The prefix “aroma” could suggest that aromatherapy is all about diffusing pleasant scents just for pleasure … But the suffix “therapy” clearly indicates that it is a complex treatment approach, constituted by the aromatic essences of certain plants, citrus fruits, resin or wood…. Used for millennia, aromatic plants have always been held in high esteem by the whole world. The aromatic essences obtained from these plants are commonly called “essential oils”.

Aromatherapy is therefore the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes.

The essential oil is a volatile essence extracted from aromatic plants by distillation by entrainment with water vapor. It is a fragrant substance produced by certain plants, spices or oleoresins. We use flowering tops (lavender, rosemary, rose ..), tea-tree leaves, eucalyptus ..), seeds or fruits (anise, fennel, lemon, orange ..), roots (vetiver, angelica), the wood (cedar, sandalwood ..), rhizome (ginger, turmeric ..), bark (cinnamon tree ..), or resin (frankincense, myrrh…). Anything that can be extracted as a liquid. Although they are called “oils”, these substances do not contain any fatty substances.

The vegetable kingdom counts several hundreds of thousands of species and 4 of them manufacture aromatic essences; of which only a few hundred in sufficient quantity to be able to extract them. Today, the extraction is done mainly according to these processes:

• Cold mechanical pressure or enfleurage technique, for citrus zest such as orange or lemon;
• Extraction by chemical solvent or alcohol, including carbon dioxide CO2, especially for fragile flowers;
• Distillation by steam distillation (invented in the XNUMXth century). It is the most used today and the most respectful.
• Animal fats for concretes or balms: widely used in Grasse, for flowers and roses     

The products obtained are either essential oils, or absolutes, or floral waters, the concentration of essential oils of which is lower and which can only be kept for one year. The conservation of essential oils is legally authorized for 5 years. We can hope to keep them for up to 10 years without their properties being altered or even depending on their storage conditions (away from heat – between 5 ° C and 40 ° C – and light. , tight closure of the bottle ..). Citrus essences can only be kept for 3 years.

Extraction of essential oils can be very expensive, especially because of the very large amount of raw material that is required for the production of small amount of essential oil. It takes about 35 kg of plants to obtain 1 liter of essential oil. Much more in the case of certain plants such as the rose. Hence the high and variable price of real essential oils, depending on the rarity of the plant and its need for quantity. There are however synthetic oils, which are suitable for perfumery, but not for aromatherapy because they have no therapeutic power.

Complex chemical compounds

An essential oil can contain up to several hundred kinds of molecules, each with specific properties (antiseptic, bactericidal, immuno-stimulating, decongestant, soothing, anti-spasmodic, stimulating, anti-inflammatory, etc.).

Scientists group these molecules into several chemotypes or “biochemical families” – ketones, acids, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ethers, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, aromatic oxides, hydrocarbons, phenols – This real identity card of the essential oil is the reflection of its properties and differs according to its species or ss-species, its geographical origin, its producing organ, the nature of the soil, the altitude, the duration of sunshine and its plant environment.

Many oils include much more than a chemotype. For example, the essential oil of clary sage (Salvia sclarea), contains 250 different molecules. The molecules work in synergy, which explains the versatility of essential oils and their vast spectra of action. Once we know the properties of chemotypes as well as their concentration in an essential oil, we can determine what the effects of this oil will be.

For the same plant, the properties of its essential oil and those of its leaves or flowers can be very different and have effects with various spectra of action. Likewise, do not confuse essential oils, culinary essences and perfumes.

Finally, you should know that the same plant can include various species, each of which will have different chemotypes. Lavender (Lavandula), for example, has several species including officinalis, stoechas and latifolia; it is therefore the full Latin name that allows us to know which exact plant it is.

Chemotyped or artisanal oil?

Essential oils, called “chemotyped”, or HECT, come from laboratories which are able to determine the exact biochemical structure of their products. They are able to produce certificates with all the components of the essential oil. These oils are particularly well indicated for specific therapeutic uses, while artisanal oils (identified only by the name of the plant) are suitable for more general uses and are not subject to any official controls. To be used therefore with all the usual precautions.

Essential oils can be used internally, externally or by air (also known as olfactotherapy) but with the necessary precautions because they are very powerful active molecules.

Essential oils internally

Essential oils are sometimes irritating to the mucous membranes, they are generally mixed with a little vegetable oil (preferably organic), honey or breadcrumbs because they do not dilute in water. In pharmacies, you can buy ready-made preparations such as oleocapsules (with a base of vegetable oil and gastro-resistant capsules) as well as preparations in capsules, and in suppositories or ova which will be manufactured at your request thanks to a prescription.

Essential oils externally

The oil can diffuse into the body through the skin; it is mixed with a vegetable massage oil (preferably organic) or with a wax, an ointment, a cream or a body milk.

By air: essential oils in diffusion

The essential oil diffused in the air by a diffuser is absorbed by the respiratory tract and arrives to the brain by the olfactory bulb, where the psycho-emotional therapeutic action is located; there are several modes of distribution:

• Glass blower diffusers allow the oils to be nebulized and diffused in a fairly large space; it is the most efficient method for therapeutic use by air;

Essential oils are very concentrated in active chemical elements and can therefore present certain dangers. It is therefore essential to handle it with care, especially for children under 10 years of age and potentially fragile adults (pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, epileptics, asthmatics, etc.) and to be accompanied by a health professional in their care. use.

In external use, they will always be used diluted in vegetable oil before application. Indeed, some compounds can be dermocaustic and therefore irritating (phenols: clove, oregano, mountain savory and certain aldehydes such as lemongrass, cinnamon, etc.) or allergens 2, or photosensitizers (all essences zest such as lemon, orange, tangerine, grapefruit with furocoumarins, bergamot… and even angelica and khella) for the skin and mucous membranes.

Hessential ues not to be disseminated: phenols (cinnamon, oregano, clove, savory, common thyme thymol) and ketones (white mugwort, sage, hyssop) because they are irritating to the respiratory mucous membranes

Regarding internal use, you should know that some chemotypes, such as ketones, are poisons and should never be taken orally for too long periods and in high doses:

In heavy and repeated use, some can be hepato-toxic (phenols) or neuro-toxic (ketones such as peppermint, mentholated eucalyptus, etc.). Rosemary camphor essential oil can trigger epileptic seizures in some at-risk individuals.

Essential oils should not be ingested or used pure. It is important to follow the recommendations for use. If in doubt, do not hesitate to consult a qualified aromatherapist or a specialized pharmacist.

French specialists, leaders in contemporary scientific aromatherapy such as RM Gattefossé, J. Valnet, JC Lapraz, C. Duraffourd, P. Belaiche, D Baudoux, have identified more than 80 properties applicable to the quarantine of common essential oils.

The mode of action of essential oils manifests itself in different ways and shows an important diversity. They have a direct activity on pathogenic microorganisms (bactericidal, anti-viral, anti-fungal …), on several particular physiological functions (they can for example have the same structural analogy as estrogens) and on our metabolism (example : action on our neuro-vegetative system).

Hence many virtues: analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, choleretic, cholagogue, anti-pruritus, dewormer .. through hypotensive and gastric stimulant, etc …

However, the evidence for the efficacy of aromatherapy in medical treatment remains poor with a lack of studies employing rigorous clinical methods. However, the consequences of their use clearly seem to indicate their true therapeutic potential.

The difficulty of establishing double-blind studies, since the presence of essential oil is detected by the smell, creates an important methodological problem.

Nevertheless, more and more publications demonstrate their effectiveness. 

Reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep and depression

Thus, an international scientific study tells us that alternative medicines use the components of essential oils as active components that can modify the mood, the cognitive functions of people and that essential oils have a real therapeutic potential.

A 2005 study shows that lavender essential oil acts as a mild sedative and promotes deep sleep. Indeed, 31 participants spent 3 nights in an experimental laboratory. The first night spent was meant to adjust to the study. During the 2nd night, essential oil of lavender was administered into the atmosphere. On the 3rd night; they were given a placebo with a spray of distilled water in the air. Thus, scientific measurements of the brain waves produced by the brain during sleep show that lavender essential oil increased the percentage of slow and deep sleep for men and women, as well as light sleep, and made it regress. REM sleep (REM sleep).

Similarly, in 2008, the efficacy of lavender essential oil was evaluated in 28 patients with moderate to severe dementia, lasting 4 weeks8. The patients were placed at random in an experimental group receiving 3 times a day 2 drops of oil on the clothes or in a control group without active treatment. The results show a positive effect in favor of aromatherapy with regard to agitation and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

In 2000, a systematic review, including 6 randomized clinical studies, concluded that aromatherapy appeared to have a beneficial effect in reducing anxiety in the short term. Since then, other randomized clinical studies have evaluated the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing anxiety and improving the mood of people who are hospitalized or undergoing significant stress. Their conclusions point in the same direction.

A small preliminary study carried out in 2005 shows that lavender essential oil, applied by massage, could be an effective treatment against mild insomnia11. For 4 weeks, 10 patients suffering from sleep disorders were massaged before bedtime, alternating from week to week either with an active treatment (sweet almond oil and lavender essential oil) or with a placebo (sweet almond oil). The results reveal a trend towards better quality of sleep in patients having massaged with lavender oil.

Reduce hypertension

A combination of stress and anxiety have the deleterious effects of raising blood and blood pressure. This can lead to terrible health complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

The 83 patients, aged 40 to 59, diagnosed with hypertension were recruited from a university hospital. They were divided into three groups: experimental, placebo and control. The women in the experimental group received 5 body massages, for 4 weeks of approximately 1 hour, with a mixture of essential oils: true lavender, marjoram, Ylang-Ylang, bitter orange and neroli, with concentrated sweet almond and jojoba oil. The placebo group received the same but with artificial fragrances. The control group received nothing. Measurements of their arterial pressures were then made before and after care for the 3 groups. For the effect of aromatic massage on blood pressure, the analyzes show that the experimental group has significant differences compared to the placebo groups. In addition, the aromatic massage group showed a significant improvement in the quality of sleep compared to the placebo and control groups. The authors believe that the oils used produced significant synergistic effects on lowering blood pressure compared to a simple lavender oil examined by Jung’s 2007 study.

Reduction of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) results from the body’s misuse of insulin; we are talking about insulin resistance. This disease is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, ie too high a level of glucose in the blood; It is one of the risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (heart failure and coronary heart disease), chronic neuronal disease (diabetic neuropathy), kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), eye disease (cataracts, blindness) and non-wounds. healing. Thus, scientists sought to evaluate the effect of encapsulated cumin essential oil (ET) on glycemic and inflammatory indices and on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. 99 patients suffering from type 8 diabetes took capsules of a dietary supplement over 33 weeks. They were randomly divided into three groups of 100 people each: one with either 50 mg / day of EO of cumin, the other with XNUMX mg / day of EO of cumin and the last group with a placebo.

A daily dietary supplement of 50 and 100 mg EO of cumin for 8 weeks produced very significant significant changes. Oral administration of cumin EO may control glycemic and inflammatory complications in patients with type II diabetes. Likewise, cinnamon essential oil (which is very strong because it is dermocaustic – to be handled with care) has a known hypoglycaemic effect and helps lower blood glucose levels.

Improved women’s health (urinary tract infections) and reduced symptoms of menopause.

Urinary tract infection is a frequent pathology which encounters serious problems of resistance to antibiotics.

The bibliography is full of studies on the anti-microbial power of essential oils (EO) and currently, no one can deny the action of these EO on bacterial strains resistant, even multi-resistant, to antibiotics. However, a recent approach to the combined use of EOs and antibiotics constitutes a new strategy to overcome the problems of resistance and side effects associated with drugs. In 2011, scientists studied the combined effect of EO of rose geranium and Ciprofloxacin on the following pathogens: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. This research reveals an astonishing synergy between the antibiotic and EO against these pathogens involved in urinary tract infections. To conclude, the authors suggest the combination of EO from rose geranium and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to treat urinary tract infections, which may reduce the effective dose of ciprofloxacin and minimize side effects. In addition, in vivo tests are needed to assess the potential of this combination for therapeutic purposes.

Fifteen women participated in a non-random pilot study on the therapeutic effect of aromatherapy against symptoms of menopause. They received a first massage aromatherapy session (lavender essential oil diluted at 1% in macadamia nut oil), then were invited to practice self-massage for 1 month, 3 to 4 times per week. Comparison of the results before and after treatment indicates a reduction in the severity of symptoms in all patients. However, given the absence of a control group, and knowing that the placebo effect can explain at least 30% of the observed effect, no formal conclusion can be drawn from this small study.

In 2010, a systematic review of the scientific literature assessed aromatherapy with regard to women’s health (premenstrual syndrome, vaginal infections, cystitis, infertility, pregnancy, etc.). The authors’ conclusions show that essential oils could lead to various improvements and that adding complementary therapy, such as massage or acupressure, could further improve the effectiveness of aromatherapy.

Improvement of side effects of radiotherapy, anti-cancer treatment in a hospital environment

Radiation therapy can cause radiodermatitis. Radiodermatitis corresponds to all the reactions caused by irradiation on the skin: slight or acute lesions with cutaneous atrophy, loss of elasticity of the skin, depigmentation, burns, crusty or corneal areas, etc. Chronic radiodermatitis expose to complications such as long and difficult healing. The risk of second skin cancer is then increased.

The study involved 20 breast cancer patients who are scheduled to receive radiation therapy; they were followed during their radiotherapy and 6 months after. The dose and the irradiation technique are identical for all patients: 50 Gy and the irradiation technique is supine. It seems that niaouli oil decreases the intensity and duration of radiodermatitis and improves the quality of life during radiotherapy.

Reduction of nosocomial infections in hospitals

Certain essential oils such as essential oil of tea tree or “tea tree”, oregano, cloves, cinnamon have demonstrated anti-microbial qualities but there is still too great a lack of studies. clinics demonstrating their anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal efficacy.

However, scientists from the University Hospital of Angers and Tours studied the sensitivities of 224 strains of bacteria isolated from hospital infections – escherichia coli, enterococci, enterobacter, campylobacter, pseudomonas, staphylococcus, streptococcus, clostridium, haemophilus to name a few. that some – vis-à-vis essential oil-based compounds.

According to them: “It appears that faced with the problem raised for several years by the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, one of the alternatives to the use of anti-infective drugs could be that of compounds of natural origin, in particular that of oils. essential. Known empirically for centuries, the properties of certain molecules are used in infectious therapy in many ethnic groups around the world. The effectiveness of certain oils has also been scientifically demonstrated in vitro. the results of our study tend to prove an action on a wide variety of bacterial groups originating from clinical infections. Also, this study suggests a research path in the fight against multi-resistant bacteria ”. This is a real hope in the fight against nosocomial diseases which are wreaking havoc in hospital settings.

Other benefits

We find in the scientific literature several studies concerning the beneficial effect of aromatherapy against certain ailments: alzheimer’s, dementia, alopecia areata, eczema, infections, respiratory diseases, postoperative nausea, postoperative comfort in children, arthritis, sclerosis in plaques, fibromyalgia, reduced labor during childbirth, prenatal anxiety, epilepsy, depression, postpartum depression, reduced level of anxiety in the dentist, cognitive abilities, dysmenorrhea, etc.

However, none of these studies allow clear and definitive conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of aromatherapy in these situations.

The aromatherapist and the aromatologist

An aromatherapist or aromatologist is an allopathic or natural health practitioner who specializes in the use of medical practices using essential oils. This advises the patient on the use of essential oils or aromatic extracts of flowers called hydrosols.

To use them safely and obtain a convincing result, each user must benefit from the individualized advice of an aromatherapist. The use of essential oils is not at all trivial, such a profession requires in-depth knowledge of plants and their properties. The aromatherapist also has a very good knowledge in biochemistry, in the pathophysiology of the human body. An aromatherapist treats all the little ailments of everyday life as well as more complex chronic problems. The methods of administration of essential oils will be according to the needs, relevance and tastes of each: bath, massage, diffusion, inhalation, internal use, local application, etc.

What happens during a session ?

The first consultation or anamnesis is a real health check. It begins with a long discussion concerning the object (s) of your consultation, all your health and well-being issues (lifestyle, diet, allergies and intolerances, stress, personal and family history, current and past treatments, interventions and etc.). This detailed interview is essential to understand how the problem / pathology came about and to indicate the steps to follow towards well-being. This will allow the aromatherapist to design a perfectly adapted individualized response.

Become a therapist

Many natural health practitioners, such as naturopaths, use essential oils as a complementary technique. It is especially taught in naturopathic school. But more and more medical or paramedical professions, such as pharmacists, midwives and even veterinarians are being trained.

Aromatherapist diplomas and certificates can be issued by certain universities or training establishments which are often private structures.

Here are some examples :

Dominique Baudoux’s International College of Aromatherapy provides rigorous scientific training for professionals but also accessible to all.

The Provençal Institute of Aromatology and Well-being in Luberon (IPAL) is also a benchmark in terms of training. The institute offers numerous internships and workshops.

University degrees OR OF OR IUD Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy exist and are more and more popular. These university courses are open to health professionals: doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, dental surgeons, midwives, physiotherapists, nurses, pharmacy technicians, etc.

• University Diploma in Medical Practice in Phyto-Aromatherapy: University of Bobigny – Paris XIII (3 years).
• University Diploma in Consulting and Information in Phyto-Aromatherapy University of Bobigny – Paris XIII (2 years).
• Interuniversity diploma DIU Phytotherapy, aromatherapy: University Paris 5 (80 hours).
• DU Phytotherapy and aromatherapy: University of Franche-Comté (80 h).

In addition, there is also correspondence training for health professionals or alternative medicine (doctor, naturopath, pharmacist, etc.).

For thousands of years, essential oils have been widely used in cooking, medicine, perfumery and cosmetics. But it was at the end of the 1928th century, in France, that the modern history of aromatherapy began. It was then that the ability of essential oils to neutralize bacteria was scientifically proven (around the same time, antibiotics were discovered, which had the effect of excluding aromatherapy from the field of medicine). We owe to René-Maurice Gattefossé, in XNUMX, the first use of the term aromatherapy. History teaches us that he is at the origin of the aromatherapy neologism. Indeed, this chemist devoted all his research to the properties of essential oils after a severe burn to the hands which he treated by chance with essential oil of true lavender.

This is the Dct. Jean Valnet who popularized the incredible therapeutic power of essential oils

Aromatherapy is one of the tools available to aromatherapists, aromatologists and naturopaths. It is very useful against ailments (problems of the ear-nose-throat sphere, various digestive disorders, sleep problems, various pains, problems related to the menstrual cycle and menopause … the uses are vast). Its most convincing action is of an antiseptic nature (against bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites). It is therefore used very effectively for the hygiene of interior spaces at home, in aesthetic care and for relaxation, and more and more frequently in the prevention and treatment of nosocomial infectious diseases in hospital settings. Certain essential oils also have a beneficial action on the psycho-emotional level and to counter stress and anxiety, and all the disorders related to the management of the emotions.

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