Aromatherapy, like pharmacology, is inseparable from toxicology. Toxicology is the science of poisons, and can be summed up in a single phrase: "It's the dose that counts!
When using active substances, we must bear in mind this precept of Theophrastus von Hohenheim, known as Paracelsus (1493-1541): "If you want to explain precisely the action of each poison, then you must ask yourself what is not a poison? Every substance is a poison, and none is harmless. It's the dose that makes a substance non-toxic".
All substances are potentially toxic, and this toxicity is linked to the dose administered. However, the truth of this reasoning depends on the dose reaching a given organ, i.e. its toxicokinetic profile (what happens to the substance in the body) and toxicodynamic profile (how it acts on its target).
This result is the combination of :
As the use of essential oils has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, the risk of intoxication has increased accordingly.
Aromatherapy is therapy using essential oils. It is the use of aromatic compounds extracted from plants for medical purposes. This distinguishes it from phytotherapy, which uses all the elements of a plant.
It uses a concentrate of plants; it is not an alternative medicine; there are numerous contraindications and precautions for use.
Essential oils are complex products containing volatile active ingredients found in plants. To obtain them, two methods are currently recognized by the French Pharmacopoeia:
Note: Depending on the part processed, the same plant may yield different essential oils. Chromatographic analysis of an essential oil reveals its compounds. The main ones are terpene carbides, sesquiterpene carbides, alcohols, mixtures of esters and alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, etc.
Each essential oil must be identified by 3 criteria:
Examples:
That's why only an essential oil clearly defined by these 3 criteria can be used safely for therapeutic purposes. Essential oils are not harmless products. They are lipophilic, so they are rapidly absorbed by the respiratory, cutaneous and digestive tracts.
Essential oils used in therapeutics must meet strict physico-chemical standards published in the French Pharmacopoeia. A reputable supplier must provide for each essential oil:
Essential oils are volatile, photosensitive and heat-sensitive substances. To preserve their effectiveness, it is essential to store them:
Essential oils used for therapeutic purposes must be listed in the French Pharmacopoeia, where physicochemical standards are published. For each E.O., the supplier must be able to present a chemical profile carried out by gas chromatography (GC), defining ranges of constituents deemed important for a given essential oil. Essential oils are highly volatile, oxidize easily and are both photosensitive and heat-sensitive. For this reason, they must be stored away from light, heat and, above all, oxygen in the air.
Aromatherapy is based on the rigorous use of essential oils, whose therapeutic properties derive from their complex biochemical composition. However, their potency calls for heightened vigilance, as their toxicity depends on many factors, including dose, route of administration and user profile. A quality essential oil must be perfectly identified and preserved to ensure its safety and efficacy.
Aromatherapy is not a trivial approach. It requires professional supervision to guarantee safe use and optimize its therapeutic benefits.
Soin-et-Nature offers a wide selection of essential oils for a variety of health and well-being needs. Here are the sub-categories available:
These essential oils available on Soin-et-Nature offer natural, effective solutions to care for your health, well-being and comfort on a daily basis.
