Due to the fact many equate perfume or candles with the name Aromatherapy, some Aromatherapists have gone to the lengths to bane all mention of the Aromatic qualities of essential oils and the true meaning of it's name. This is un-needed and also serves to confuse the public about Aromatherapy. Originally Gattefosse coined the name Aromatherapie as he was a Frenchmen and only spoke French. This was later changed in England to the English translation which is Aromatherapy. Aroma = pleasing odor and therapy = treatment of some sort. Weather Aromatherapists like it or not, this was the name given to essential oil use by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse in the middle 1900's. This was his view of essential oils and by the name, many get the impression Aromatherapy is solely about Aromatics, so it is up to Aromatherapists to teach about the whole art.
As with many modalities, things change and evolve. Medicine was once about "letting" blood and administering mercury. Pharmacy has roots in alchemy and the quest of creating life lengthening potions. With the coming of each century, new developments in Medicine, both natural and western are being made on a continues basis. Aromatherapy is now at the point where diverse healing qualities are being appreciated and looked into further by the scientific community. Unfortunately until the commercial industries misrepresentation is lifted, it will not be taken as seriously as it should be or as a true art.
Another area which has caused essential oils to be viewed as unimportant in health and healing is that fact that many essential oils simply do not work. This is not due to the fact that Aromatherapy as a whole does not work but instead that the essential oil used is not potent or truly pure enough to be of any real benefit. Many essential oil companies produce inferior products which are either greatly comprised of carrier oil or are really fragrance oils in disguise. Sure, the carrier (also known as base oil) may contain some healing qualities such as if peanut or almond oil was used but the fragrance or minute amount of essential oil added to it has little or no effect. Just because it says essential oil on the packaging doesn't mean automatic success and quality. To help the public find pure essential oils you can follow these guidelines:
- Look for the word "pure" on the label
- Look for the phrase "Aromatherapy Grade"
- Look for the word "Organic"
- Look on the ingredients label, does it have one? If no, don't buy it
- ..If yes, does the word "carrier" or "base" oil appear?... if it does, it means it is a
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