Abstract:

Aromatherapy is a supportive treatment form which administered by massage, compresses, of inhalation and baths with essential oils and essential oil bearing plants (aromatic plants). Today, aromatherapy is considered an important place among supportive therapy methods. Aromatherapy was first used to make the mummy in ancient Egyptian civilization about 6000 years ago. At the same time, it was seen as an expression of gratitude to the god in ancient Chinese civilization. This therapy first emerged in order to be used for therapy and beauty in ancient Greek civilizations. In the Roman Empire period, aromatherapy was used with massage techniques after the bath. As used today, Dr. René-Maurice Gattefossé is the father of modern aromatherapy. French chemist Dr. Gattefosse burned his hand by accident during an experiment and lavender oil was poured from the bottle in his hand in 1936. After this event, he noticed his hand had improved rapidly. As a result of his investigations, he found that the effects of this kind of fat have a strong antiseptic, disinfectant, rapid cell renewal, and healing affects. In addition to these affects, aromatic oils reach the lymphatic system through the blood circulation, and improve the therapy. Fragrant oils which used in aromatherapy are volatile and these kinds of oils stem from different parts of plant bark, leaf, flower, fruit, and seeds. These oils are obtained by steam distillation of aromatic plants. Unlike other body fats that used in daily life, these kinds of oils must be used carefully, due to the effects of absorbed by the skin very easily and very strong. In this study, as well as the history and general information about aromatherapy, some examples of oils which used in the treatment were addressed obtained from the plants of the region of Chukurova

Keywords: