Annies Aromatherapy Aromatherapy literally means "the use of smell to effect a cure", and was first coined by French chemist Dr. Rene M. Gattefosse in 1928. Aromatherapy makes use of the essential oils produced by herbs, trees, grasses to heal, energize and stimulate our bodies own self-healing powers. It is unfortunate that aromatherapy has been co-opted and trivialized to sell scented consumer products, often with inferior, chemical scents that have their origins in a lab, not in nature. Therapeutic use of essential oils for health and well being is a serious option for both healing, with the oils used in healing touch and massage therapies. Essential oils can also be used to clean and disinfect the air we breathe, while lifting and calming our spirits.