Aromix Group

Although aromatic plants and essential oils have been used for thousands of years the term “aromatherapy” is much newer.  Coined in the 1920s by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse when he discovered, quite by accident, the therapeutic effects of lavender on a burn that he suffered.  Not only did he notice the burn healing quickly, but also no scarring was evident.

But don’t get bogged down with the term.  It suggests that essential oils work through the sense of smell, when in fact most essential oils interact with the body chemistry in different ways.  Many are applied externally in the form of a topical application – for example tea tree oil for nail fungus treatments, lavender as an anti-inflammatory or geranium for reducing stretch marks.  They work topically but also become absorbed via the skin and transported throughout the body.  (That’s why if you rub a garlic clove on the soles of your feet, a few minutes later you’ll be able to notice it on your breath).

It makes sense to consider aromatherapy within the broader field of herbal medicine as it’s not just essential oils that can be derived from plants.  For example chamomile can be used both as a volatile oil as well as a herbal preparation that is used as an infusion.  Another example is peppermint – used as an inhalant for the treatment of respiratory conditions and in extract form for the treatment of digestive disorders.  

When using essential oils it’s safest to limit them to external use only.  They are highly concentrated and can easily irritate or damage mucosal membranes (such as your stomach lining).  When it comes to storage, keep away from light and heat and ideally store in a dark bottle.  When purchasing make sure the packaging is of good quality and made from an inert material (such as glass) that won’t react with the contents.