The body's limbic system is responsible for our responses to smell and the reason why aromatherapy has continued to blossom throughout the world for thousands of years. Our olfactory receptors are connected to the limbic system, the most ancient and primitive part of the brain. Aromatherapy consists of cosmetic, massage and olfactory types and works through stimulating body systems directly connected to "learning, emotion and memory," according to the alternative medicine resource site, Natural Healers. The limbic system's response to odor is hormonally based and ultimately decides whether a scent will leave us feeling turned-off or turned-on, often literally. Pumpkin in aromatherapy seems to inspire the latter, though it is also utilized for its topical benefits.
Enhancing Male Sexual Response
Studies performed at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found that the scent of pumpkin pie and lavender increased penile blood flow in men by 40 percent. The test included men ages 18 to 64 and utilized olfactory aromatherapy, which works through a task force of 40 million scent receptors that attach short- and long-term memories to scents. Researchers stated that although the "connection between odors and sexual response can not be denied," there are numerous other factors at play including memory and neuropsychological responses.
Topical Benefits
Pumpkin seed oil is used in aromatherapy massage not only for its pleasing scent, but its skin rejuvenating qualities via high levels of essential fatty acids easily absorbed by the skin. Healthy Oil Planet also attributes an assortment of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and plant sterols, which aid in balancing cholesterol in the body, to pumpkin seed oil. As an added bonus, pumpkin seeds also contain anti-inflammatory properties that may slow the progression of arthritis, according to the World's Healthiest Foods.
Mood Manipulation
According to the authors of "Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art," real estate agents often place "a few drops of essential oil on lightbulbs" to create a mood conducive to home buying. The reason behind this possibly lies in the limbic system's emotional connection of scent to the good-willed family-oriented celebrations such as the American Thanksgiving. Of the 10 to 40,000 odors perceptible by the human nose, the scent of pumpkin is one of the most commonly used by real estate agents who aim at capitalizing on nostalgia scent responses.
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