1.2 Limitations of knowledge

1.3 Public misuse of essential oils

A large number of aromatherapy books are written for laymen. In this regard, the authors generally believe that the recommended doses of special attention and the use of those substances should be avoided, thereby avoiding possible side effects and litigation arising therefrom. Therefore, the recommended dose of essential oils is extremely low, and those that are considered possible, such as pregnant women, are listed under each essential oil without exception. When we look at these aromatherapy books, we find that these publications, which are easily distributed to the public, are often used as training materials for aromatherapists. After in-depth research, we will also find that the publications provided to practitioners and health professionals are similar and make many of the same recommendations. What are the reasons? I think aromatherapy still needs to go beyond just treating sadness to restore a good level of sensation. Just like the standard set of procedures that herbal doctors have trained and practiced, training aromatherapists is comprehensive and involves a variety of pharmacological effects of essential oils. Such comprehensive knowledge includes both the positive effects of essential oils and their side effects.

As I mentioned earlier, the training of whole aromatherapy has not made any in-depth considerations about the chemical composition of essential oils and their known pharmacological effects. The recommended doses and side effects of essential oils described in the aromatherapy literature are based on incomplete or one-sided understanding of existing knowledge. Much of the discussion in many publications is the product of a one-sided understanding of various materials. If the authors are not clear about the side effects of certain essential oils, then he may list as many side effects as possible to avoid people using them or using them in large doses. Excessively even listing non-authentic side effects may be considered a laudable thing, but these exaggerated arguments have had negative consequences, that is, it is widely believed that the use of essential oils can be extremely dangerous. I personally think that those who call themselves aromatherapists should be proficient in the proper use of essential oils and be familiar with their potential toxicity, just as we generally believe that people who are medicinal in herbal medicine must be familiar with universal prescriptions.

According to the concept proposed by Daniel Penoel, we regard the holistic aromatherapy as a basic energy attribute. This idea, first proposed by the Frenchman Maugerite Maury in the 1930s, has become the mainstream of aromatherapy in English-speaking countries. Use relatively small doses of essential oils, generally no more than 2.5% in massage oils, the main therapeutic effect may be a secondary "energy" or just "local" effect, these effects and acupuncture or homeopathic The therapeutic effect is similar, and is the result of the action of aroma molecules on the olfactory bulb. The whole aromatherapy originated from beauty therapy, and the training of aromatherapists is still limited to massage and other application methods today, rather than in-depth study of the chemistry and pharmacology of essential oils and the history of the application of essential oils in traditional medicine. In her book "Guide to Aromatherapy," Maury claims that she avoids using essential oils as a drug, including oral administration. She thinks this is a matter for professional physicians. Affected by Maury's above work, the overall aromatherapy continues to develop, especially in the UK, where the famous aromatherapists are Marceline Arcier and Daniele Dyman. We have found that a special creed (dogma) is drawn from the field of beauty therapy, that is, aromatherapy is a kind of mitigation therapy derived from the energy point of view. Emphasizing the use of small doses of essential oils and avoiding oral and other high-dose applications, this particular bias has long been recognized as the philosophical basis for the widespread view of essential oil toxicity. On the contrary, the French physicians include naturopathic practitioners (natural medicine refers to the use of drugs, the use of air, sunlight, water, heat, etc.) and herbal medicine practitioners advocate the aroma - The medical method is more practical and reasonable. The "French-style" method mentioned in the book "Aromatherapy" published by RMGattefosse in the 1930s often uses essential oils in large doses, both internally and externally, to produce a dose-dependent pharmacological effect. Aromatic-medical methods require an in-depth understanding of the chemical structure of essential oil components and the pharmacological and toxicological effects of essential oils, allowing aromatherapists to determine safe doses and prevent side effects during use. Therefore, I believe that It is more scientific to determine the recommended dose of essential oil based on pharmacological effects.