When people first feel a calling to use aromatherapy, one of the fears that comes to mind is the idea that essential oils are just ‘woo’ and have no scientific therapeutic value whatsoever. So today I simply wanted to dispel the myth that aromatherapy is something a ‘charlatan’ advocates, and reveal the real healing art and science behind this particular natural, plant-based medicine.
So let’s dive into three common myths and explore the real, underlying science and art of this amazing healing therapy, which uses plant extracts for healing and has a positive impact on our health and well-being.
Myth #1: Aromatherapy is ‘witchcraft’
I think the most common fear that can arise for people who feel called to aromatherapy is the idea that they are engaging in “witchcraft.” There is a real fear of the idea of being a ‘witch’, of playing with potions, and the idea emerges of mixing things up in a cauldron and causing damage.
Yet there is a whole lot of ‘psychological science’ we can explore here about the times of ‘witch burning’ and how that ‘conditions’ us to avoid nature’s healing. Hundreds of years ago, people who used plants as medicine – herbs and plant extracts – were burned at the stake; and science proves that the ‘fear’ of what our previous generations experienced will stay with us.
In particular, the scientific study of ‘epigenetics’ proves that things that influenced our ancestors will influence their DNA and be passed on to us. This means that it is likely that if your ancestors were healers and were burned at the stake, the fear of being a ‘witch’ could stay with you. It is therefore understandable that you may feel both the desire and the fear to work with aromatherapy – and yet you can learn to harness essential oils for good in a world where we are no longer burned at the stake for the use of healing agents.
Essentially, Jungian psychology shows that the myth and legend of the “witch” has become this scary figure – a cultural wound – that can innocently keep us from embracing the “natural healer” within us that can truly work with aromatherapy to create real healing.
And even though in this world we are used to ‘quick fix’ medicines, and nature’s medicine can be a ‘longer’ healing route – it may not always be as ‘fast’ as regular medicine, it ‘works’ still. Now let’s dive into the myth that this isn’t the case…
Myth #2: ‘Natural medicine’ is just ‘plants’ – and nature can’t ‘do’ anything
A common belief that many people have about essential oils is that they are ‘natural’ and therefore don’t actually ‘do’ anything – and this is a huge misconception.
For starters – while, yes, essential oils are “natural,” and there has been a lot of conditioning in our culture about the idea that “natural” medicines don’t have “efficacy” (that perform their job satisfactorily) – people forget that plant often. oils are still chemicals. This assumption can often (and heartbreakingly) lead to the underestimation of the power and misuse of essential oils; See, for example, our article about the discussion whether they should be ‘taken’ (which we are not in favor of for this reason).
It is a fact that in many cases the properties of plants have been or are being used in much mainstream medicine. A classic example is how an extract of the opium poppy became morphine, the strong painkiller.
So debunking the myth that essential oils are merely ‘woo’ starts with seeing the fact that science itself is harnessing nature’s plants – and the fact that these oils are ‘chemicals’ shows that we need to take them seriously can take.
Myth #3: Aromatherapy is not ‘scientifically’ proven – the oils have no ‘therapeutic properties’
People have used plants to heal since ancient times – whether herbs, leaves, fruits or bark – plants and their medicinal properties have been used for thousands of years – and while that may make it seem like there is no ‘science’ behind it is, it could also be seen that plants were (are) the basis of medicine.
Not only that, but a lot of scientific research has been done over the years to determine how essential oils are therapeutic and bring about change. Recent research from 2024 – which included a systematic review of 12 years of PubMed publications on aromatherapy, conducted by Pezantes-Orellana et al (1), and presented in the journal ‘Frontiers in Medicine’ – concludes:
“Essential oils have been shown to have multiple health benefits, primarily due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Essential oils have many therapeutic properties. They are beneficial to human health in many ways.”
Similarly, the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) describes Aromatherapy as the practice of using essential oils for ‘therapeutic purposes’ – either through fragrance molecules inhaled through the nose (working through our olfactory and limbic systems), or directly enter the bloodstream. (enter through our hair follicles, sweat glands and fat molecules in the skin), via massage.
‘Family’ traits of plants – where to start
Now that we’ve established that there is a scientific and therapeutic benefit (and that you are not a witch, even if you fear being perceived as one!), we wanted to conclude with a brief overview of the healing properties of some of the witches . common plant families, so you can get an idea of the general ‘therapeutic’ benefits of different types of essential oils.
This is a very ‘basic’ generalization of the different plant families and their properties, so I recommend you start here and explore each oil and its unique therapeutic properties as you go, but it is a useful ‘overview’ that can help you get an idea of ’how’ to start working with healing essential oils as you start getting into it.
Family Munt
The mint family of essential oils has a minty scent and includes oils such as spearmint and peppermint. Overall, their therapeutic properties are cooling, stimulating, invigorating and brightening.
Citrus family
The citrus family of essential oils consists of light oils with a fruity, spicy scent and includes oils such as lemon, orange, tangerine, tangerine, lime, lemongrass, grapefruit and bergamot. Their therapeutic properties are generally cleansing, refreshing, stimulating and uplifting. , energetic and emotionally jubilant.
Flower family
The floral family of essential oils have a sweet, floral scent and are quite feminine and romantic. They include oils such as lavender, rose, geranium, jasmine, ylang ylang, chamomile and neroli and generally their therapeutic properties are relaxing, comforting, hormonal balancing and sleep-inducing.
Camphor family
The camphor family of essential oils smell strong and medicinal and includes oils such as camphor and eucalyptus. Overall, their therapeutic properties are stimulating, warming, refreshing and support strong focus.
Family Hout
The wood family of essential oils smell ‘musky’ and ‘woodsy’ – perhaps more ‘masculine’. They include oils such as cedarwood, sandalwood, rosewood, patchouli, pine and cypress and overall their therapeutic properties are grounding, comforting and balancing.
Spice family
The herbal family of essential oils has an exotic, warm, spicy scent and includes oils such as ginger, cinnamon and black pepper. In general, their therapeutic properties are warming, stimulating and energizing.
Frankincense family (Resin)
The frankincense family of essential oils smells earthy and includes oils such as frankincense and myrrh. Overall, their therapeutic properties are grounding, relaxing, meditative and spiritually strengthening.
This is just a guide to their ‘general’ therapeutic indications as a ‘category’ of oils, so if you’re working with something specific, I highly recommend delving deeper into the specific therapeutic properties of each oil; Rose, for example, can be very hormonally balanced, works wonders for sadness and is excellent for dry, mature skin.
I would also invite you to follow your nose – our bodies call us to specific essential oils that we need, so the invitation is to start trusting them.
While there is a science to essential oils, there is also a “healing art” to working with them. That’s why I call them a mix of real science and art.
Happy mixing.
Nicole Barton
Advisor Aromatherapist
Disclaimer and safety advice
References:
- Pezantes-Orellana, C. et al, 2024. Essential oils: a systematic review on a revolution in health, nutrition and omics for optimal well-being. Front side. Med., Vol 11 2024, Sec. Translational Medicine, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1337785