René-Maurice Gattefossé
René-Maurice Gattefossé was a pioneering French chemist, born in 1881 near Lyon, who is widely recognized as the founder of contemporary aromatherapy. His family's background in perfumery, established by his father in 1880, provided a foundation for his exploration of aromatics. After studying chemical engineering, Gattefossé joined the family business and later a research group focusing on the scientific properties of essential oils. His notable discovery of aromatherapy is often attributed to a personal incident in which he applied lavender oil to a burn, leading him to investigate the healing properties of various oils.
In 1937, Gattefossé introduced the term "aromatherapy" in his book "Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales," solidifying his role as a key figure in the field. He claimed that essential oils possessed various therapeutic properties, including antiseptic and antimicrobial effects, and speculated on their psychological benefits. Gattefossé's work laid the groundwork for modern interest in essential oils, which have gained popularity as natural wellness alternatives in recent years. While essential oils can contribute to stress relief and relaxation, caution is advised regarding broader medical claims and their potential toxicity in certain environments.
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René-Maurice Gattefossé
- Born: 1881; Montchat, near Lyon, France
- Died: 1950; Casablanca, Morocco
Overview
René-Maurice Gattefossé was a French chemist who founded contemporary aromatherapy and is credited with coining the term.
Gattefossé’s family developed perfume and other aromatics. His father founded Etablissements Gattefossé in southern France in 1880, producing various oils, perfume components, ointments, and related products. Gattefossé studied chemical engineering at the University of Lyon, subsequently worked with his family business, and eventually joined other research groups to investigate the potential roles of aromatics and essential oils for cosmetology, dermatology, psychology, and general clinical use. In 1907, Gattefossé formally joined a research group that investigated the scientific properties of various aromatics and oils. However, he later parted ways with the group to conduct his own research studies.
Sources suggest that Gattefossé first discovered aromatherapy while working in a laboratory after he burned his hand and doused it with the nearest liquid: lavender oil. Many historians suggest that this “self-experimentation” was no accident. After this experience, Gattefossé found that his hand healed more quickly than expected, which led him to investigate the therapeutic properties of other, similar aromatic oils. Gattefossé provided preventive and post-injury treatment to several persons during the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Many researchers before Gattefossé speculated that various aromatic derivatives had antimicrobial and therapeutic capacities. Still, Gattefossé’s research and publications clearly articulated these effects and went beyond the conclusions of many previous studies. In 1937, he first used the term “aromatherapy” in print, in a book on the subject, Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales (Gattefossé’s Aromatherapy, 1993). Thus, he is recognized as a key figure in clinical aromatherapy.
Gattefossé claimed that various essential oils had antiseptic, bactericidal, antiviral, and antitoxic properties during his career. In particular, he claimed in his writings that he had used oils to cure skin cancer, skin ulcers, gangrene, and poisonous spider bites, in addition to many other ailments. Gattefossé also speculated that essential oils had various psychological and calming effects, and he suggested that different aromatics and oil combinations could produce intentional effects in exposed persons. Many modern-day aromatherapists credit Gattefossé with launching this ever-growing field.
Essential oils have exploded in popularity in the twenty-first century due to increased interest in natural wellness products and the desire to find alternatives to traditional medicine. There is little doubt that essential oils and aromatherapy can relieve stress and provide relaxation. Some essential oils do have antimicrobial and antiseptic qualities. However, making broader medical claims about their abilities is dangerous. Careful consideration should be given to the environment in which they are used, as they can be toxic to children and pets.
Bibliography
"Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work?" Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
"The Foundation: René-Maurice Gattefossé." The Gattefossé Foundation, www.fondation-gattefosse.org/en/rene-maurice-gattefosse. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
Frysh, Paul. "How To Use Essential Oils: 16 Tips for Essential Oil Safety." WebMD, 29 Sept. 2023, www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-essential-oils. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
Gattefossé, René-Maurice. Gattefossé’s Aromatherapy. 2nd ed., Edited by Robert B. Tisserand. Random House, 2004.
Schnaubelt, Kurt. Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils. Berkeley, Calif.: Frog Books, 1999.
Valnet, Jean. The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties. Edited by Robert B. Tisserand. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press, 1990.