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Aroma, touch and well‐being: following the mind to wellness
Author(s) -
Brahms J. C.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of cosmetic science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1468-2494
pISSN - 0142-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00219_02.x
Subject(s) - aromatherapy , variety (cybernetics) , psychology , cosmetics , engineering ethics , medicine , alternative medicine , engineering , computer science , pathology , artificial intelligence
Fragrances have been used since ancient times to deliver a variety of benefits. The term aromatherapy was first coined in the 1920s by a French chemist named Rene‐Maurice Gattefossé, referring specifically to the use of natural fragrance essential oils to treat injury and disease. More recently, the discovery that touch is an important part of healthy human development has led to a greater understanding of its role as an essential part of maintaining wellness. With the growing mainstream acceptance of holistic health care, herbal remedies and nutraceuticals, aromatherapy has become much more broadly defined to include benefits which are strictly cosmetic in nature. Today, a variety of products ranging from candles to dish‐washing liquids are marketed with ‘aromatherapy’ benefits. Although there is no legal definition of aromatherapy in the U.S.A., specific claims can affect whether a product is considered a cosmetic or a pharmaceutical. Outside of the U.S.A., the term aromatherapy itself has very specific connotations which can affect the regulatory status of potential product introductions. In recent years, a number of new tools such as psychophysical measures and brain imaging techniques have greatly enhanced our knowledge of how touch and aromas are interpreted by the mind and body. This symposium will review the current state of our understanding in this area with the objective of providing a clearer understanding of the sometimes subtle differences of the role of fragrance and touch in maintaining well‐being and enhancing personal attractiveness vs. those which are pharmacological in nature.