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Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy | Main Branches

What is Aromatherapy

Though aromatherapy has become a household term, it is not Glade Bathroom Freshener, as TV would lead you to believe. Aromatherapy is the science of using pure, unadulterated botanical oils to affect the physiology and the emotions. Pure essential oils can balance emotions, clarify the mind, energize the body and connect us to well-being. When properly used, aromatherapy profoundly promotes health.

Aromatherapy, commonly associated with complementary and alternative medicine, is the use of volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health. Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs.

The minute molecules of essential oils are readily absorbed via the olfactory sense, which reacts faster than any of the other senses, as well as through the skin – the body’s largest organ. Aromatherapy is considered as a form of complementary and alternative medicine designed to treat the whole person rather than just the symptoms or the disease. It assists and supports the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.

Today, aromatherapy is one of the most popular of all complementary therapies, offering a wide range of highly effective treatments to both the acute and chronic stages of illness and disease. Clinical aromatherapy, or aromatic medicine, is practiced extensively in France, England, Germany and Switzerland. Regular use of aromatherapy treatments and home-use products can help to strengthen the immune system, thereby establishing a preventative approach to overall health.

The effect of aromas was obviously recognized from early times as the practice of aromatherapy goes back many thousands of years. However, the word “aromatherapy” first appeared in the 1920’s in an article by famous French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé. One day, Gattefossé scalded his hand whilst working in his laboratory and instinctively immersed it in pure lavender oil. The burn healed much quicker than expected, leaving no scars, and this remarkable event inspired him to devote all his energies for the rest of his life to the scientific exploration of essential oils and their healing properties.

Gattefossé is therefore referred to as the founder of modern aromatherapy and an inspiration to other researchers who have taken aromatherapy to a new level of appreciation.

Aromatherapy reaches beyond the usual understanding of the word “therapy”, namely the treating of diseases or disorders by medical or physical means. Aromatherapy is considered as preventive care. In essence, it provides a whole new way of life. Research shows that through aromatherapy the immune system is strengthened, affecting the organs and their functions, as well as our emotions, our thinking and even our appearances.

When using aromatherapy for the treatment or prevention of disease, a precise knowledge of the bioactivity and synergy of the essential oils used, knowledge of the dosage and duration of application, as well as, naturally, a medical diagnosis, are required. Consider consulting professional aromatherapists and naturopaths for treatment regiments and to learn more about applications. For referrals, call holistic or integrative medical clinics in your area.

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Main Branches of Aromatherapy

The main branches of aromatherapy include:

• Home aromatherapy (self treatment, perfume & cosmetic use)
• Clinical aromatherapy (as part of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy by a trained practitioner)
• Aromachology (psychology of odors and their effects on the mind)

Learn more: Find out how aromatherapy works.

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