as ‘toxic top up’.

How does your body absorb the fragrance vapour:

When synthetic perfumes (allergens) are sprayed their volatile liquid components particularly the alcohol and water mixture rapidly evaporate into the air and are absorbed into your airways through inhalation. Synthetic fragrances have been labelled as the most precocious source of toxins ‘the new cigarette smoke’. Once you spray the volatile chemical the allergen binds to the dust in your home. The ultra fine particles are less than 0.1 microns and are invisible to the human eye. They have the ability to reach the brain and lung alveoli where gas exchange takes place, this causes oxidised stress within the blood stream which is the number one cause of disease. Children can’t detoxify the chemicals they inhale from the dust particles which is now presenting health issues such as; cognitive delay, allergies, histamine reactions and behavioural issues. To protect you and your family’s health you can create your own essential oil cleaning products and enjoy the light from a bee’s wax candle in the winter.  Paraffin wax candles when lit also liberate carcinogens like formaldehyde and benzine. How to keep on top of the pesky dust…

• Open the windows in your house at least once a day
• Keep on top of dusting and reduce items in the home that hold dust i.e. carpets and curtains. Instead opt for wood flooring and use natural fibre rugs for comfort.
• Enjoy indoor house plants like the spider plants and peace Lily.

Body odour: Why it occurs and how to reduce the smell.

Our arm pits sweating is one of the ways in which the body detoxifies unwanted toxins. The odour occurs when the bacteria on our skin digests the sweat and turns it into waste. If our organs such as the colon, liver, lungs and kidneys are congested the body will dump some of the excess toxic waste into the skin. “The chemical products block its excretion of toxins through the skin, which may please the nose, but causes a steady build-up of toxins in the skin and underlying connective tissues; it also increases bacterial development and the risk for skin diseases, even skin cancer”

What can you do to detox your armpits:

• Underarm detox clay mask: a mix of bentonite clay and unpasteurised apple cider vinegar can be applied to the armpits for 20 minutes, then washed off. These masks help detoxify the armpits by removing impurities and rebalancing bacteria. 
• Aid your lymphatic system with dry body brushing
• Take Epsom salt baths 
• Saunas: keep wiping the sweat away so the toxins aren’t reabsorbed followed by a refreshing mineral drink with lemon.
• Ayurvedic treatment: Steam box swedana: Patients sit inside a wooden box, surrounded by herbal steam for about 30 minutes. Patients start sweating and through this sweat the toxins of the body are eliminated. This process is also shown to stimulate circulation.  

My tips for reducing body odour.

• Detox your drainage pathways to keep on top of flushing unwanted toxins
• Gradually make life adjustments to living a life that is as toxin free as can be
• Wipe your armpits in the morning and evening with an organic cotton wash cloth 
• If you feel the need to wear a deodorant due to going to an event and feel self conscious of potential odour purchase an organic parfum aluminium free deodorant
• For shaving use a natural shaving bar
• If it’s a sunny day lift your arms up to the sky and let your arm pits absorb the Vitamin D

How you can enjoy natural scents in the form of essential oils.

You can take an Ayurvedic body type test to determine your dosha:

• For vata the best scent to use is hina or amber.
• For pitta try using khus, sandalwood, or jasmine.
• For kapha use either amber or musk

“Our nose is a doorway to the brain so love your airways and let them enjoy natural scents from real flowers”

Further learning: A podcast I enjoyed listening to in the dangers of hidden fragrances:

‘Diary of a CEO’ with Steven Bartlett interviewing Dr Yvonne Burkart (PhD Toxicologist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObAX1r8r0s

Written by Chloe Bryant, certified Detox Practitioner through The Detox Practitioner's School. Connect with Chloe HERE.