by Sharon Falsetto

Created on: July 12, 2008   Last Updated: January 06, 2009

What is aromatherapy?

Origins of aromatherapy

The term aromatherapy or perhaps it is more appropriate to use the term aromatherapie', as its language of origin was French, was coined in 1928 by the French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. It was quite by accident that modern day aromatherapie' was born. Gattefosse severely burned his hand, whilst conducting research. He plunged his hand, without thinking, into the nearest container. This container held lavender (lavandula angustifolia) and, to his surprise, his hand did not scar to the extent he feared it would. Gattefosse had unwittingly discovered' the power of aromatherapy which we use today.

Of course, the roots of aromatherapy can be traced much further back in history, all the way back to ancient times. Many civilizations recognised, and used, the benefits of aromatherapy in one form or another, before the therapy emerged today in its present form. The earliest recorded use of aromatherapy can be attributed to the use of plants and plant extracts in the use of medicine and for personal hygiene in places such as India, Egypt and Greece and, later in time, the Roman Empire. However, it is likely that it was in use long before the start of record keeping.

Defining Aromatherapy

There are many definitions as to what aromatherapy is and a popular misconception is that it is a massage which uses some nice smells'; which, in fact, are essential oils. In truth, aromatherapy can be both separate and combined with massage and vice versa. In France, aromatherapy was, and still is, practiced without massage.

Broken down, the word aromatherapy divides into aroma' and therapy'.

Aroma' is defined as a pleasant and distinctive smell' (Oxford Dictionary) and is thought to be derived from the Greek aroma spice'.

Therapy' is defined as treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder' (Oxford Dictionary); again, the Greek derivative meaning healing' is therapeia'.

Therefore, aromatherapy can be described as a treatment, relieving or healing a disorder, by using pleasant or distinctive smells. However, it is much more than that. Aromatherapy is both an art and a science, seeking to achieve balance and harmony of the mind, body and spirit, by the controlled use of natural essential oils. It is basically a therapy using the aromas' of the plants, and not the use of the plants themselves. It is these aromas', which we call essential oils, which are used in aromatherapy to help with any number of ailments. There is a wide spectrum of

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