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The olfactory journey described in this book introduces readers to the pleasures and benefits of educating and training the 'nose', our olfactory palate. Jennifer Peace Rhind explores the process of cultivating our sense of smell and demonstrates how the process itself can be therapeutic and enjoyable, as well as informative. She highlights the different skills involved, from olfactory vocabulary, awareness, and memory, through to discrimination and fragrance creation, and the activities that can help to acquire them, emphasizing the value of experiential learning. She describes the Japanese art of koh-do or the 'way of incense' and suggests ways of creating group events inspired by this. Based on her twenty five years' experience working with essential oils and aromatic plant extracts, she also leads the reader through a variety of scent families, with information on the botanical source, odour profiles, olfactory notes, and suggestions for comparison with other scents.This method of educating and training the 'nose' is fascinating, challenging and life-enhancing and will be of interest to anyone eager to develop their sense of smell, and of incalculable use to aromatherapy students and practitioners who must acquire these skills for their career.
List of contents
Acknowledgements. Part 1. Listening to Scent. 1.1. Introduction - why cultivate your sense of smell? 1.2. The language of scent. 1.3. Olfactory sensitivity and perception. 1.4. Discrimination. 1.5. Olfactory memory and the reasoning process. 1.6. The first steps. 1.7. How to conduct sensory exercises. 1.8. Odour families. 1.9. In the spirit of koh-do. 1.10. Reflections on the olfactory journey. Part 2. Olfactory profiles. 2.1. Balsamic family: Labdanum, Opopanax, Tolu balsam, Vanilla. 2.2. Woody family: Guaiacwood, Sandalwood, Virginian cedarwood. 2.3. Spicy family: Caraway seed, Carrot seed, Clove bud, Nutmeg. 2.4. Coniferous family: Scots pine, Siberian fir. 2.5. Herbaceous family: Clary sage, Laurel leaf, Lavender, Thyme. 2.6. Medicated family: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Wintergreen. 2.7. Green family: Galbanum, Violet Leaf. 2.8. Agrestic family: Hay, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Tobacco leaf. 2.9. Floral family: Champaca, Frangipani, Genet, Jasmine, Linden blossom, Mimosa, Narcissus, Orange blossom, Osmanthus, Pink lotus, Rose, Ylang ylang. 2.10. Fruity family: Blackcurrant bud, Roman chamomile, Tagetes. 2.11. Citrus family: Bergamot, Cédrat, Mandarin. Part 3. An experiential programme of study. 3.1. Re-set your nose with scents in the natural world. 3.2. Stimulate your senses with an olfactory culinary experience. 3.3. Immerse yourself in the world of aromatic plant extracts. Appendix 1. Odour types and characteristics encountered in aromatic plant extracts. Appendix 2. Some notes on chemistry. Appendix 3. Building accords. Glossary. References. Bibliography for Odour Profiles. Further reading. Recommended suppliers of aromatic materials.
About the author
Jennifer Peace Rhind is a Chartered Biologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Strathclyde and qualifications in massage and aromatherapy.
She has worked in flavour research and product development, as a therapist and partner in a multidisciplinary complementary healthcare clinic, in education and course development, and as a lecturer in Higher Education. She is an author, writer, mentor and essential oils consultant.
She lives in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
