All About Aromatherapy
The term aromatherapy was first used in the 1920s by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé. Gattefossé first discovered the potential healing powers of natural oils after catching his arm on fire one day in his lab. In his attempt to put out the fire, he thrust his arm into the nearest bin of liquid, which just happened to be lavender oil. The burn healed quickly without a scar.
Aromatherapy is commonly associated with alternative healing techniques. It is the process of using natural oils as a means to alter a person’s mood or health. There are three main branches of aromatherapy. The first is home aromatherapy, which is self-treatment with aromatherapy products. The second is clinical aromatherapy. Clinical aromatherapy is used as a pharmacological treatment in a clinical setting. The third branch is aromachology. Aromachology is the study of odors and their effects on the mind.