The scent of jasmine from Gardenia jasminoides is as strong as Valium (thanks, Cindy). And, although you wouldn’t think Gardenia would grow well here in the PNW, apparently there is a variety that can survive our odd summers.
Guess what I’ll be growing next year?
Nicola Griffith 
The Chinese use gardenia to scent tea. It is sometimes called the “Zen Flower.”
Cool. I guess there really is something to all that 'aromoatherapy' stuff. I love the scent of gardenias and of jasmine. That's one thing I do miss about CA – the scent of night jasmine in the spring/summer. I used to have some growing in the back. And I also used to have a huge gardenia bush in my front yard.
I want to grow some too!
It makes perfect sense that some scents alter our behaviour/influence our physiology.
Just don't start talking to me about crystals…
Of course it does. But to what degree is something I tend to underate for some reason. Won't hear me talking about crystals, but living, human energy and touch, well…. I won't start now. :)
Well, ok just this one thing since you brought it up (ha!). I meant to point you to a thing I read recently in a not-so-recent issue of the New Scientist. Did you catch this article about cells and touch? “Healing touch: the key to regenerating bodies”
“Until recently, the focus was all on “smell”: that is, on how cells respond to chemical signals such as growth factors. Biologists thought of cells as automatons that blindly followed the orders they were given. In recent years, however, it has started to become clear that the sense of touch is vital as well, allowing cells to work out for themselves where they are and what they should be doing.”
[…]
“There is still a long way to go before we fully understand how cells sense and respond to the forces on them. But it is becoming clear that the touchy-feely approach could be the key to regenerating the body.”
I thought it was pretty fascinating.