What Is Aromatherapy?

In the 1920's, French chemist, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, was in his science laboratory where he explored and perfected perfumes. During an experiment, Rene accidentally set fire to his arm, and in a panic, thrust his arm into a vat of the nearest cold liquid he could find. That liquid happened to be Lavender Oil, and to Rene's surprise, the pain relief he instantly experienced went far beyond the simple soothing of the cold temperature of the oil. He realized that, somehow, this oil had actively reduced his pain; then later, to even greater surprise, found that not only did his arm heal much quicker than such wounds would normally take, but that it had healed with very little scarring. The wonderful world of Aromatherapy was born!

In a nutshell, we may use the term, Aromatherapy, to describe the using of volatile liquid plant materials (Essential Oils) and various other scented components and extracts of plants to cause changes to a person's mental or physical state. These oils can be used in a variety of ways; each oil singled out as having specific affects that can reach beyond merely the personal association and appreciation of a particular smell to an individual. Some of these may be seen as directly affecting the physical (such as the use of essential oils as an antibacterial or antifungal agent), or dealing with the psychological (where oils are said to affect moods and states of mind).

Like any alternative treatment, Aromatherapy has had its fair share of debate. However, many falsely believe that Aromatherapy has been shown to be ineffective. This is not true. Firstly, the world of olfactory science and psychology (smell and the human brain and body) is still, in comparison to our knowledge of other areas of the human system, a mysterious world – even to modern science. Secondly, because of there being no economic incentives driving research into the area (in a modern era where science and medicine is increasingly a political monopoly of the major pharmaceutical industries), there has been little empirical scrutiny to make any such conclusion either way; and so, whilst it is true, in some regards, to say that contemporary empirical science has not validated aromatherapy, it has by no means invalidated it, either. In fact, the only (minimal) research that has included aromatherapy, has not been able to discount its effects, and occasionally verify them. The antifungal properties of some Essential Oils have been successfully tested; and one study on various treatments of cancer patients suggested that aromatherapy had indeed helped the patients in the easing of stress and depression, with a distinct easing of tension and discontent amongst those patients treated with Essential Oils.

Science and medicine is also largely an evolving cultural phenomenon, and attitudes on various practices often differ, from country to country. In contrast to America and Australia, in France (the nation of its origins), aromatherapy is a regulated, credited form of practice in mainstream medicine (where the testing that has occurred, not too surprisingly, has been carried out); many doctors using aromatherapy as part of their prescribed treatments, and some of the Essential Oils available only on a prescription-only basis. In particular, it is used for its anti-septic, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial power; physicians using what's known as an Aromatogram (a method of testing sample tissue in various oils) to decipher which aromatherapy combination is appropriate for the complaint.

So, how does it work? The nose eventually links to the brain by Olfactory Cells, which sit beneath the brain in the ceiling of the nasal cavity. It is through these cells that smell is transmitted and perceived. These cells, based on the properties of the smell they receive, send electrical impulses to the brain, where the smell is then "known" by a part of the brain called the Cerebral Cortex. Aromatherapy is essentially the theory that the molecular properties received by these cells, found in Essential Oils and other aromatherapy substances, cause powerful changes in the brain and (often, extending to) the body. These impulses may not affect the body directly, but may affect various systems in the brain that control elements of the body (such as the immune system, digestion or blood pressure).

There is also a strong psychological connection between smells and what we associate with them; however, because aromatherapy oils have similar affects on everybody, personal association may happily play a role in the popularity of aromatherapy, but it is not, by definition, what aromatherapy "is". Rather, it is what aromatherapy is (technically speaking) "not", because the term, aromatherapy, is concerned with the objective, scientific effects of the oils upon the human mind and body, and not the (subjective) power of psychological association. An aromatherapist chooses the oils he or she will use to treat various complaints and needs based on this objective view of what the oil combinations do to the human body from an objective, and not based on any subjective connection the patient has with a scent.

Despite the general notion that aromatherapy is an "alternative" treatment and lifestyle, many fundamentals and ideas of aromatherapy have already been a part of most of our lives!

Some of the most popular and easily recognizable forms of aromatherapy include: the use of Peppermint for digestive problems; the use of Sandalwood for depression, anxiety and nervous tension; and the use of Lavender for headaches, insomnia, aches, pains and (of course, since this is where aromatherapy started) burns. However, probably the most widespread and mainstream use of aromatherapy is in fact so common, most people have used this at one time in their lives, without even realizing what they were trying is aromatherapy! The next time somebody tells you they have never tried aromatherapy or don't believe in its powers, ask them if they've ever used Tea-Tree and Eucalyptus oil for a cold or flu.

There are three main ways to use aromatherapy oils. They can be massaged into the skin, vaporized in a bath, or burnt in an oil burner. They are always very strong concentrates, and require only a few drops at a time. To be massaged into the skin, they must be diluted – generally, in what is commonly referred to as a "carrier oil", such as any cold pressed vegetable oil (for massage), or in a non-mineral unscented cream base (for more cosmetic-oriented use).

There are many ways to enjoy and utilize the world of aromatherapy oils, and each individual will approach it differently. Remember: there is no right or wrong way, and whatever enjoyment you take from the oils, for whatever purpose, is entirely up to you! Some use the oils from a medical perspective. Some like to use the oils to stimulate them mentally, aid with sleep or to relieve stress. Many people use the oils as a deodorizer or to create aromatic ambience, without any connection to what the medical or psychological properties of the oil are considered to be. And with the advent of do-it-yourself cosmetics, the oils have taken on a new life as ingredients to be mixed in cosmetics, whether for their scent or affective properties (such as moisturizing, etc). As we continue to look for natural alternatives in a modern and overly-synthetic world in the midst of environmental crisis, the wondrous arena of aromatherapy is experiencing a timely revival. Many people are searching for ways to explore nature and for new secrets of medicine and the mind; and are finding that, the whole time, the answers were right under their noses.

Michael Livingstone

2 July 2007