[Avodah] Aromatherapy

[Micha Berger]

There is no berakhah achronah on rei'ach, because the hana'ah from
smells doesn't linger. Unlike food, which makes you feel less hungary and
(hopefully) nourishes after you eat it.

Well, there is a whole industry today of scents one can buy for the sole
sake of their lingering effect. The intent is, for examples, to bring
a calm or an alertness that lasts beyond the length of the candle /
scented oil. (I am not saying this works or doesn't work; I never tried
it. Perhaps it's a placebo effect -- but mah bein placebo le-actual in
a case like this?)

Given this, why shouldn't a person smelling these aromas for this
purpose be chayav to make a berakhah achronah? And if so, what would
it be? Borei nefashos, and a poseiq in doubt would probably add: without
sheim umalkhus?

Another question while on the subject: Why do most people say "asher
nasan rei'ach tov lepeiros?" What other birkhas hanehenin is in lashon
avar? (There is a nusach that has "Nosein".)

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             In the days of our sages, man didn't sin unless
micha at aishdas.org        he was overcome with a spirit of foolishness.
http://www.aishdas.org   Today, we don't do a mitzvah unless we receive
Fax: (270) 514-1507      a spirit of purity.      - Rav Yisrael Salanter