Scent and Psyche - The influence of scent on human Psyche

Abstract: The history of the scent of plants containing essential oils in the course of the developement of medicine was accompanied by magic, belief in witchcraft, and religion. The belief in demons and gods and the ignorance about the cause of diseases resulted in the idea that strong smelling plants and incenses could swart ill-making evil spirits and demons, reconcile gods or prevent the effects of bad vapours. The scent of essential oil containing plants has played an important role until the Middle Ages, also in the prehistoric, very advanced civilizations of Egypt, China, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, India and Arabia were their psychogenic effects and very therapeutic actions were used. Clinical proof of the therapeutic efficacy of scent is still forthcoming. In this review the role of the scent on human behaviour and new findings on the pharmacological effects of scents on the central and the vegetative nervous system are presented.

Keyword(s): History

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