Cooking and eating together as a family have some unexpected health benefits. Research shows that kitchen aromas reduce anxiety and stress! Imaging that, the smell of cookies or freshly baked bread being good for you! Studies have shown that aromas can increase the oxygen uptake of the brain by almost 30%.
Such an increase in brain oxygen can lead to an increased level of activity in the brain, which can have dramatic effects not only on emotions, learning, and attitude, but also on many physical processes of the body, such as immune function, hormone balance, and energy levels. WOW!
Aromatherapy has been practiced for thousands of years. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
Fragrance effect
When inhaled through the nose, odor stimulates the brain to release chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, which can reduce pain, create a sense of euphoria, and relax and energize both mind and body. Inhaled through the nose, fragrances have a powerful effect on our state of mind and physical well-being. Bring on the cinnamon! Mary Capone shares some ideas in Kitchen Therapies:
- The next time you slice a lemon, orange, or grapefruit, take a moment to inhale its fragrance. Citrus odors are great pick-me-ups. They trigger the brain to produce the neurochemical encephalins which creates euphoria and induces a feeling of well-being. In addition, the scent of orange comforts the lonely; lemon keeps you alert; and grapefruit acts as a mild pain reliever.
- Bake an apple pie and fill your house with happiness and serenity. The scent of green apples has been found to have a tranquilizing effect helping to reduce stress and anxiety. For an important dinner guest, bake a batch of cinnamon rolls. The scent of these freshly baked rolls have been found to be an aphrodisiac.
- Your spice cabinet has medicinal remedies for what ails you. The next time you need an extra dose of confidence or courage, add cinnamon sticks and cloves to a pot of lightly boiling water and make a potpourri. Cinnamon helps relieve anxiety and cloves make you feel less vulnerable and afraid. The aroma of fresh ginger root stimulates digestion, while grated nutmeg sprinkled in dishes can help treat sore muscles and depression.
- Buy a bouquet of aromatic flowers [place them in a vase on your kitchen table] on your kitchen table and smell them frequently as you pass. Roses can stimulate happiness, ease depression, and relieve stress. Add jasmine to your bouquet to restore a love of life and geraniums to balance hormones.
- Growing a garden of herbs on your kitchen windowsill or outdoors can spice up your life as well as your palate. When gathering fresh herbs for your recipe take a moment to break off the ends of the leaves and inhale.
- Basil is a great mental stimulant and uplifts the troubled mind and heart.
- Chamomile, used in a bowl of steaming water, is good for sunburns, acne, and inflammations of the skin. Chamomile also acts as a digestive aid in tea and is a great remedy for insomnia.
- Eucalyptus has the effect of clearing the mind as well as cooling fevers. When you are suffering from a head cold, create a natural vaporizer by floating eucalyptus leaves in a steaming bowl of water. Cover your head with a towel creating a tent over the bowl and breath in.
- Lavender has so many uses that it is essential for any garden. When inhaled, lavender eases headaches, relieves stress, induces happiness, fights insomnia and irritability, helps sore joints, soothes burns, and fights persistent infections.
- Lemongrass combats exhaustion and increases concentration.
- Marjoram calms the nerves.
- Mint leaves aid digestion while alleviating cramping.
- Peppermint helps fight fatigue, forgetfulness and relieves headaches.
- Rosemary supports the nervous system.
- Spearmint eases grief.
- Thyme stimulates the immune system and is great when fighting colds.
(Available at: www.gaiam.com/retail/gai_content/learn/gai_learnArticle.assp?article_id=52. Used with permission.)
Time well spent
Whether you are peeling an orange, grating ginger, cooking with fresh herbs, or picking a rose, take a deep breath and do yourself a “flavor”.
A great book related to kitchen therapy is Aromatherapy in the Kitchen: Fragrant Foods for Body, Mind and Spirit by Melissa dale, Emmanuelle Lipsky, and Kellie Canning
Time spent with those you love is always time well spent. Not only does it draw us closer together, it heals -mind, body and spirit. When we really take time to think about what is important or what matters most in life, it all boils down to our relationship with God and others. Everything else is just fluff. Take time today.
As a helpful resource, I have lots of articles on healthy ingredients and recipes that you can implement into your daily life.
If you’d like to dig deeper into my journey of discovering God’s plan for health and wellness, check out my book, Made For Paradise: God’s Original Plan for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, and Rest.