Interview with Chairman of Aromatherapy Association Ms. Aslı Yazıcıoğlu

We conducted an interview with Ms. Aslı Yazıcıoğlu, Chairman of the Aromatherapy Association, on the organization's objectives and activities, exploring the rich history of aromatherapy.

Ms. Aslı Yazıcıoğlu, could you tell us about yourself and your professional background?

After graduating from Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy, I studied marketing at Brighton University in England and then completed an MBA (Master of Business Administration) program at Koç University. I started my career in the pharmaceutical sector as a product manager responsible for oncology. I organized international events that contributed to the development of the field and worked on projects that brought new-generation oncology products to Turkey. In the early 2000s, while operating my own pharmacy store, I deepened my research on aromatherapy and essential oils. I earned certification from ITHMA (The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy) and attended numerous courses in the USA and Europe. I received various aromatherapy trainings from leading experts in the field such as Gabriel Mojay and Robert Tisserand. In Southern France at the heart of medical aromatherapy, I completed the 4-level series of "Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy" trainings given by Rhiannon Lewis, the founder of Essential Oil Resources. I continued my studies, which initially focused on daily and aesthetic uses of aromatherapy, expanding to "Medical and Clinical Aromatherapy" by following global developments and innovations through international congresses and conferences. In 2016, I established the first hospital-based clinical aromatherapy consultation space at Liv Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, and worked there as a clinical aromatherapy expert. During the same period at the same hospital, I also worked on the development of personalized phytotherapy, aromatherapy and active cosmetic products as a member of the "Healthy Living Management Council" at "Stop Aging Clinic," which takes a multidisciplinary approach to health promotion. To contribute to the scientific development and conscious application of aromatherapy, I prepared the first training program for healthcare professionals at Bezmialem Foundation University.

This innovative education program with a comprehensive curriculum and multidisciplinary teaching staff continues as an important model in the field.

While serving as Turkey's ambassador for Botanica, the most important international organization in the field, I also provide content consultation for international organizations as a member of their scientific committees. I continue delivering trainings and presentations at global and industry-leading conferences on behalf of Turkey and develop projects with an advisory board of international experts.

Could you provide information about the Aromatherapy Association? What are the association's objectives and areas of activity?

Our association supports public awareness regarding essential oils, the correct and safe use of essential oils, the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, and the establishment of quality standards for products in the field. Our association's board of directors and members work on a voluntary basis, primarily to protect the public interest.

Let us discuss the history of aromatherapy. Could you share with us the timeline from the birth of aromatherapy thousands of years ago?

Throughout history, people have been attracted to and valued pleasant scents. The first scented oils in history are thought to have been obtained by mixing olive and sesame oil with aromatic plants during the Neolithic period between 7000-4000 B.C. In ancient times, incense was very important in Egypt and was frequently used for its purifying effects. It was documented that priests used incense and scented oils in religious ceremonies and in the mummification of the dead. Being anointed with fragrant oils served as protection in Egypt's dry and warm climate, as well as creating the sensation of "being like gods, being close to them." To avoid lice and other parasites, which were major problems in hot climates, everyone rubbed their skin with fragrant oils. Many products such as scented flowers, resins and roots were used for perfume preparation. Particularly cultivated scented flowers were infused in suitable oils to create perfumes. Egyptian Queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra are renowned for their use of fragrances as well as their beauty. Nefertiti bathed with jasmine flower juice, and her body was rubbed with oils of sandalwood, amber and rare flower extracts. Cleopatra devoted most of her time to preparing her beauty prescriptions. Her expertise in preparing and using perfumes, milk baths, fragrant oils and fragrant waters is well documented.

During the same period, civilizations in Mesopotamia began to gain importance through the production and trade of fragrances in the lands irrigated by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The methods and products used by the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians were also disseminated to other countries through trade, and the power of fragrances spread beyond borders. Greek and Roman civilizations also utilized fragrances brought from these regions. This colorful world of the East moved to the West with the Crusades and the spice trade. Those returning from the Crusades brought exotic scents for their women and rose water for themselves. With geographical discoveries and the opening of the route to India, another avenue for fragrances opened to the West. Islamic-period texts containing detailed writings on the distillation process were translated from Arabic to Latin and disseminated in the West for application in pharmacies. During the Ottoman period, these fragrances were used for both therapeutic and nutritional purposes. Essential oils were used as natural disinfectants to sterilize both wounds and surgical instruments until World War II. During World War II, French doctors used essential oils to treat infected wounds and gas gangrene. During this period, American nurses in Pearl Harbor used handkerchiefs saturated with essential oil to counter odors emanating from burnt bodies that caused nausea. Similarly, they recommended patients use scented handkerchiefs. These examples can be considered as aromatherapy applications in the modern period. Modern aromatherapy began with the work of three individuals in France: Gattefossé, a chemist and the father of aromatherapy; Valnet, a military doctor; and Maury, a nurse. Gattefossé burned his hand in a laboratory fire, and his wound became infected. This provided an opportunity to test the therapeutic effects of essential oils, so he immersed his infected hand in a container of medical lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) at his production facility.

Gattefossé first observed a decrease in pain and found that the infection and inflammation in the tissue healed rapidly when he repeated this process several times a day.

Eventually he witnessed complete healing of his wound without any scarring. Inspired by his experience, Gattefossé devoted his life to researching essential oils. Interest in natural therapies such as aromatherapy is increasing daily, and traditional knowledge is being combined with the measurement and evaluation techniques of modern science. Additionally, the number of evidence-based interventions and publications on the subject has increased significantly in recent years.

What is the role of aromatherapy, known for its healing properties in addition to personal care, in human life? How would you evaluate aromatherapy in terms of its application methods?

Contrary to common belief, aromatherapy is not simply about smelling something. Clinical aromatherapy applications comprise four different and complementary branches: patient care, aromapsychology, holistic aromatherapy and medical aromatherapy. Patient care aromatherapy consists of systematic and controlled complementary treatment methods performed in clinical settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Patient care aromatherapy can be combined with holistic aromatherapy. In applications targeting the respiratory system and skin, touch techniques and other complementary techniques can also be employed. Medical aromatherapy can be considered a specialized area of phytotherapy and covers applications such as capsules, drops and suppositories that produce systemic effects. Aromapsychology is concerned with how smell affects the brain and the mechanisms of endorphin and noradrenaline secretion. It only uses applications delivered through the respiratory tract or skin. Whether we are aware of it or not, odors have a very significant effect on our lives. On the other hand, although the number of products labeled "Aromatherapy" is increasing, not all of these products fall within the aromatherapy field. Most use synthetic essential oil components.

How can a person become an aromatherapist? What kind of training do aromatherapists receive during this process?

First, a good aromatherapist should receive comprehensive education from a competent educational institution with curricula compatible with leading international institutions in the field. He or she should continuously monitor developments and current practices in the field and act in accordance with professional ethics and safety principles in aromatherapy applications. Additionally, to apply aromatherapy for therapeutic purposes in Turkey, aromatherapists should also hold a degree as a healthcare professional such as medical doctor, pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist, clinical psychologist and so on. To work as a responsible manager in the production of aromatic cosmetic products, one must be either a pharmacist, chemist, biologist or chemical engineer. Whether the goal is to perform therapeutic aromatherapy applications or develop and launch personal aromatherapy cosmetics, all aromatherapists are obliged to comply with the limits set by laws and regulations for their respective professions.

Essential oils are an indispensable part of aromatherapy. Could you provide our readers with information on this topic?

Essential components are secreted and stored in specialized cells in organs such as leaves, flowers, roots, bark, resin, wood or rhizome of aromatic plants. They are typically found in plants at a ratio of 0.5-4%. They are complex substances with volatile properties. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to protect against and treat certain physical and psychological conditions as well as to maintain general health and well-being. For example, the antimicrobial tea tree "Melaleuca alternifolia" and lemon "Citrus limon" can be recommended as germicides. Rosemary "Rosmarinus officinalis" can be preferred for muscle aches and upper airway obstructions, whereas mint "Mentha x piperita L." with high menthol content can be preferred for acute headaches. Cicatricial-effective essential oils that aid cell regeneration include German chamomile "Matricaria chamomilla", immortelle flower "Helichrysum italicum" and geranium "Pelargonium graveolens". However, we must emphasize that using essential oils for therapeutic purposes requires expertise. Beyond the therapeutic realm, essential oils are also used in personal care, "feeling good" preparations, and in sectors such as cosmetics, fragrance, food, pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicine.

Would you discuss your recent activities as an association? How would you characterize the importance of these activities for learning and applying aromatherapy correctly and timely?

In 2019 we contributed to important organizations such as the 9th Cosmetic Chemistry, Production and Standardization Congress (22-24 February 2019), GETAT Traditional and Complementary Medicine Congress (24-27 April 2019), Isparta Rose Festival (11-15 June 2019), Baçem From Farm to Harvest Aromatherapy Festival (27-28 June 2019) and 3rd Phytovision Congress (22-24 November 2019). In workshops organized by Düzce University, we conducted studies on the standardization of production and quality of essential oils and fixed oils. Through these studies, we aimed to support aromatic plant producers seeking to invest in the field as well as to raise public awareness on these matters. We announce our activities periodically through our website and social media accounts.