The Wonder Called : Aromatherapy
by: Rilsto Mathe
Aromatherapy, a misnomer or reality
Aromatherapy was coined by the French chemist Rene Maurice
Gattefosse in 1920s to describe the practice of using
essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds,
etc. for healing.
As a matter of fact Robert Todd Carrolls The Skeptics
Dictionary says the term Aromatherapy is misleading. The
observation is on the fact that aromas of oils do not
directly bring cure or healing, they are used to
identify the oils, to determine adulteration, to stir the
memory. In fact, therapeutic value is in the essence
of the oil its chemical properties. Besides, aroma is
not used in every cure or in other words vapors are used
in some cases of aromatherapy only. Generally in
aromatherapy, oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested in
tea or other liquid or even cooking is done using herbs.
Over at QuackWatch.org, Stephen Barrett, M.D., has looked
into the dubious claims of most aromatherapy providers.
Among the companies he has looked into is Aroma Vera, Inc.,
of Los Angeles, which claims that "essential oils have the
power to purify the air we breathe while they relax,
stimulate, soothe or sharpen our senses . . . a wonderful
antidote to the air pollution and scentsory imbalance of
modern life." It also claims that inhaling the scents
"balances the biological background," "revitalizes the
cells," and produces a "strong energizing effect on the
sympathetic nervous system."
Joint Adventure, of Rogers, Arkansas, states that essential
oils can be used for "many different purposes from
athletes foot to enlightenment and almost every point
between!"
Still part of Dr. Barretts growing dossier is a
practitioner claiming that the technique "addresses the
nervous system and the energy fields of the body. It
soothes the body, cleans the body, clears the body, and
tones the body." The Complete Book of Essential Oils and
Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood, states that there are
about 300 essential oils and that they constitute an
extremely effective medical system.
In the Skeptics Dictionary, Carroll concludes: I would not
reject aromatherapy out of hand, however, when I have a
cold and a stuffy nose, Ill use Vicks VapoRub, a mixture
of camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil. Strictly speaking,
I suppose I am a practicing aromatherapist. However, when I
look at what people who call themselves aromatherapists
claim, I have to conclude that aromatherapy is mostly a
pseudoscientific alternative medical therapy. It is a
mixture of folklore, trial and error, anecdote,
testimonial, New Age spiritualism and fantasy. What
aromatherapy lacks is a knack for sniffing out nonsense.
I agree with Carrolls findings. I recently bought a
Marjoram scent from Aromas Naturales, a company based in
Spain and with ISO 9001 certification. I first had my dad
use it at night, to test its claim that it will eliminate
snoring. My purchase had a 40day guarantee. Guess what? I
ended up not returning it, although I was highly skeptical
at first. I even bought another jar for myself.
Bottomline is, it hasnt totally eliminated snoring from
what my family members tell me, but it sure has eliminated
a major portion of it. And my mom attests to that. She
sleeps better now in my dads room.
About The Author:
Rilsto Mathe is the designer of Aromatherapy Aromatherapy Group which is the premier resource for mortgage information. for more facts visit: http://www.aromatherapygroup.com
March 2006
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