20th CENTURY AND MILLENIUM TRENDS AROMATHERAPY
“A great number of aromatic gums, herbs, and their respective essential
oils came into medical use during the eighteenth century. As the nineteenth
century progressed, and turned into the twentieth century, a slow but
sure trend was established. The perfumery trade expanded, and at the
same time pharmaceutical research became more and more chemically oriented.
The discovery and synthesis of drugs became its central concern. The early
herbalists, who were more concerned with matters such as humors, degrees
of heat, cold, moistness, dryness, and so on, had succeeded in curing
their patients, even without knowledge of these drugs and their companion
diseases. They did not set out merely to suppress infections, but to
make their patients as healthy as possible—a more positive approach.”
Robert Tisserand, “The Art of Aromatherapy.”
The advent of chemistry and chemical synthesis, however, saw their steady
decline. It wasn’t until the beginning of the twentieth century that aromatics
regained their lost favor. The history of modern aromatherapy is a short one,
but this history is inextricably woven into the more general history of
plants and their extracts, compounds and essential oils.
“The rigidity of nineteenth century science turned its back on naturally derived
substances in favor of those born in the laboratory. It was thought better to
synthesize the active therapeutic properties of a plant to provide not only a
uniform standard, but a cheaper cost as well. When synthesized, however, these
products can be toxic to some and not as powerful as the originals they emulate.
(Aromatherapy - History & Modern Use of Essential Oils, Katherine Rimmer,
www.spiritual.com.au)
This century’s noted aromatherapist and physician, Dr. Jean Valnet, observed
they must be dried and preserved skillfully to keep their power intact and
used with discrimination. Through scientific research and analysis he
helped to substantiate the reputed benefits of essential oils.
The term ‘Aromatherapie’ was first coined by the French biochemist Reneé-Maurice
Gattefossé in 1937. He is thought to have become an advocate after burning his
arm during a laboratory experiment. Upon burning his arm, he plunged it into
the nearest tub of cold liquid. The tub was full of lavender oil, and not only
did he find relief from the pain, but the wound healed at an astonishing rate
and Gattefossé went on to study the properties of essences for the rest of his
life. He theorized that essential oils can be passed from the skin to the body’s
internal organs because the skin is connected to the brain and nervous system.
He also classified the various effects of essential oils on the digestive system,
the metabolism, the nervous system and the endocrine glands.
In the late 1950s, Marguerite Maury began studying essential oils and how they
could be used to penetrate the skin for the maintenance of health and beauty.
She also developed the methods of massage aromatherapists still use today.
She was also the first person to start the use of "individually prescribed"
combinations of essential oils to suit the need of the person being massaged.
For much of this century, aromatherapy has been the domain of the beauty industry
while remaining an outcast in the medical community. It is only recently that
oils have once again been selected to meet the needs of the individual for
healing. Until recently, beauticians were given a pre-packaged mixture by the
oil manufacturers, and had no part in the mixing of the oils or their potency.
Since the late 1970 and early 80's the use of essential oils and aromatherapy
has become a major part of alternative and holistic health systems, and has a
huge following across the world. Aromatherapy has been involved in a marketing
frenzy in the last couple of years. The therapeutic value of essential oils
have extended from beauty lotions, bath oils and soaps to aromatic color
therapy, insect repellents, house cleaners and ready made bath and vaporizer
treatments. Essential oils are available just about everywhere.
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