Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy?
A branch of phytotherapy, aromatherapy is based on the use of essential oils for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. It follows a rigorous methodology grounded in solid scientific data and confirmed by clinical testing.
The term “aromatherapy” was coined by a French chemical engineer, René-Maurice Gattefossé, in 1928. Even back then, there was a lively debate between advocates of conventional pharmacology and supporters of natural remedies—just as there was when Dr. Jean Valnet published his book “Aromathérapie – Treatment of Diseases with Plant Essences” in 1964.
Phytotherapy remains the most widely used form of medicine around the world. We have long known that certain plants have antiseptic, bactericidal, antifungal, antiviral, hormonal, antirheumatic, circulatory, antidiabetic, immunostimulant, blood pressure-regulating, antispasmodic, stomachic, or liver-supporting properties. All ancient civilizations developed plant-based medicine alongside agriculture, and most great physicians were also phytotherapists.
Aromatherapy is part of the plant-based heritage that must be preserved and protected.
Essential oils offer a broad spectrum of therapeutic benefits. From a purely pathological perspective, the anti-infectious power of essential oils is now widely acknowledged. In the context of antibiotic overuse, essential oils are increasingly seen as one of the only viable alternatives in most cases of infection. Thanks to their natural origin and complex composition, and when used in well-measured and studied dosages, essential oils do not cause microbial resistance, do not weaken the immune system, and do not disrupt the balance of beneficial or pathogenic flora.
Unlike synthetic drugs or those derived from isolated active compounds, aromatherapy is the ultimate form of natural medicine. Its greatest strength lies in being a holistic therapy—one that focuses on restoring balance to the entire body, rather than simply targeting symptoms.