Rene Gattefosse

While working in his lab, Rene Gattefosse, received 3rd degree thermal burns on his hand and forearm. When a colleague entered the room carrying a container that he thought was water, he plunged his arm into it. The substance turned out to be lavender.

Within moments, the burning decreased and overtime, with continual applications, the burn healed completely without a trace of scar.

It was then that Rene Maurice Gattefosse analyzed lavender essential oil and discovered that it contained many substances, referred to as chemical constituents - or chemical properties.

Dr. Gattefosse determined that essential oils contained healing properties in its semi-oily resin - thus the ancient art of aromatherapy began its re-entry into the modern world.

Gattefosse coined the phrase "aromatherapie" in 1920. He shared his experiences with his friend and colleague Dr. Valnet.