Aromatherapy as a part of anthropological discourse
Vol.10,No.2(2019)
This article deals with aromatherapy as a new subject of research for medical anthropology and ethnomedicine. It draws attention to the fact that while Western biomedicine has the monopoly on certain medical practices and provision of medical services, it allows for coexistence of traditional and/or alternative treatments and methods. The first part of the article focuses on defining aromatherapy as one of the natural holistic methods using essential oils as healing substances affecting the physical as well as mental aspects of the human body. Special attention is paid to analysing aromatherapy from the perspective of the patient’s personal participation in the treatment, its control and creation of space for asserting values and standards influencing the quality of health and life. The following part describes in detail essential oils, their effects and technological procedures of their manufacture. Consequently, the article discusses the methods of application of essential oils. The last section of the article presents the history and describes various aspects of how essential oils are perceived today, their objective pharmacologic characteristics, how they influence personal experience, their cultural contexts and the formation marketing myths surrounding them. Speaking of marketing, the text elaborates on the issue of commodification of aromatherapy and essential oils, making the consumption of essential oils of primary importance. Essential oil characteristics are now increasingly dominated more and more by the semiotic layer linked with the meaning and symbols of their use.
aromatherapy; essential oils; medical anthropology; ethnomedicine
Ali, B. – Al-Wabel, N. A. – Shams, S. et al. (2015): Essential Oils Used in Aromatherapy: A Systemic Review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 5(8), 601−611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007
Appadurai, A. (1986): Introduction: Commodities and the Politics of Value. In Appadurai, A. (Ed.), The Social Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 3–63. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511819582.003
Aazza, S. – Lyoussi, B. – Megías, C. et al. (2014): Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferative Activities of Moroccan Commercial Essential Oils. Natural Product Communications 9(4), 587−594. https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578X1400900442
Atkinson, A. (2015): Essential Oils for Beauty, Wellness, and the Home: 100 Natural, Non-toxic Recipes for the Beginner and Beyond. New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
Bach, E. (2010): Heal Thyself. New York: Random House.
Baer, H. – Singer, M. (1997): Medical Anthropology and the World System: A Critical Perspective. Westport: Bergin & Garvey.
Banks, S. R. (2014): Revelation!: Reveal Your Destiny with Essential Oils. Bloomington: Balboa Press.
Başer, K. H. C. – Buchbauer, G. (2010): Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420063165
Berger, R. (2007): Flavours and Fragrances Chemistry, Bioprocessing, and Sustainability. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-49339-6
Calcabrini, A. – Stringaro, A. – Toccacieli, L. et al. (2004): Terpinen-4-ol, The Main Component of Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil Inhibits the In Vitro Growth of Human Melanoma Cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 122(2), 349−360. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0022-202X.2004.22236.x
Cerempei, A. (2017): Aromatherapeutic Textiles. IntechOpen, https://doi.org/10.5772/66544
Classen, C. – Howes, D. – Synnott, A. (1994): Aroma: The Cultural History of Smell. London: Routledge.
Cooksley, V. G. (2002): Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal. Paramus: Prentice Hall.
Damianovi, P., K. (1997): Aromaterapie: Vůně a duše. Využití éterických olejů pro získání tělesné i duševní pohody. Praha: Volvox Globator.
Davis, P. (2005): Aromaterapie od A do Z: Vše o aromaterapii. Praha: Alternativa.
Falsetto, S. (2014): Authentic Aromatherapy: Essential Oils and Blends for Health. New York: Skyhorse Publishing.
Farrer-Halls, G. (2007): Aromaterapie od A do Z: Podrobný průvodce světem esenciálních olejů. Praha: Metafora.
Frankenberg, R. (1980): Medical Anthropology and Development: A Theoretical Perspective. Social Science and Medicine 14B, 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7987(80)90045-9
Freeman, L. W. (2004): Mosby's Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research Based Approach. St. Louis: Mosby.
Goldberg, L. (2001): Massage and Aromatherapy: A Practical Approach. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Gordon, D. (1988): Tenacious Assumptions in Western Medicine. In Lock, M. – Gordon, D. (Eds.), Biomedicine Reconsidered. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 19–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2725-4_3
Gould, F. (2003): Aromatherapy for Holistic Therapists. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Grosjean, N. (2003): Velká kniha aromaterapie: Jak si zachovat zdraví a cítit se dobře pomocí aromatických olejů. Olomouc: Fontána.
Hahn, R. A. – Kleinman, A. (1983): Biomedical Practice and Anthropological Theory: Frameworks and Directions. Annual Review of Anthropology 12, 305−333. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.an.12.100183.001513
Hamid, A. – Aiyelaagbe, O. – Usman, L. (2011): Essential Oils: Its Medicinal and Pharmacological Uses. International Journal of Current Research 33(2), 86–98.
Harding, J. (2003): Tajemství aromaterapie. Praha: Svojtka.
Hertzka, G. – Strehlow, W. (2002): Léčebné umění Hildegardy z Bingenu. Praha: Alternativa.
Hirsch, A. R. (1992): Nostalgia: A Neuropsychiatric Understanding. Advances in Consumer Research 19, 390−395.
Hongratanaworakit, T. (2004): Physiological Effects in Aromatherapy. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology 26(1), 117−125.
Houdret, J.-C. (1998): Vůně, která léčí. Praha: Volvox Globator.
Houghton, M. (2018): In Focus Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Your Personal Guide. Minneapolis: Book Sales.
Chouhan, S.– Sharma, K. – Guleria, S. (2017): Antimicrobial Activity of Some Essential Oils: Present Status and Future Perspectives. Medicines 4, 58−79. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4030058
Ingold, T. (2011): Being Alive: Essays on Movement, Knowledge and Description. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203818336
Keville, K. (2016): The Aromatherapy Garden: Growing Fragrant Plants for Happiness and Well-Being. Portland: Timber Press.
King, J. R. (1994): Scientific Status of Aromatherapy. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 37, 409−415. https://doi.org/10.1353/pbm.1994.0086
Kotskirilos, V. – Vietta, L. – Sali, A. (2011): A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine. New York: Churchill Livingstone.
Křížová, E. (2015): Alternativní medicína v České republice. Praha: Karolinum.
Lau, K. J. (2000): New Age Capitalism: Making Money East of Eden. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. https://doi.org/10.9783/9781512820010
Lavabre, M. (1996): Aromatherapy Workbook. Rochester: Healing Arts Press.
Lavery, S. (1998): Aromaterapie v kostce. Praha: Slovart.
Lieban, R. W. (1977): The Field of Medical Anthropology. In Landy, D. (Ed.), Culture, Disease, and Healing: Studies in Medical Anthropology. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 13−31.
Lis-Balchin, M. (2006): Aromatherapy Science: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
Lock, M. – Nguyen, V. K. (2010): An Anthropology of Biomedicine. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Mailhebiau, P. (1995): Portraits in Oils: The Personality of Aromatherapy Oils and Their Link with Human Temperaments. Saffron Walden: CW Daniel Co.
Maury, M. (1974): Secret of Life and Youth: Regeneration Through Essential Oils. A Modern Alchemy. London: Macdonald.
McGilvery, C. (2002): Aromaterapie, masáž, jóga. Praha: Svojtka & Co.
Noe, M. (2011): Dobré věci nejsou špatné: Kniha zdravějšího vaření a pečení. Praha: One Woman Press.
Morag, N. (2011): Essential Oils for Animals. Florida: Off the Leash Press.
Noe, M. (2014): Aromaterapie do kapsy: Malá encyklopedie éterických olejů. Praha: One Woman Press.
Nováková, B. – Šedivý, Z. (1996): Praktická aromaterapie. Praha: Pragma.
Pavela, R. (2006): Rostlinné insekticidy: Hubíme hmyz bez chemie. Praha: Grada.
Pitman, V. (2004): Aromatherapy: A Practical Approach. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Poole, R. – Gessler, W. (2005): Medical Anthropology: Understanding Public Health. New York: Open University Press.
Price, S. (1993): Aromatherapy Workbook. London: Thorsons.
Price, S. – Price, L. (1995): Aromatherapy for Health Professionals. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Rhind, J. P. (2012): Essential Oils: A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice Second. London: Singing Dragon.
Ross, A. L. (2012): The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine. New York: Berg.
Salvador, A. – Chisvert, A. (Eds.) (2007): Analysis of Cosmetic Products. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Schiller, R. (1999): Svatá Hildegarda a její léčebné metody: Léčení v souladu s přírodou. Zachování prvotních životních sil. Praha: Ikar.
Sibley, V. (2008): Aromaterapie pro každého: Esenciální oleje pro povzbuzení mysli, těla a duše. Praha: Svojtka & Co.
Skaria, B. P. (2007): Aromatic Plants. Delhi: New India Publishing.
Slepičková, L. – Šlesingerová, E. – Šmídová, I. (2012): Biomoc a reprodukční biomedicína: Konceptuální inspirace pro česky kontext. Sociologický časopis 48(1), 85−106.
Sommer, S. J. (1996): Mind-body Medicine and Holistic Approaches: The Scientific Evidence. Australian Family Physician 25(8), 1233−1237, 1240−1241, 1244.
Snyder, M. – Lindquist, R. (Eds.) (2006): Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Nursing. New York: Springer.
Snyder, M. (2019): The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, Reclaim Your Energy and Focus and Lose Weight Naturally. New York: Rodale.
Sowndhararajan, K. – Kim, S. (2016): Influence of Fragrances on Human Psychophysiological Activity: With Special Reference to Human Electroencephalographic Response. Scientia Pharmaceutica 84(4), 724−751. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm84040724
Stoner, B. P. (1986): Understanding Medical Systems: Traditional, Modern, and Syncretic Health Care Alternatives in Medically Pluralistic Societies. Medical Anthropology 17(2), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1937-6219.1986.tb01021.x
Svoboda, K. P. – Deans, S. G. (1995): Biological Activities of Essential Oils From Selected Aromatic Plants. Acta Horticulture 390, 203−209. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.390.28
Swamy, M. K. – Akhtar, M. S. – Sinniah, U. R. (2016): Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Essential Oils Against Human Pathogens and Their Mode of Action: An Updated Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 3, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3012462
Synovitz, L. B. – Larson, K. L. (2013): Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Health Professionals: A Holistic Approach to Consumer Health. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Synnott, A. (1993): The Body Social: Symbolism, Self and Society. London: Routledge.
Tiran, D. (2016): Aromatherapy in Midwifery Practice. London: Singing Dragon.
Tisserand, R. (1992): Umění aromaterapie: Domácí i odborná léčba vonnými esencemi rostlin. Kosmetika, omlazování, chronické i akutní nemoci. Praha: Alternativa.
Tisserand, R. – Young, R. (2014): Essential Oil Safety: A Guide For Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh: Elsevier Limited. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-06241-4.00013-8
Tomášková, H. (2014): Terapie esenciálními oleji pro vyvážení životní energie: Aromaterapie & čakry. Staré Hradiště: Hanna Maria Therapy.
Turin, L. (2006): The Secret of Scent: Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell. New York: Ecco.
van der Geest, S. (1991): Pharmaceutical Anthropology: Perspective for Research and Application. In van der Geest, S. – White, S. R. (Eds.), The Context of Medicine in Developing Countries: Studies in Pharmaceutical Anthropology. Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis Publishers, 329−366. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2713-1_17
van der Geest, S. – Whyte, S. R. – Hardon, A. (1996): The Anthropology of Pharmaceuticals: Abiographical Approach. Annual Review of Anthropology 25, 153−178. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.25.1.153
Vigan, M. (2010): Essential Oils: Renewal of Interest and Toxicity. European Journal of Dermatology 20, 685–692.
Wheeler Robins, J. L. (1999): The Science and Art of Aromatherapy. Journal of Holistic Nursing 17(1), 5−17. https://doi.org/10.1177/089801019901700102
Whyte, S. R. – van der Geest, S. – Hardon, A. (2002): Social Lives of Medicines. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wildwood, C. (1996): The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy. Rochester: Healing Arts Press.
Wilson, D. – Stevenson, R. (2010): Learning to Smell: Olfactory Perception from Neurobiology to Behaviour. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Wilson, R. (2002): Aromatherapy: Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty. New York: Avery.
Worwood, V. A. (2001): Aromatherapy for the Beauty Therapist. London: Thompson Learning.
Worwood, V. A. (2012): The Fragrant Heavens: The Spiritual Dimension of Fragrance and Aromatherapy. Novato: New World Library.
Worwood, V. A. (2016): The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Revised and Expanded. Novato: New World Library.
Copyright © 2019 Barbora Půtová