There are deep and mysterious relationships among the soil, water, sunlight, and air, and the bodies of plants that absorb and transform these elements. There are wondrous alchemies in the transmutation of these elements by plants into foods, medicines, and fragrances.

An aromatic plant creates its fragrance from nutrients of the soil and its symbiotic microbial ecologies. When we breathe that perfume, we are breathing the breath of the living soil.

An aromatic plant creates its fragrance from radiant solar energy, in a biorhythm set in motion by the sun, moon, and stars. When we breathe that perfume, we are breathing the breath of the celestial heavens.

An aromatic plant creates its fragrance from springs, dew, rains, snowmelt, and underground streams. When we breathe that perfume, we are breathing the breath of the living waters.  

An aromatic plant creates its fragrance from wind and breezes. When we breathe that perfume, we are breathing the breath of the sky. 

There are deep and mysterious relationships among the movement of the heavens, the environmental elements, the aromatic molecules created by the plants, and the atmosphere that is their medium of travel.

There is a deep and mysterious relationship between the atmosphere and the human breath.

There are deep and mysterious relationships among the aromatic molecules traveling through the atmosphere, the human breath, and the neurochemical changes that occur as fragrances enter the brain.

There is a deep and mysterious relationship between the neurochemical changes created by the aromatic molecules in the brain, and the effects these have on consciousness.

There are deep and mysterious relationships among the movements of consciousness, the fluctuations of mentation, and the flow of time and space.

Ultimately these are one living mystery, from the movement of the heavens to the creation of reality by the human mind. Knowing this, we can purify the world.

Putrid, fetid, rancid, noxious, repulsive, and unpleasant odors arise from conditions of poverty and hunger, war and violence, ignorance and unawareness, lack of sanitation, and toxic pollution. They are the breath of pathogens, the smell of epidemics, and the scent of death. They cause unhappiness, agitation, aggression, and dullness in the human mind.

Fresh, clean, attractive, enjoyable, and pleasant smells arise from conditions of environmental stewardship and ecological balance, sanitation and cleanliness, social and spiritual wellbeing. They are the breath of health and the scent of vitality. They cause happiness, serenity, compassion, and greater awareness in the human mind.

To transform the growing realms of human misery to realms of happiness and fulfillment of human potential, we must now wisely cooperate to plant gardens perfumed with beautiful fragrances and living pharmacies of aromatic medicines.

Humanity does not need more weapons. It needs balms of lavender, rose, and neroli that promote peaceful sleep, reduce stress and tension, calm anxiety and nervousness, pacify irritation and anger, and free the mind from depression and fear.

The world does not need more disease-causing toxic chemicals and mutated biological experiments, concocted in secrecy and spread across the globe in defiance of scientific reason, human sanity, public health, and democratic process. It needs unguents of frankincense and vetiver that cool fevers and inflammation. It needs elixirs of osha, rosemary, and ginger that stimulate and strengthen the immune system, and purifying essences of pine, fir, spruce, and cedar that disinfect the mucous membranes. It needs salves of helichrysum, chamomile, and champa  that cure skin diseases.

Society does not need more electronic gadgets, microwave-based communication systems, high-tech entertainment devices, faster computers, and fancier software. We need to anoint each other with fragrances that promote emotional openness, quiet the mind, build inner strength, overcome isolation, enhance intimacy, and support truthful communication. We need noble aphrodisiacs of sandalwood, jasmine, and lotus that help men transform pathological lust into passionate love, and help women transform their fear and hatred of men’s violence, aggression, and stupidity into nourishing powerful sensuality.       

When peaceful cities are blessed with myriad sweet floral scents, when healthy forests are filled with balsamic coniferous perfumes, when farms are enveloped in the earthy aromas of healthy soil and robust crops, when homes are infused with temple essences that bring joy and tranquility, we will understand why the ancients taught that plants were gifts from heaven.

Published with the kind permission of David Crow

David Crow, L.Ac. is an acupuncturist and herbalist with over twenty years experience, a health educator, and a meditation teacher. He is the author of “In Search of the Medicine Buddha,” a book about his studies of Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine in the Himalayas. He is the founder of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures, which supports ecologically sustainable agriculture through the production of essential oils and aromatic products. David has presented his vision of grassroots healthcare, preservation of botanical medicines, and the use of plants for ecological restoration to hundreds of audiences, ranging from small private groups to conferences and lecture halls, to a panel discussion with the Dalai Lama broadcast internationally to millions of viewers. He can be contacted at http://www.floracopeia.com

Copyright © 2006 David Crow. All rights reserved.