Quick guide to aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is said to come from the French word ‘ aromatherapie’, which was first coined by French chemist Gattefosse in the 1930s. Gattefosse created a system of aromatherapy that was based on modern scientific thought and experimentation. He developed aromatherapy as a medically based therapy utilizing essential oils. The properties of essential oils were proven and researched and could be seen as equal to conventional drugs of the time. There have been four basic strands of aromatherapy developed since that time, medical aromatherapy, popular and esoteric aromatherapy, holistic aromatherapy and the scientific study of fragrance.

Medical aromatherapy has no real approved definition, but is a style of aromatherapy practiced by doctors in France. They have opened up the clinical treatment of infectious diseases using essential oils.

Holistic aromatherapy works on a holistic level by addressing the physical body, mind, and soul. It aims at treating the whole person, and not just exclusively on the symptoms.With the use of essential oil and massage a healing process is developed.

Popular aromatherapy associated with feel good therapy, involves the two senses that are often neglected in today's society, touch and smell. The therapeutic implication of aromatherapy has given commercial advantage to hair and skin products because they contain essential oils. But they will not have the efficacy of essential oils used by a professional aromatherapist.

In esoteric aromatherapy you must understand the “ healing art’’ aspect of aromatherapy, develop standards for the quality of essential oils, and be well trained. True aromatherapists are a elite group that incorporate holistic principals to the use of essential oils with massage, a therapist-client relationship and having a realization of the complexity of the problem of illness and ill health.

The scientific study of fragrance a research into the olfactory perception states that only a few molecules are needed to have a substantial effect, such as the recreation of memories and associations. Smell has a powerful influence on the central nervous system. Researchers are discovering that fragrances can and do influence mood, evoke emotions, counteract stress and reduce blood pressure. It was found that there is a connection between the brain and the sense of smell. The use of essential oils have an influence on hormonal response due to the influence on the hypothalamus (part of the autonomic nervous system) and may also influence the cortical areas of the brain that are associated with memory and learning.

The ultimate direction of aromatherapy is not known, it has been suggested by some that in order to be respected and acknowledged by conventional Western medicine, it will have to show substantial and replicable clinical evidence that the use of essential oils do have an effect on our own health and well being.