Time traveling is one of the powers most of us would love to possess. It’s been the inspiration of countless science fiction books and films making those who control it, invincible. The ability to go back in time, either to change or re-live past events seem an impossible task, but is it? Believe it or not, the scent has that potential. It works as a time traveler machine, rewinding memories and transporting you to a different era. For a split second, you can re-visit that exact moment in time and remember. The intimate relationship between scent and memory is so powerful it contributes to its seductive quality.

Follow us @FoodvsEvil

Also: 5 Spices that fix common health problems 

Our sense of smell is by far the most developed, we subconsciously rely on it to change our mood. We react positively to the delicious aromas feeling happy, loved, relaxed and energized. On the other hand, we tend to feel angry, lonely, stressed and lethargic after smelling something unpleasant. Since the beginning, the scent has been related to power. In Egypt were originated, it was used by the elite to adorn their bodies with floral aromas. Later, the Persians, used scent as a political asset to show their status in society and government. The Greeks and Romans considered perfume a form of art and believed it should be accessible to many and not just a few.

Scent as we know it, was conceived in France in the 14th century. Who can forget Perfume: The Story of a Murderer or Das Parfum, the acclaimed novel from German author Patrick Süskind. The furor and demand for the liquid scent was so high, it started being commercially produced in the south in a city named Grasse. The oldest factories Molinard, Fragonard and Galimard are still there and receiving millions of visitors every year. Worth the trip!

There are two different types of perfume, oil based and water based. The oil based infusion is more concentrated resulting in a fragrance that last longer and is often more expensive. The water based extracts are lighter, mostly floral and tend to evaporate faster. I personally prefer oil based scents during the warmer months since they don’t absorb as quickly when diluted with sweat. The water based fragrances work well in the colder months where there’s little moisture in the air, which allows it to stay longer on the skin.

Memory & Emotions

Aromatherapy is a proven healing therapy used since ancient civilizations. It applies the power of essence to relieve stress, calm nerves and relax muscular tension. For instance, lavender oil, chamomile and mint extracts help lower cortisol levels and are recommended for people highly stressed. Other happy scents like baby powder and sunscreen are also used because they trigger good memories: babies and summer vacation. Perfumed candles, diffusers and essential oils play a pivotal role in aromatherapy and should always be present in your home to make it a sanctuary.

The reason why choosing a perfume becomes a very personal experience is because our emotions and memory are involved. That’s why some people only wear one fragrance their whole life and others love to try different ones. Scent is closely linked to personality and each unique trait comes into play when wearing a fragrance. Of course, there are crowd-pleasers which normally contain mass liked extracts such as rose, lily and musk.

Rosa Absolute Eau de Toilette by Molton Brown.

Botanical Cologne of Serenity by Le Couvent des Minimes.

Eau des Indes by Rituals.

Cyprès Mini Candle by Dyptique.

Do Son Eau de Parfum by Dyptique.

Incense Luxury Candle by Rituals.

Norell Elixir Eau de Parfum exclusively at Neiman Marcus & Bergdorf Goodman.

Tory Burch Eau de Parfum, Signature Limited Edition Bottle only at Bloomingdale’s.

Isabel Isabel Fragrance by Isabel Toledo exclusively at Lane Bryant.

Stock Image via agency