Gattefosses Aromatherapy by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse

By Emma, Wrexham View Profile
First published in 1937 in France, this classic book is by the man who coined the word ‘aromatherapy’. The first chapter ‘Human Animal & Plant smells’ is an interesting introduction to aroma, which then leads onto ‘The classification of essential oils according to the chemical constituents’. ‘Essences in ancient pharmacopoeias’ include the traditional properties of aromatic plants including ‘exotic pharmacopoeia’ – some plants I’d not heard of and ones that are not used now. Chapter four includes ‘more recent works on essential oils’ and although ‘recent’ is quite out of date now, Robert Tisserand’s notes bring the book more up to date as they mention more recent research and give the book more longevity. The following chapter goes onto discuss ‘uses of the oils’ with examples and discussions on absorption of oils – the link between massage and oils hadn’t quite been made when this was written but is considered briefly here. There follows case studies which are medical in nature but demonstrate the efficacy of lavender and its amazing role in wound healing. The book concludes with a biography of Rene-Maurice Gattefosse’s life. Some of the book went scientifically above and beyond my Level 3 Diploma understanding; in this sense, it might be useful for the more advanced student. Although I did not find this an easy book to read, the section on lavender and wound healing speaks volumes, demonstrating why aromatherapy is so amazing and making this a book worthy of a place on any aromatherapist’s book shelf.