History
Aromatherapy is a newly coined word from the French aromatherapie. A French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse is considered the father of modern aromatherapy. Mons Gattefosse worked in his family’s’ perfume business and one day burnt his hand badly in a laboratory explosion and used lavender oil to help heal the burn. The effectiveness of lavender oil turned his attention to the use of this and other oils in dermatology and for medicinal use. He first coined the word aromatherapie in a scientific paper in 1928 and published a book of the same name in 1937.

Other French Doctors and scientists have continued this work most notably Dr. Jean Valnet, a former army surgeon, who used essential oils to treat severe burns and battle injuries. Later he treated patients in a psychiatric hospital with the oils and other plant products, with great success, despite the skepticism of the hospital staff. Marguerite Moury devised the message with which essential oils could be applied to the body and absorbed via the skin.

The roots of aromatherapy are to be found in the ancient healing practices of all the ancient civilizations and cultures. The Egyptians were using aromatics 3000 years before Christ for medicinal, cosmetic and embalming purposes. There is mention of herbal gardens in ancient Babylon. There is evidence that the gardens contained pumpkins, garlic, onions, fennel, saffron, thyme and many more herbs which were used for medicinal purposes.

The Mayans and Incas burnt herbs and plants and steamed themselves in the fumes, at the same time drank concoctions to rid themselves of ill health, not only physical but mental as well. The high priests often practiced this to purify themselves before performing sacrifices.

In India and China, the use of plants for healing has an unbroken tradition, thousands of years old. In India the use of plants reflects the religious and philosophical view of man as part of the continually changing process of nature and certain herbs i.e. “Tulsi”. The Indian Basil and particular trees are worshipped daily. China has a great tradition of herbal medicine which is used along side Acupuncture.

The ancient Greeks acquired much of their medicinal knowledge from the Egyptians. They used herbs not only for physical well being but also as a tonic for Nerves. The Romans perfected the art of using them for Aphrodisiac purposes.

The art of Distillation of essential oils is credited to the Arabs namely to one known to the western world as “ Avicenna” who perfected the art of distillation and as a result today we get highly concentrated essential oils.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are aromatic “Essences” of plants. They are concentrated, complex, chemical compound. An essential oil can be described as the “Life force” of a plant, as it is the most potent part of the plant. “Essentials oils” are not “oils” in the true sense as they are not greasy or fatty. They are volatile and evaporate quickly.

Essential oils are more than pleasant smelling perfumes. Each oil may have a number of chemical components, some in minute quantities which all react together in a way which is impossible to reproduce synthetically. Each oil has a specific action on the body, mind and spirit. Almost all oils are antiseptic, besides that some are anti-viral, anti-spasmodic, sedatives, detoxifiers, aphrodisiac. Mixing of oils is crucial as the combination should be balanced and in right quantity only a few drops of the concentration oils are in“base” oil such as almond, grape seed, wheat germ for massage etc.
 
Smell has always been one of the most powerful and perhaps one of the most instinctual of all our senses. Hence the essential oils also work through the inhalation of the aroma. Most human beings find massage instantly relaxing and soothing.

Aromatherapy is a total body, mind and spirit treatment. The aroma therapist will take the emotional state and the physical need of the client and choose the oils accordingly. The treatment itself involves a specialized kind of massage that is gentle and involves lymphatic drainage. Most aroma therapists will massage the face, head and the feet, besides the body. The client is asked to follow a healthy diet for 24-48 hrs as the body may experience detoxification. It is relaxing, rejuvenating and preventive treatment. Very helpful during any crisis, menopause, recovering from illness, fluid retention, arthritis, Rheumatism, General aches and pains due to sports and for general well being.

There are a lot of ‘Essences’ that pass off as ‘Essential oils’ and many unqualified people use the oils indiscriminately to carry out a massage and call it Aromatherapy! The Essential oils if not used in the right quantity, right combinations and for the right reasons can be harmful.

Try a treatment with a qualified Aroma therapist – Usha Panyi 0752 848600