The invisible universe at the tip of our noses

“Smells are one of the quickest ways to change mood and emotion.” So says Dr Alan R Hirsch, founder of the Chicago-based Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, and an expert on how the senses of smell and taste (or their absence) affect our lives.

According to Dr. Hirsch, our sense of smell is connected directly to the oldest and most “primitive” part of our brains, the limbic system, and so we have little control over our reaction to smells, pleasant or unpleasant. And unfortunately, so many scents in today’s household or personal care products are actually produced by a medley of synthetic and artificial compounds. If you’ve ever done a session of cleaning where you’ve had to use mainstream products and ended up with a bit of a headache, the artificial scent could well be the reason why.

As you clean your home, take a shower, or do the laundry, wouldn’t you rather be breathing in some delicious aroma like the lavender and lemon mix of Rosalina {Melaleuca ericifolia} or the crisp scent of Peppermint {Mentha piperita}? And wouldn’t it be reassuring to know that, not only are these essential oils creating a hostile environment for bacteria and fungi, but they are also helping to boost your mood and reduce fatigue?

Who knew household chores could be a positive and pleasurable sensory experience? As Dr Hirsch observes, there’s an invisible universe at the tip of our noses.

For the past seven years, we’ve been making sure that nothing toxic or harmful goes into any product at Koala Eco. The 100% pure essential oils we use are part of our superpower cleaning ingredients of everything we make. The aromas they produce are natural, and safe around babies, animals and children, but it’s the mood and health enhancing effects these aromas bring about that we feel are particularly special. For example, Rosalina can soothe nerves, Eucalyptus helps us breathe more easily, and Rosemary can help improve focus.

If you haven’t already made the switch to products that are safe, effective, plant-derived, kind to the planet and which can also bring benefits to your emotions, don’t you think it’s time you stopped missing out?