Let’s Talk About Fragrance…

Let’s talk about artificial and synthetic fragrance!!

<A gateway into PETROchemicals and petroleum distillates>

Our current global and social biome is rife with petroleum distillates. Personal physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances, along with social and cultural imbalances, have increased significantly over the last 100+ years. There seems to be a correlation between petroleum and these imbalances.

In my personal quest for wellness over the past 40 years, I have come to understand that I should use only petrochemicals in my machines, including gasoline, diesel, and lubricants. Yet I have sadly learned that petrochemicals have quietly permeated many products in the “super industrial market” as artificial fragrances, flavors, colors, textiles & drugs.

Labels generally state clearly when products contain artificial fragrance and flavor. This provides an opportunity to opt for products with a more natural base – a way to vote with our hard-earned money, the precious time we give our lives to.

Many of our vegetables, fruits, and grains are grown using petrochemical fertilizers and are often treated with petrochemical insecticides and pesticides. These foods can be further treated with petrochemical preservatives to extend “shelf life” and may even be treated with artificial color to appear appealing and more natural. Some of these seemingly healthier choices (instead of processed foods) are as detrimental to our personal health as they are to the general health of our Mother Earth’s biome. 

These foods are often wrapped in plastic when purchased. Sometimes they are cooked in Teflon-coated pots and pans (a substance known to be toxic to living organisms). Leftovers are then stored in plastic containers.

Pet kibbles include artificial color, preservatives, and flavor. Over-the-counter drugs have artificial color and flavor, and frequently the drugs themselves are derived from chemically engineered petroleum distillates. WHOA!!

It is also disheartening to note that many essential oils on the common market contain synthetic chemical compounds. DANG!

As science is proving, “nature deficit” is now becoming the source of a multitude of human disorders. As an informal aromatherapist, I have much first, second, third & fourth hand experience to be able to state factually, nature based scents/sense assist the health of all four of our bodies: physical, mental, emotional & spiritual. One of the many good seasons to choose Nature as feasibly possible over industry. Consider aromatics as gateways to perception…

Examples of common products containing artificial fragrance/color:

• Soap and shampoo
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Shoe inserts
• Perfume
• Cosmetics and lotions
• Aerosol fresheners
• Aerosol cleaners
• Public toilets
• Car “fresheners” (things that dangle from rearview mirrors) 
• Plug-in diffusers
• Scented candles
• Wicking sticks in fragrance oil
• “Potpourri” (fake flowers with fragrance balls)

Once we understand what ingredients make up a product, choosing petroleum-free goods becomes much easier.

Petrochemicals have literally enveloped our bodies through synthetic fibers – nylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, acrylic, and spandex – dyed with artificial colors and regularly washed with artificial detergents infused with artificial fragrance. YIKES!!

Even our homes are shaped by petrochemicals: pressboard held together with synthetic adhesives, petrochemical paint, Formica counters, vinyl flooring, polyester carpeting with polyester padding, furniture stuffed with polyester and upholstered in nylon or vinyl, and closets full of synthetic clothing (known to disrupt personal electromagnetic field sometimes called aura.) 

A small fire in the home can spread rapidly, as everything listed above is highly flammable. When these products burn, noxious, toxic gases are released that are poisonous to any biological being.

Synthetic chemicals are derived from petroleum distillates.
Artificial fragrances, flavors, colors, textiles are derived from synthetic chemicals.

The industrial drive of a petrochemical-based economy continues to proliferate trauma in all ways, shapes, and forms. And yet, ways to move forward in our personal lives to recollect cross-cultural, beneficent living (including non-human people) can be simple. We can give care to our bodies, our environments, and our communities by simply engaging with regionally grown food and by taking time to learn about the ancestral altar of our physical bodies and our fundamental, historic needs. Imagine ALL of the amazing technologies humans have created to this day being engaged for cross-cultural service, including the non-human world. The Earth is our Mother, making all of Her creation family. Yes, one person can make a difference!!