Have you ever left church service with a headache or an asthma flare-up? Or been in bed for two days afterwards because the artificial scents at church were more than you could handle?
If not, be THANKFUL! Today, I’d like to be the voice for your sister friends who don’t want to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad, even though you would like to know if you were causing them harm, right? So it’s time to clear the air.
Last week, one of my clients, a pastor’s wife who has asthma, had to miss nursing home ministry and evening services due to exposure to strong synthetic fragrances people were wearing. When I spoke with her, she was still struggling 4 days later. Besides what she already does to combat exposure, she has spent more money on a wearable air purifier to help minimize her reaction in an effort to minister where she is called.
Another client, the week before, was in bed for 2 days, causing her to miss church after a friend came to dinner wearing lotion from Bath & Body Works.
Now I realize the majority of women are still unaware of the harm these lab-created fragrances can cause, and truly mean no harm. Wouldn’t you agree that our personal choices have an impact on those around us?
While you may love to wear scented lotions, perfumes, or use strong-smelling hair products as a form of self-expression or self-care, it’s crucial to be mindful of the effects these toxic products can have on your sister friends with specific health concerns.
Women dealing with asthma, MTHFR mutations, respiratory issues, and autoimmune diseases often face heightened sensitivity to these synthetic fragrances. These conditions can turn a whiff of perfume into a significant health challenge, leading to symptoms like migraines, asthma attacks, chronic fatigue, extreme lethargy, and flare-ups of chronic pain.
Circumstances Only Become Real When They are Experienced Personally
For you, what was intended as a personal fashion choice has now become a stumbling block, impeding a sister friend’s ability to worship, participate in ministries to which they are called, or even care for their families in the daily routine.
You know what I’m talking about! That woman who comes into the enclosed classroom, and all you can smell is her perfume. What about that teen girl who used all of those hair products to get the perfect look, but you can smell her three pews away. Or you open the restroom door, and the aroma of someone who has left is still lingering.
Now, I’m not saying scents in the church are wrong. In Exodus 30:34-38, God gives Moses instructions on how to make a perfume, his signature scent, and no one else was to recreate it. God loves scents and gave us the delightful sense of smell.
The difference is that plants were used to create his, and I'm referring to toxic concoctions made in a laboratory that mimic the effects of plants. The body is a natural being designed to process natural plants.
Romans 12:10 encourages us to, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." This scripture reminds us that part of our Christian duty is to be considerate of others' needs, even when it requires us to make small sacrifices.
May Our Awareness and Kindness Create Spaces Where All Can Breathe Easy and Feel Loved
In this spirit of love and consideration, let us embrace the call to be mindful of our choices. Our fragrance choices offer an excellent opportunity to show love and concern for the well-being of others, ensuring we don’t unintentionally cause harm or hinder another's purpose or ministry.
Here are 5 thoughtful tips and alternatives to consider for clearing the air at church:
1. Choose Unscented Products: Opt for fragrance-free lotions and hair products, which are becoming more widely available. You'll find that this small change can make a massive difference to someone sensitive to scents.
2. Explore Natural Solutions: Essential oils, in moderation, can offer a pleasing aroma without the harsh chemicals found in synthetic fragrances. Just be sure to choose high-quality oils and use them sparingly. Try organic perfumes like Wyld Notes.
3. Air It Out: Applying mildly scented products hours before heading to church allows time for the fragrance to soften and dissipate.
4. Create Awareness: Let’s open a dialogue about this topic in our women's groups or Bible studies, increasing awareness and understanding.
5. Unplug the Plug-ins: Ask the staff to replace toxic air fresheners with safe, natural ones.
Ladies, let’s not be like the spikenard in the alabaster box where our fragrance fills the room and lingers long after we’re gone! Our scent should be on our person, and only those who hug us will be able to smell it. Let us create an atmosphere where everyone can minister and worship, without fear of having to leave service or, even worse, make a trip to the ER.
Curious to learn more about why toxic fragrances are harmful? My guide 7 Reasons Why I Ditched Candles explains more.
*Thank you for reading! I want to be transparent that some links on this site are affiliate links. This means if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support my mission of providing biblical and natural health insights to busy homemakers like yourself. Thank you for being so supportive!
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