"Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived."
Helen Keller
What is Aromatherapy?
The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy defines Aromatherapy as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences (essential oils) from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.
According to Merriam-Webster, the word Aromatherapy consists of the words aroma or fragrance and therapy or treatment and is from the French aromathérapie, from Latin aroma and French thérapie therapy. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (France), a perfumer and cosmetic chemist, is credited with coining the term aromatherapy in 1928.
There are commonly three types of aromatherapy, using essential oil:
Aesthetic aromatherapy - for the pleasure of its aroma
Holistic aromatherapy - to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit; typically using a blend of essential oils.
Clinical or Medical aromatherapy - targeting a specific clinical symptom (e.g. nauseas) and measuring the outcome.
A Brief History of Aromatic Plants
“The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day.”
Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), Greek physician
The Greeks believed that sweet aromatic aromas were divine in origin and the gods were said to have descended to earth on scented clouds wearing robes that were drenched in aromatic essences. After death, the Greeks also believed that the departed went to Elysium where the air was permanently fragranced with sweet-smelling aromas from perfumed rivers.
The use of aromatic botanicals and oils dates back more than 3,500 years and were used in religious and ritual ceremonies, medicines, perfumery, hygiene, and deodorizer. During ancient times, aromatic plant use included sandalwood, ginger, myrrh, cinnamon and coriander, thyme, lavender, aloe, frankincense myrrh saffron, marjoram, cumin, and peppermint
In the 18th century, the use of essential oils became part of mainstream medicine. However, with the development of synthetic materials created in the laboratory the herb garden and the use of aromatic plants and plant medicine began to decline.
Leaders in Modern Aromatherapy
Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (France), a perfumer and cosmetic chemist, researched and observed that essential oils were both aromatic and therapeutic. In July 1910, while working, an explosion in his lab severely burned his scalp and his hands. He applied lavender oil to his burns and was able to directly observe the medicinal benefits of lavender. In 1937, he published Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones vegetales. From the book title, came the new term Aromatherapy, distinguishing essential oils from their medicinal application and aromatic uses and applications.
Dr. Jean Valnet (France), an army surgeon, inspired by the work of Gattefossse, began his research of essential oils in 1953 with a focus on application and dosage levels needed to attain maximum benefit without risk of side effects. Over a period of 10 years, he created a number of effective remedies utilizing essential oils including remedies for skin conditions, respiratory conditions, muscular aches and pains. In 1964, he published Aromathérapie - Traitment des Maladies par les Essence de Plantes; In 1980, his book was translated into English and released under the new title of The Practice of Aromatherapy.
Marguerite Maury (Austria) a nurse and surgical assistant, moved to France, where she studied under Dr. Valnet, and pioneered the dermal application of essential oils and the recognition of its psychological and physiological benefits. In 1961, her book, Le Capital Jeunesse, which applied Dr. Valnet's research to her beauty therapy, was published in France; in 1964, it was released in Britain under the title of The Secret of Life and Youth. In this book, Maury acknowledges the importance of maintaining health through nutrition, exercise, a healthy emotional and spiritual life, and massage or hydrotherapy. She is credited with starting the self help holistic approach of aromatherapy in the 1950 in England.
Robert Tisserand (England) influenced by the work of Drs. Valnet and Gattefossé, wrote the first aromatherapy book in English, titled The Art of Aromatherapy. Later, with coauthor Rodney Young, he wrote Essential Oil Safety, which set industry standards for the safe use of essential oils.
The sense of smell is extremely powerful and it can elicit strong reactions, both emotionally and physically. Research has shown that our sense of smell is so powerful, in fact, that we are 100 times more likely to remember something we smell than something we see, hear, or touch.
Take a look at the infographic and its corresponding points below for a brief overview of how your sense of smell works:
The inner part of your nose is lined with hundreds of olfactory epithelial cells, each of which have cilia (hair-like structures). Each cilia works like a lock-and-key system meaning that specific odor molecules bind to the corresponding receptors in the olfactory epithelial cells and unlock a signal.
The signal that the odor molecules trigger travel up to the brain, specifically to the olfactory bulb. The olfactory bulb then relays the signal to other parts of the brain for processing. Some of these areas include the:
Thalamus helps relay all sensory information that comes into the brain to several different areas.
Amygdala stores and releases emotional trauma and it is only triggered by scent.
Limbic system, which is commonly referred to as the "emotional brain," is directly connected to those parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. This relationship helps explain why smells often trigger emotions.
As the different parts of your brain process the odor signals, they can trigger different responses, many of which involve releasing hormones. Depending on the signal and which hormones are released, you can experience greater calmness, more energy, the recollection of certain memories, and more.
Common Methods of Aromatherapy
Olfaction/Inhalation is the safest and most effective way to quickly experience the aroma and to gain the therapeutic benefit of essential oils especially for a variety of mental and emotional benefits, such as in a situations of shock, grief, anxiety, panic attacks, and respiratory conditions. In addition to working in the brain, some of the aromatic molecules also travel to the lungs, which are transferred to the bloodstream. Inhalation should not be used by those with respiratory problems or with infants.
Dermal/Topical is the application on the skin of the essential oil diluted in a carrier (fixed, base) oil which are transferred to the bloodstream through the circulatory system. The rate of absorption is affected by age, health, skin condition, dilution, and carrier oil. Topical application is perfect for things such as massage, reflexology, aches and pains, and skin problem. Always perform a skin patch test before applying a essential oil to the skin. For more information, check out Essential OIls and Safety and Application Methods.
For more information on essential oil safety and methods of application, click here.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is one of the most popular and beneficial forms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Reliable research shows aromatherapy can help many physical, mental and emotional symptoms and conditions. There is also the potential for the prevention of conditions developing, or worsening, rather than waiting for symptoms to present.
The International Federation of Aromatherapist has compiled an extensive list of health conditions which aromatherapy may be useful in helping to alleviating specific symptoms. Learn more here.
Books:
Aromatherapy Workbook by Marcel Lavabre
Aromatherapy Workbook by Shirley Price
Aromatherapy and the Mind by Julia Lawless
The Heart of Aromatherapy by Andrea Butje
Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils by Gabriel Mojay
Resources:
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