In Defense of Nature

 

Making Scents of Nature

Plant fragrances came into being for the utilitarian purpose of attracting insects (such as this Hummingbird Moth) to pollinate flowers (such as the Mimosa [Albizia julibrissin] seen here). Their function has nothing to do with making people smell “nice”.

ALL TEXT AND PHOTOS © Marlene A. Condon

 

For thousands of years, at least, humans have applied substances to their bodies to smell better. Of course, for most of those years, people did not have easy access to bathing facilities as we do now. As a result, when hard-working men and women sweated, they were not always able to effectively wash off the bacteria that fed on their sweat (a mix of water and a tiny amount of salt and waste products). People therefore tried to mask the resulting body odor with fragrances.

 

Sweat itself does not smell bad. The body odor we find so offensive is the result of droppings that bacteria feeding on the waste products of our sweat create. All living things leave behind droppings, substances that an organism is unable to break down and make use of to keep itself alive.

 

This odor is not instantaneously noticeable. It only becomes apparent over time, with the build-up of bacteria and thus the build-up of droppings. These microorganisms are constantly multiplying, so if a person delays washing himself for too long, more and more bacteria are producing waste and the odor assaults our senses. Workout clothes left sitting around for many days, especially if they are not hung to dry, will become smelly for the same reason.

 

Over the past several years, my husband and I have found it ever more difficult to enjoy a good meal at a restaurant, but not because of people’s body odor. Rather, the problem is instead that so many people nowadays wear perfume (if a woman) or cologne (if a man).

 

It is extremely unappetizing to try to eat when various non-food scents, pleasant as they might possibly be in a different setting, are filling the air around you. If I were writing a book of etiquette, the first rule would be to never wear perfume/cologne to a restaurant or anywhere food is going to be served (parties, office meetings, etc.).

 

I would also suggest that restaurants should never be using anything but fragrance-free hand soaps. Have you ever washed your hands at a restaurant and then tried to eat a sandwich with hands reeking of fragrance that masked the appetizing aromas of the food?

 

Lamentably, restaurants are not the only venue where the odors of fragrances abound. Hotel rooms and lobbies, and even some doctors’ offices, can be strong-smelling, thanks to devices that shoot aerosols into the air “to make it smell nice”. There should be absolutely no need of these products in such places because they are supposed to be clean.

 

Even many retail establishments make a point to fill the air with strong fragrances, undoubtedly because they know many people have been deluded into thinking that perfumed air equates to “fresh” air. But it isn’t.

 

Surprisingly, when my husband and I are trying to enjoy the actual fresh air of the outdoors, we are often subjected to the perfume/cologne of joggers passing by. As someone who jogged for more than 35 years, I can state with confidence that the wearing of fragrances to exercise was not something I ever encountered on the road or at the track.

 

There are good reasons not to wear these substances. Fragrances attract insects that feed at flowers and fruits, and you probably would prefer not to have insects hanging around you. I once wore a dress to a picnic and a yellow jacket persistently followed me around. I couldn’t understand it, and I was concerned about it going up my dress. (Yikes!!!) It finally dawned on me that I had made the mistake of putting on a mildly rose-scented body cream (I love the smell of roses).

 

Another reason not to wear scented cosmetics is that cheaper perfumes and colognes can contain toxic ingredients. Think petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are chemicals derived from petroleum or other fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. The huge multitude of products made with these chemicals is astounding. Paints, electronics, tires, bedding, housewares, clothing, and toys are just the tip of the iceberg.

 

While these products can entail problems for the Earth because they are difficult to dispose of, perfumes pose a different dilemma for people. These substances can be carcinogenic. Substances applied to your skin or inhaled through your nose can be absorbed into your body, entering your blood stream and getting carried to your organs.

 

In antiquity, perfume makers used plant-based oils as the “carrier” for natural fragrances. For example, olive oil and almond oil were readily available in ancient Greece and Rome and thus were employed as the method of delivery for the delightful scents of flowers and other plant-derived products.

However, the use of natural substances in perfume does not always guarantee a product is safe for humans, and only the most expensive perfumes nowadays are made using natural fragrances. Less expensive ones use mostly synthetic fragrances, some of which are derived from petroleum, and others of which have such hazardous properties as the ability to accumulate in human tissues.

 

Although research is ongoing about the effects of both natural and synthetic fragrances upon human health, my thought is that you can never go wrong following Mother Nature’s lead. “She” doesn’t bombard us with fragrances. Fresh air (when unpolluted) is enjoyable of its own accord. Of course, we love the scents of many kinds of flowers, and thus stop to enjoy a quick whiff as we move on by. But that’s it—a short inhalation of fragrance that is unlikely to be problematic for our bodies.

 

The wearing of manmade perfumes and colognes, on the other hand, means breathing in these volatile substances for quite some time. And for bystanders, it can be just as unpleasant and unappreciated to be exposed to someone’s perfume/cologne for a long time as it is to be exposed to the smoke of a smoker. It could possibly be just as dangerous for them as well.

 

In days of yore, it made sense for people to take the scents of nature to make perfumes in which to envelop themselves. Today, it’s not necessary, and we know it could pose a risk to our health. One thing I know for sure: Perfumes and colognes can certainly ruin date night!

 

NATURE ADVICE: 

People think of yellow jackets as “pests” when these insects show up to share food, such as fruits, that folks are eating outside. Therefore, if you don’t want these insects flying around you even when you aren’t eating, avoid wearing fragrances that mimic the sweet scents of flowers and fruits.