These olfactory wonders come from various parts of the plant, including the seed, flower, fruit, leaves, bark, branch, resin stalk and even the roots. Using essential oils for healing purposes is often called aromatherapy, which is a holistic treatment seeking to improve physical, mental and emotional health. The history of aromatherapy and the exploration of its origins is quite fascinating. For this as well as his subsequent research he has become known as the father of aromatherapy. The actual term aromatherapy first originated in 1937 when french chemist renemaurice gattefosse invented the word after a burn incident spurred his curiosity about the healing power. French chemist renemaurice gattefosse coined the term aromatherapie while investigating the antiseptic properties of essential oils. Discovered the healing properties of essential plants oil. What we know as modern aromatherapy was not introduced formally until french chemist rene maurice gattefosse first coined the phrase in 1937. You can use essential oils for second degree burns that are small to help heal them faster without any infection or scarring. The real story of renemaurice gattefosse essential oils. Renemaurice gattefosse born in montchat near lyon in 1881, renemaurice gattefosse is regarded as the father of aromatherapy and inventer of the word itself. Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from plants with tremendous healing properties. Aromatherapy office for science and society mcgill university. Aromatic plants were used by the most ancient civilizations, we could say that aromatherapy is at least 6000 years old.
He talks about oral, rectal, inhalational and injection they had all been used by then and continues. Lavender has been hailed as a key burnhealing plant since its discovery, detailed in the french chemist and perfumer renemaurice gattefosses 1937 book aromatherapie. Renemaurice gatefosse was a french chemist, who first coined the word aromatherapy. Gattefosse was working in the laboratories of the cosmetics firm owned. In 1910, a french chemist and perfumier rene maurice gattefosse was. Lets back up some and learn about renemaurice gattefosse, the father of aromatherapy. Here is the missing link in essential oil literature, the first modern work written by the man who coined the word aromatherapy. In brief, aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical wellbeing. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. A french chemist, rene maurice gattefosse, began his research into the healing powers of essential oils after burning his hand in his laboratory and immersing in it in lavender oil and being impressed by how quickly the burn healed.
The business of gattefosse establishments was to produce essential oils, petroleum oils, raw materials for making perfumes, and other drugstore products. Gattefosses aromatherapy and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The history of aromatherapy continues during the 20th century, when many aromatherapists contributed their knowledge to aromatherapy and created more natural products and more effective and pleasurable techniques. In gattefosses book we also find the first written record in modern times to the skin as a route of administration foressential oils. A famous french chemist and scholar, in 1910 he discovered the virtues of. Much more than a wellness fad, people have used essential oils for over 5,000 years. The accounts of these cases constitute a large part of his text. Many of my students and clients ask me about the origins and background of aromatherapy.
Lavender for burns and renemaurice gattefosse, father of. A brief history of essential oils, part 3 heba elhakim. His family were perfumers, but his interest in the therapeutic use of essential oils began when he severely burned his hand in a laboratory explosion. Burning issues using essential oils to treat burns the natural way aromatherapy ellen cox in 1910 the french chemist, renemaurice gattefosse discovered the healing properties of lavender after severely burning his hand in a laboratory explosion. His books are very scientific and show what many essential oils can do.
The modern era of aromatherapy is dawned in 1930 when the french chemist rene maurice gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy for the therapeutic use of. Used in world war i and world war ii by dr jean valnet, a french army surgeon and marguerite maury, a surgical assistant. Gattefosses aromatherapy kindle edition by gattefosse. The term aromatherapy was first coined in 1937 by renemaurice gattefosse, a french chemist, whose badly burned arm was supposedly.
According to wikipedia as of november th 2007, the word aromatherapy was first used in the 1920s by french chemist rene maurice gattefosse, who devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils after a lucky accident in his perfume laboratory. An egyptian medical papyrus considered to date back to around 1555 bc contains remedies for all types of illnesses and the methods of application are similar to the ones used in aromatherapy. An ancient remedy for health and good looks lewrockwell. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. History of massage massage, massage videos, massage. In ancient medicine, these oilswhich are made from the distilled extracts from plant flowers, leaves, bark. Gattefosse badly burned his hand during an experiment in a perfumery plant and plunged his hand into the nearest tub of liquid, which just happened to be lavender essential oil.
A famous french chemist and scholar, in 1910 he discovered the virtues of the. His remarkable book was first published in 1937 and has been out of print for many years. French chemist rene maurice gattefosse, who devoted his life to researching. Les huiles essentielles, hormones vegetales by renemaurice gattefosse fr, a chemist. His book gattefosses aromatherapy contains early clinical findings for utilizing essential oils for a. This book is going to attract only the most avid fans of aromatherapy and thats fine. In july 1910 rene maurice gattefosse discovered the healing properties of lavender oil after severely burning his hands in a laboratory explosion. Novices wouldnt be as thirsty for more knowledge in this area so wouldnt appreciate gattefosses contribution to the amazing history of essential oils. In 1937, gattefosse wrote a book called aromatherapie. French chemist renemaurice gattefosse 18811950 is credited with coining the term aromatherapy aromatherapie. The 5 most versatile essential oilsand how to use them. History of aromatherapy essential oils bioaire lifestyle. Originally written in french in 1937, this book is the english translation of this renowned work.
Then youve experienced one of the great qualities of essential oils, their aromatic compounds. Born in 1881 in lyon, france, he was the third child born to louis gattefosse, who founded gattefosse establishments in 1880. A french chemist, renemaurice gattefosse, coined the term aromatherapie in 1928. Greek mythology claims the gods were gifted with the knowledge of perfume and fragrance. The first book on aromatherapy gattefosse, renemaurice, tisserand, robert b.
Here is the missing link in essential oil literature, the. Despite little being known about him, gattefosse wrote several books on essential oils citing them as cures for skin cancer, facial ulcers, and even black widow spider bites. Very little is known about him, but he wrote several books on essential oils. At that time, the united states pharmacopeia was revised every ten years. He published a book about the anti microbial effects of the oils and coined the word aromatherapy. In 1910 french chemist and scholar renemaurice gattefosse discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. Gattefosse rene maurice abebooks shop for books, art.
This led him into a lifetime of research into essential oils. In 1910, the french chemist and scholar burned his hand badly during an experiment while working in a perfumery. Love the smell of roses, lavender or even a freshly peeled orange. His contribution to aromatherapy includes a personal story burned in a laboratory accident, gattefosse develops gas gangrene, a potentially deadly infection of the skin. He used aromatic fumigation to rid athens of the plague. Gattefosses aromatherapy by gattefosse, renemaurice. Translated from the original french, but a very easy read. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gattefosses aromatherapy. Renemaurice gatefosse was a french chemist, who first coined the word aromatherapy in the 1920s.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It is historically proved that the ancient egyptians, greeks, romans, and persians used to use aromatherapy. For over 5,000 years, many different cultures have used these healing plant oils for a. Beginners guide to aromatherapy essence of arcadia. Many say that gattefosse is the father of aromatherapy. Although the term aromatherapy was not used until the 20th century, the use of aromatic botanicals and aromatic oils date back. When french chemist, rene maurice gattefosse was working in his lab one day in the early 1900s, he suffered a severe burn. Lavender for burns and renemaurice gattefosse, father of aromatherapy. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Gattefosses aromatherapy kindle edition by gattefosse, rene maurice. His remarkable book was first published in 1937 and has. Born in montchat near lyon in 1881, renemaurice gattefosse is regarded as the. A famous french chemist and scholar, in 1910 he discovered the virtues of the essential oil of lavender. In 1910, the french chemist renemaurice gattefosse burned his hand during an experiment and plunged it into the nearest tub of liquid for relief a liquid that happened to be lavender oil.
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