So much more than a buzzword, Aromatherapy is an ancient practice of using botanical matter for the sake of health and wellbeing.
The story of Aromatherapy began nearly 6000 years ago in a time when all 'we' had were the natural resources around us to rely upon for both nourishment and medicinal purposes. Over the centuries, cultures around the world practiced as well as researched the properties and applications turning what appeared to be primitive rituals into modern day practices. Unfortunately with the onset of the Dark Ages, society lost touch with these ancient applications and began giving credence to the more contemporary applications. That was until the 14th century when the first comprehensive document was written on infused oils in Europe, according to the Tisserand Institute.
The turn of the 17th century proved to be quite an era for the herbalists with the second coming of the plague; however, by mid-century, schooled physicians began relying primarily on chemical compounds as medicine rather than herbs and oils. Interestingly enough, the positive effects plants were having on people could not be denied and in 1887, the first laboratory test was conducted and recorded on the antibacterial properties of essential oils.
Even with this testing, the world didn't hear much about Aromatherapy until the 1920's, when a French cosmetic chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé became interested in the medicinal properties of essential oils following a small explosion in his lab while formulating perfumes. After severely burning his hand, he began treating it with lavender and not only did his hand heal quickly, it healed without developing a scar. In 1928 Gattefossé wrote an article supporting the use of essential oils as complete molecules rather than breaking them down into isolated constituents and ultimatley coined the term Aromatherapy. In 1937 he wrote a book called Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales which was later translated into English and tited Gattefossé's Aromatherapy
During World War II, the use of essential oils was virtually nonexistent with one exception, Dr. Jean Valnet. Dr. Valnet used various plant extracts as antiseptics for treating war wounds and continued using them in his medical practice long after the war was over. In 1964, Dr. Valnet published his book, Aromathérapie
By 1977; the highly respected Robert Tisserand introduced and shed light on the field of Aromatherapy to the English speaking world through articles and books like The Art of Aromatherapy. To this day, Robert Tiserand speaks and writes about, researches, and works with essential oils. His intention is to consistently bring integrity, clarity and understanding to the planet as well as honor it for the modality that it is.
Regardless of his efforts, the controversy and misunderstanding about Aromatherapy by the general public remains. The word alone alludes to smelling something for benefit and even though getting a whiff of a particular scent may help in the interim, sniffing synthetics or fragrance grade oils is of no use to anyone other than possibly assisting him or her with creating memories albeit good or bad as demonstrated by the Monell Center. What makes it even more challenging are the references made by retailers, manufacturers and media about Aromatherapy being a spa experience or ‘new’ discovery. Without a doubt, history has demonstrated, Aromatherapy, or Holistic Aromatherapy, as the use of volatile plant essences for psychological and physical wellbeing; and, depending on the reason for treatment, a practitioner is needed to make the appropriate application recommendations i.e. bath, massage and /or diffuser.
Take lavender angustifolia for example, widely known for its relaxing properties, is also highly beneficial for burns as we discovered with Gattefossé’s accident. With this in mind, would the act of simply smelling lavender assist with healing a burn? Additionally, lavender is known for its estrogen producing properties which is NOT recommended for anyone with breast cancer or the potential for even developing it.
Another interesting fact about Aromatherapy is the energetic frequency essential oils possess, as determined by Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology in 1992. Earlier in the 20th century, Dr. Royal Rife concluded that every cell, tissue, organ and disease has its own vibratory frequency. With this information, Mr.Tainio reinforced the findings of the earlier research and found that botanical extracts also have an energy range of 52 MHz to 320 MHz It was further discovered that below 62 MHz, the cells in our body begin to mutate. Continued studies showed that essential oils assist the body with maintaining a healthy frequency as it manages stress, chemicals, and poor quality food on a daily basis.
Is Aromatherapy a cureall for ailments? Not in the least; however, it does appear quality essential oils work in sync with other modalities and raise the body's ability to heal making Aromatherapy a holistic approach with a multi-dimensional influence.
Sources:
- Sense of Smell Institute
- Monell Center
- Robert Tisserand
- Journal of Medicina Plants
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Bio-Spiritual Energy Healing
- Tainio Technology
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