Few things are as relaxing and soothing as a visit to a sauna. The infusion is the absolute highlight for many people. Cold water or ice cubes are poured onto the sauna heater, increasing the temperature and humidity in the sauna. The circulation really gets going during the infusion, and the heat loosens the muscles. The icing on the cake of the sauna infusion is the right sauna fragrance. But how do the different fragrances actually work and what do you have to bear in mind when using them?
How do scents work in the brain?
Fragrances have a direct effect on our limbic system without any detours. The limbic system is responsible for our emotions and consequently controls various metabolic processes. Through the limbic system, both positive and negative emotions are transformed into physical processes. The stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system during flight or fight reactions is controlled via the limbic system in the same way as the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system when we are relaxed and completely calm. Different scents have a very different effect on the limbic system and stimulate both the parasympathetic and the sympathetic nervous system. This creates a very fine tuning - a sensual scent stimulates a different physical and mental response than a calming scent or an invigorating fragrance.
Room scent in the studio - goodbye sweaty smell!
Fragrance families - properties and combinations
In the classical scent theory, scents are divided into different scent families. This classification is not standardized, therefore the number varies between 6 and 14 different fragrance families. Each individual fragrance, in addition to its specific smell, also unfolds a certain bouquet of feelings, moods and associations and has a different effect on body and mind.
Aromatic scents
This fragrance family is characterized by its herbaceous, spicy aromas. Aromatic fragrances have quite a masculine character in the course of fragrance due to leathery or woody aspects. Aromatic fragrances have an invigorating, stimulating effect and go well with spicy, woody and fruity scents.
Fragrance examples: Castoreum, amber, musk, civet, leather, tobacco, coffee.
Fruity fragrances
Fruity fragrances are particularly fresh, they have a vibrant and enticing effect in an unobtrusive way. They have a stimulating and invigorating effect, the distinctive aromatic sweetness harmonizes excellently with floral scents and green fragrances, but also adds a pleasant depth to aromatic, spicy or woody scents.
Fragrance examples: Peach, blackberry, black currant, kiwi, plum, green apple, melon.
Spicy fragrances
Spicy fragrances get their character from any kind of spices such as clove, pepper, cinnamon or chili, many spicy fragrances belong to the tart, more masculine fragrances and can be ideally combined with aromatic and woody fragrances. However, this fragrance family is particularly complex: vanilla also belongs to the spicy fragrances, this fragrance note thereby belongs to the classically feminine fragrances. At the same time, spicy fragrances add depth and complexity to fruity or floral scents. Spicy fragrances have a stimulating and energizing effect.
Fragrance examples: Coriander, anise, ginger, clove, clove pepper, rosemary, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mint, fennel.
Woody fragrances
Woody scents also belong to masculine fragrances. They are an ideal base for more complex fragrances. Typical is the scent of sandalwood or cedar, also pine and patchouli belong to the woody scents. This fragrance family has a sensual and relaxing effect and can be combined very well with spicy and aromatic scents. In combination with floral scents, a pleasantly complex depth of fragrance is created.
Fragrance examples: Benzoin Siam, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Cedarwood, Elemi.
Floral fragrances
Floral fragrances are the largest fragrance family, they appear elegant and timeless. Due to the sheer volume of floral fragrances, this fragrance family is often divided into further subfamilies. Floral-floral fragrances are classic notes such as rose, lily of the valley or jasmine, floral-aldehydic fragrances are above all very sweet fragrances, floral-green fragrances seem more fruity and have a certain spiciness, floral-spicy fragrances are very intense, heavy fragrances. Floral fragrances can be combined with all other fragrance families, resulting in a whole spectrum of effects and sensory impressions.
Fragrance examples: Pelargonium, jasmine, rose, hyacinth, freesia, lavender, mimosa, lily of the valley, neroli, tuberose, violet, ylang-ylang.
Citrus scents
Citrus fragrances have a stimulating and invigorating effect, they are particularly fresh. Citrus scents include all citrus fruit scents, i.e. lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit, but also bergamot. Citrus scents have a mood-lifting effect, they simply put you in a good mood and can be combined very well. With heavy, spicy and aromatic fragrances, however, caution is advised, here the citrus note can disturb more than help.
Fragrance examples: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Bergamot, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena, Tangerine, Blood Orange.
Herbaceous fragrances
Herbaceous scents are - as the name suggests - all kinds of herbal scents. These include sage and lavender, but also fragrance blends such as alpine or mountain herbs, grass, foliage or hay. Herbaceous scents have a calming and harmonizing effect, they go very well with aromatic, woody and spicy scents, depending on the application, and bring a pleasant lightness here, floral and fruity scents get a greater depth and a relaxing, soothing overtone by mixing with this family of scents. Herbaceous fragrances are also known as "green fragrances".
Scent examples: Grasses, moss, citronella, iris root, oak moss, lavender, laurel, sage, tobacco leaves, tonka bean, vetiver, violet leaf, juniper berry, cypress.
Powdery scents
Powdery scents have a dry, sweet character and are strongly associated with femininity. They appear very soft and have a sensual, relaxing note. Powdery scents are often combined with floral scents, fruity scents also fit very well. Combinations with harsh, masculine fragrances should be avoided.
Fragrance examples: Honey, caramel, sugar, almond blossom, chocolate.
Aquatic fragrances
Aquatic fragrances are reminiscent of summer, sun, beach and sea, salty, rather tart scents dominate here. Depending on the combination, aquatic fragrances have a very calming and relaxing effect, while in combination with fruity and citrus fragrances they have an invigorating and stimulating effect.
Fragrance examples: Sea salt, seaweed, algae, camphor, spearmint, niauli.
Oriental fragrances
Oriental fragrances are particularly warm, strong and opulent, they have a sensual, stimulating effect. Oriental fragrances usually describe a combination of spicy and floral scents as their own fragrance family. Cinnamon, vanilla and rose are characteristic notes in oriental fragrance compositions. The oriental fragrance family is always created by combining several fragrances from other families.
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Conclusion
A wide variety of scent combinations can be created from the different scent families. Many sauna fragrances are already available for purchase as rounded fragrance blends. Depending on the type of fragrance, different effects unfold. The type of effect can be divided into the basic effects of calming/relaxing scents, sensual/stimulating scents and invigorating/refreshing scents. With the right sauna fragrance, a pleasant experience becomes a fragrance journey with an addictive factor.
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Editors fitnessmarkt.de (DG)
Photo credit: #247194144 Prostock-studio / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 5 February 2020