Defining aromatherapy can be complicated and complex depending on who you talk to. I want to share how I have viewed aromatherapy and what is beginning to be recognized more in 2023.
Aromatherapy has been around for a long time. Depending on who you learn from the beginning will always be defined differently. In the last 20 years though it has become almost a household term. Most people know that you are talking about aromatic plant material and probably essential oils.
The “official beginning” of aromatherapy
The term aromatherapy came about in 1937 when Rene-Maurice Gattefosse used it in his book “Gattefosse’s Aromatherapy”. At that time, the term was used to describe the use of essential oils for their therapeutic actions. An essential oil is the aromatic essence of the plant that is generally extracted through steam distillation. They are highly concentrated chemical compounds so a little goes a long way. To learn more about essential oils you can read more here.
My aromatherapy journey
I began a journey with essential oils, then defined as aromatherapy in the late 1990’s. Most of the books I found on the topic were titled “Aromatherapy…”, but I have always felt that there was more than one aromatic option. Around the same time I was also growing herbs and plants on my balcony or where ever I could.
Herbs are so fragrant, I kept wondering how they could not also be “defined” as aromatherapy. Actual plants though are part of the herbalism culture. And as I have studied, I do agree essential oils and using herbs medicinally should be viewed differently. But why did they have to be two such different categories? Both items are can be used for the therapeutic actions to support wellness.
Throughout my courses of study in aromatherapy for both people and animals my definition has always leaned towards all aromatic things. When using essential oils we must combine them into a plant-based carrier. These are often aromatic oils like coconut oil. When working with animals due to their sensitive olfactory (nose) system we lean towards things less potent than essential oils.
Hydrosols or hydrolats are a good option because they are fragrant but with the water component evaporate more quickly. You can learn more about hydrosols in this article. I also turn to herbal preparations and flower essences more often than just essential oils.
Phyto-aromatherapy vs. Aromatic Medicine
Now in 2023 I am beginning to see many courses about “aromatic medicine”. This is another tricky term. Early on in my studies “aromatic medicine” was considered using essential oils internally. (This is only something that should be considered when working with a trained individual!) Now the definition is shifting to a combination of essential oils and herbal wisdom.
I am not sure where the divide happened that essential oils were taught as one way and herbalism a separate mindset of study. I am sure some of it has to do with the overall challenge of using any plant material as medicine.
As a side note medicine according the Oxford definition is “the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease (in technical use often taken to exclude surgery). I also found this definition interesting: “modern medicine – the most advanced, scientifically based, and statistically approved therapeutic system and diagnostic methodology.”
At the NAHA Beyond Aromatics conference several presenters used the term phyto-aromatherapy. I feel this is a better balance of using plants that have medicinal benefits as well as essential oils.
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Aromatic Wellness?
So, what is the proper term to use for aromatherapy and herbal wisdom when it comes to keeping us well or even supporting our system when it has challenges?
For many there are 5 aspects of overall wellness including physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual. Do you agree that this is wellness? I know I do and I will use a wide range of methods to keep myself well including essential oils and herbs.
To summarize, I will be shifting to the terminology of phyto-aromatherapy which is the use of any aromatic plant material to support wellness. I would much rather be supporting my body to be well and using things that mother earth provides than being ill and needing to use medicine at all.
Update September 2023
