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Alternative Medicine Blog

By Cathy Wong, About.com Guide to Alternative Medicine since 2000

What is Aromatherapy?

Wednesday February 18, 2004
Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses the medicinal properties of the essential oils of plants and herbs. The use of plant essential oils dates back to the ancient times in Egypt, Italy, India, and China.

French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy in 1937, when he witnessed first-hand the healing power of lavender oil on healing skin burns. Information about how aromatherapy works, conditions treated, and types of home treatments. Read the full story.

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