Scent and Memory

The aroma of bread baking on Sunday morning. The scent of a cologne or perfume worn by a love interest. The familiar smells of the holidays. All of these bring memories to the forefront and solidify the nose as one of our favorite sense organs.

What do Yoga and Ayurveda have to say about our sense of smell?

As one of the five senses, we have the ability to differentiate between many different types of scents. The senses of smell and taste are very much connected too which is why losing the sense of smell often results in loss of appetite as well.

The olfactory nerve travels into the brain very close to the memory center. This is why a certain scent triggers a memory that can transport you to an earlier time. For example, the scent of lily of the valley takes me back to my front yard in Chicago where these lovely little flowers were planted.

Yoga and Ayurveda suggest that we care for our nose in very specific ways:

Neti pot has become quite popular in recent years, especially in areas with high allergens. Truly anyone can benefit from the practice as it can make our nose more sensitive to the variety of scents it will encounter. This little pot looks like a genie bottle with a long spout. Gently pour salt water in one nostril so it flows out the other side. Blow the nose and repeat on the other side. I use mine every morning without fail. And if you are outside all day, you might like using it at night too to wash the allergens away. Look for some instructional videos on YouTube.

Oiling the nose is nice if you tend to get dry nasal passages, especially in the winter months. Sesame oil is a good choice because it is all natural and not too heavy. You can also order Nasya Oil online, a specially formulated sesame oil also that has essential oils and herbs cooked into it. Place a drop or two into each nostril, sniff strongly to draw it in, then gently massage the outside of the nose. This is best done in the morning or afternoon, but not at night because the oil can go into the lungs when you’re lying down.

A scent workout for your nose is helpful in keeping your sense of smell more discriminating. I like to use bottles of essential oils, but you can gather other smells like fruits, spices, herbs, flowers, etc. Choose 5-10 different types of scents: flowery, sweet, hot, spicy, woodsy. Close your eyes as you smell each one; when you can’t see your nose’s abilities become sharper. You might practice with a friend who can mix them up and see if you can guess which one you’re smelling.

May your sense of smell and memory stay sharp!