My Aromatherapy
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Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé
in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants,
flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing.
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The term is a bit misleading, since the aromas of oils, whether natural or synthetic, are
generally not themselves therapeutic. Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine
adulteration, and to stir the memory, but not to directly bring about a cure or healing.
It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value
the oil might have. Furthermore, vapors are used in some but not all cases of aromatherapy. In
most cases, the oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested in a tea or other liquid. Some
aromatherapists even consider cooking with herbs a type of aromatherapy.
