Aromachology and Aromatherapy - Do You Know The Difference?

Aromachology and Aromatherapy both promote theminds are suddenly flooded with a memory and the
positive effects of fragrance on mood and emotionemotions associated with that memory. There is an
but that may be where the similarity ends. Referencesanatomical basis for this phenomenon. Within the
in commercial writing often blur their distinctions leavinghuman brain the primary olfactory cortex, which
many readers confused. Read on and learn theprocesses information about odors, is directly
difference.connected to the amygdala, which controls the
Aromachology is the scientific study of the effects ofexpression and experience of emotion, and the
fragrance on human psychology and behavior. Thishippocampus, which controls the consolidation of
term was coined in 1989 by what is now the Sense ofmemories.
Smell Institute, a division of The Fragrance Foundation,These are primitive functions that have been around
which in turn is the non-profit, educational arm of thesince the time in early evolution when we needed to
international fragrance industry. Aromachologyuse our sense of smell for survival. Controlled studies
emphasizes controlled scientific study, deals only withwould suggest that our appreciation of an odor and
the psychological effects of fragrance and considersour emotional response to it, are determined by the
both natural and synthetic odorants. Aromachology isemotional context in which the odor was first
driven by corporate sponsorship and ultimatelyencountered, even if the association is subtle and we
endeavors to identify fragrance applications that haveare not consciously aware of it. This is why our
commercial opportunity.appreciation of odors is such a personal matter and
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant essentialwhy there are significant differences in odor
oils to improve physical health as well as psychologicalpreference from one culture to the next.
health. The term was first used in 1928 by FrenchBoth natural and synthetic odorants can trigger a
chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse to describe thepsychological response which is at the heart of
healing action of aromatic plant essences but the useAromachology but only the appropriate essential oil will
of herbs and plant oils dates back to antiquity. Thecause a specific physiological response which is the
practice of Aromatherapy remains an integral part ofhealing goal of Aromatherapy.
folk medicine. The pharmacology of essential oils isAre the claims of Aromatherapy unproven? It is true
seldom studied scientifically as there is no commercialthat there is little scientific research into the
incentive to do so. Aromatherapy uses only pure,pharmacology of essential oils. Lack of funding is the
natural essential oils, each with specific attributes forprimary reason. Essential oils are not patentable and so
healing, and how they smell is secondary to theirwith a few exceptions there is no commercial
therapeutic action.incentive for conducting research. On the other hand,
The two disciplines appear to overlap wherethanks to Aromachology controlled studies have
aromatherapy uses inhalation of diffused oils to treatvalidated some of the historical claims for essential oils.
conditions related to mood and emotion, such asFor example, it has been proven that Rosemary
anxiety, depression, lethargy, or irritability. But even inenhances cognitive performance, Peppermint is
this circumstance, there is an important distinction.invigorating and Lavender is relaxing. The practice of
Aromatherapy does not endorse the use of artificialAromatherapy has withstood the test of time. Within
fragrances which have no therapeutic value and canwestern cultures its popularity as a complementary
not affect mood beyond the psychological effects ofmedicine continues to grow.
"odor memory". On the other hand, researchers inIn reality there is no conflict between Aromachology
Aromachology will point out that the special virtues ofand Aromatherapy because they have different
essential oils are not supported by a substantial bodyagendas and neither invalidates the other. In the end,
of clinical evidence. But is there really a conflict?Aromachology may prove to be of great benefit to
The fact that our emotions are affected by fragranceAromatherapy by adding the weight of modern
is widely accepted. Memory and emotion are oftenresearch to the large body of common knowledge
strongly associated with odor. We have allthat has supported it for hundreds of years.
experienced it. A whiff of a particular odor and our