I started my Language of Scent exercise with Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). Picked randomly. I almost put it back because it's obviously minty - what more can I say? Ah, but I did the exercise and:
- 0:00 was minty, sweet, and then what I thought was gasoline? mothballs? definitely sassafras!
- 0:15 less minty, more chemically (what is that scent!?)
- 0:45 mothballs & sassafras (I think that is called phenolic?).
I also discovered another book: The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing Paperback by Margaret Ann Lembo. She describes Wintergreen's fragrance as "medicinal, penetrating, strong". (p. 284). I think what she describes as "medicinal" is what I first described as "chemically" (not sure if that is a word, but spell check thinks it is.)
How I would classify Wintergreen: minty, sweet, medicinal.
Lembo's book is pretty special. She lists what she believes to be the color, chakra(s), astrological sign(s), planet(s), number(s), animal(s), element(s), gemstone(s), and spiritual use(s) of 60 of the most common essential oils. I find myself gravitating towards books and sites that stress the spiritual and vibrational aspects of aromatherapy. The author does delve into the physical, mental, and emotional uses for these oils, but her book is more focused on metaphysics. I definitely plan on incorporating her findings in my work.
