Clinical aromatherapy is the rigorous therapeutic use of chemotyped essential oils, grounded in the pharmacology of aromatic molecules. From ancient Egypt to the works of Gattefossé and Valnet, this discipline combines millennia-old tradition with modern scientific validation.
The aromatogram is a laboratory test that evaluates a pathogenic germ's sensitivity to different essential oils, using a methodology directly inspired by the antibiogram. It enables personalized and targeted aromatic prescription, particularly valuable in recurrent infections.
Cutaneous application is the most commonly used administration route in clinical aromatherapy. Mastering dilution ratios, choosing carrier vegetable oils, and applying aromatic massage techniques enable optimal absorption while minimizing dermotoxicity risks.
Atmospheric diffusion of essential oils and olfactotherapy exploit the olfactory pathway to act on the limbic system, the center of emotions and memory. Clinical protocols treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, and cognitive disorders through targeted inhalation.
The oral route is the most powerful administration route in clinical aromatherapy, reserved for trained professionals. It enables treatment of systemic infections, digestive disorders, and chronic conditions through precise protocols using capsules, oily solutions, and other galenic forms.