All About Aromatherapy

The term aromatherapy was first used in the 1920s by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé. Gattefossé first discovered the potential healing powers of natural oils after catching his arm on fire one day in his lab. In his attempt to put out the fire, he thrust his arm into the nearest bin of liquid, which just happened to be lavender oil. The burn healed quickly without a scar.

Aromatherapy is commonly associated with alternative healing techniques. It is the process of using natural oils as a means to alter a person's mood or health. There are three main branches of aromatherapy. The first is home aromatherapy, which is self-treatment with aromatherapy products. The second is clinical aromatherapy. Clinical aromatherapy is used as a pharmacological treatment in a clinical setting. The third branch is aromachology. Aromachology is the study of odors and their effects on the mind.

There are three common methods of aromatherapy use. The first is the use of oil as a scent. Commonly, aromatherapy oils used for this purpose are found in candle form. At the scent level, certain plant oils activate the limbic system and the emotional centers of the brain. Aromatherapy candles are believed to be beneficial in creating alternate emotions.

The second common method of aromatherapy use is as a topical treatment. When certain plant oils are applied to the skin, they activate thermal receptors and kill microbes and fungi. In many cases, natural oils are used to heal skin abrasions, just as Gattefossé used lavender oil to expedite the healing of his burn wounds.

The final common method of aromatherapy use is as an internal drug. For this purpose, natural oil medications must be prescribed. They are said to activate the immune system.

Aromatherapy, especially in the more developed countries of the world, is almost never used as the sole treatment for an ailment. Often, it is only used as a method of alternative medicine. However, many healthcare workers use aromatherapy techniques in combination with other more recognized treatments.