11/07/2017
RENE-MAURICE GATTEFOSSE
Born in Montchat near Lyon in 1881, René-Maurice Gattefossé is now known as the Father of Aromatherapy and the creator of the word "Aromatherapy" itself.
In 1910 he first discovered the virtue of the essential oil of lavender by accident. Gattefosse was working in a laboratory when he burned his hand badly on a bunsen burner during an experiment. He plunged his hand into the nearest container of liquid available which just happened to be lavender essential oil. He was amazed at how quickly his burn was soothed and it healed in record time with minimal blistering and very little scarring. This started his journey, exploration and experimentation with essential oils. Gattefosse used essential oils during the First World War on soldiers in military hospitals, where he applied and utilised oils of lavender, lemon, thyme and clove for their antiseptic and healing properties.