Aromatherapy is that area of complementary medicine which uses the naturally occurring volatile chemical compounds that impart odour to plants and animals, to alleviate certain kinds of symptoms of disease. The therapy is administered by applying the volatile compounds onto the skin as a massage or through inhalation.

        For thousands of years people have used Aromatherapy as an aid to physical and emotional well being. Egyptians were possibly the first to recognise the therapeutic powers of plant aromatic compounds, particularly the essential oils. An established tradition of aromatherapy also existed in China and India, for long. Jamil (1997) dates Aromatherapy to 6,000 years back, in ancient Egypt and India. In addition to being in wide use in the orient, Aromatherapy has gained new popularity in Europe and to some extent in the US, during past four or five decades.

        Aromatherapy is classified as a Sensory therapy (Jamil, 1997) and considered as a harmless natural treatment to improve and maintain well-being, and suppress anxiety. The world over, there seem to be about 300 different aromatic oils, employed in Aromatherapy, many of them used as a massage. Lawless (1997) provides a detailed and well illustrated account of aromatherapy. Sharma (1998) has given examples of aromatherapy in Ayurveda.

        The aromatic compounds have several therapeutic properties, not linked to the aroma that has psychological effects on us. Gattefosse, the early French aromatherapist, would burn his hand and dip into a bowl of lavender essence, to demonstrate that the hand heals very quickly. A long time ago research was conducted at Milan University, to demonstrate the advantages of aromatherapy in treating anxiety and depression (Mabey, 1988). Essential oils are believed to stimulate the olfactory nerves and exert influence on the brain centre that controls emotions. The nerve endings in the skin also are stimulated when the oils are applied to the skin. Aromatherapists believe that the dermal stimulus reaches the pituitary gland which exerts influence on other glands, including the adrenals, which in turn regulate stress or relaxation response (Mabey, 1988).

        Research has been conducted on the effects of Aromatherapy. For example, jasmine flowers suppressed lactation mimicking the effects of bromocriptine and cancer patients were relieved of anxiety. A number of studies have indicated that aromatherapy is suitable in the treatment of pain, psychological disturbance, allergies, skin conditions, gastro-intestinal disorders, cardio-vascular problems, urinary disturbances, gynaecological disturbances, behavioural anomalies of children, sports injuries, post-viral fatigue, side effects of chemotherapy, cancer and pregnancy (Jamil, 1997). But one has choose the most appropriate prescription. Jamil (1997) has a few suggestions, as for example, geranium for menstrual tension or lavender for headaches.

        Aromatic plants or their products or chemical compounds, are given internally in different therapy regimes, but if they are essential oils, some caution and clinical observation seem to be desired. Massaging is the most common way of administration. Inhalation is another means. Chamomile, lavender, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, and geranium oils are the most common oils used in aromatherapy.

        Even if they do not actually effect any cure, many aromatic compounds induce a pleasant feeling.

        Aromatic plants are considered in detail in the databases section and in Appendix 23, in this volume.

Jamil, T. 1997. Alternative medicine. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. pp 144-150.

Lawless, J. 1997. The complete illustrated guide to aromatherapy. Element Books Ltd., Dorset.

Mabey, R. 1988. (ed.) The complete new herbal. Elm Tree Books, London. pp 150-151.

Sharma, P.V. 1998. Pushpayurveda. Chaukambika, Varanasi.