07/05/2026
Insight fron Nessa... life experience.
It's MCS Awareness Month in May.
"Until you try living without artificial fragrances theres no way of knowing how much they are affecting your body.
Concentration span, headaches, blocked noses, tiredness, fuzzy head, anxiety, lack of energy - all things that impact me when exposed to artificial fragrances.
As a teacher I was trained to observe behaviours and functionality of students in my class, and in the playground. As a human with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities I know from personal experience, what can happen in my body when someone enters the room with a powerful fragramce on board....
Natural products don't affect me, the scent of a lemon, a spicy curry, a rose or ripe peach, all delightful scents.
The scent of well made (ie made without the use of chemical extraction methods) essential oils are also fine, the ones made through chemical extraction are so obvious through my bodys response...and if I listen to my body, not all the big manufacturers are being honest about extraction methods.
Maybe if your wellness isn't quite right you could try 2 weeks or more without scents...put the scented candles and fragranced items in a sealed container outside. Let your body rest from them - includinf shampoos, soaps, washing up detergent etc. Give it a go, even dropping out one thing at a time will be a good experiment.
Notice, listen and observe how your body feels, you may discover a life changing aspect of artificial fragrance-free living. These chemicals disrupt our endocrine gland, which affects many hormones in the body. I'm not going to explain endocrine gland function today, but seriously recommend you read up about it. Your life will quite likely be better for what you discover.
My life will also be better if you avoid using artifi ial fragrances in my presence.
When and if you reintroduce fragranced products, do it one at a time so you can notice any effects.
Funny (but sad) fact - out bushwalking in fresh air, sometimes I can actually smell people coming by the washing powder fragrance in their clothes....and sometimes shampoo!!! It's absolutely disgusting. Of course this is amplified in cities, shops or workplaces!!! Urgh.
Give me the smell of a fresh lemon any day!!!"
