Aroma Therapy
Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological, and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.
It was the French perfumer and chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who coined the term “aromatherapie” in 1937 with his publication of a book by that name. His book “Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy” contains early clinical findings for utilizing essential oils for a range of physiological ailments. It seems vital to understand what Gattefosses’s intention for coining the word was, as he clearly meant to distinguish the medicinal application of essential oils from their perfumery applications.
So we can interpret his coming of the word “Aromatherapie” to mean the therapeutic application or the medicinal use of aromatic substances (essential oils) for holistic healing. As the practice of aromatherapy has progressed, over the years, it has adopted a more holistic approach encompassing the whole body, mind, and spirit (energy).
“Aromatherapy is… the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for physical, and emotional health and well being.” -Valeria Cooksley
“Aromatherapy is a caring, hands-on therapy which seeks to induce relaxation, to increase energy, to reduce the effects of stress, and to restore lost balance to mind, body, and soul.” -Robert Tisserand
“Aromatherapy can be defined as the controlled use of essential oils to maintain and protect physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being.” -Gabriel Mojay
“Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and soul. It is an art, and science which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological, and spiritual of the individual’s response to aromatic sxtracts, as well as to observe, and enhance the individual’s innate healing process. As a holistic practice, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach, as well as an active method to employ during acute, and chronic stages of illness.”
Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for improving psychological or physical well-being.[1]
It can be offered as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medicine. Complementary therapy can be offered alongside standard treatment,[2] with alternative medicine offered instead of conventional, evidence-based treatments.[3]
Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological, and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.
