BY NICOLE BOU KHALIL, 
April 28, 2023

Aren’t you a little bit curious about Aromatherapy? These Questions & Answers with Dr. Nicole Bou Khalil will make you want to dive into the world of Essential Oils.

Why should people be interested today in Aromatherapy?
Well, I think if I want to enumerate all the reasons why you should be interested in using aromatherapy, I could write an entire book! But to be brief, I would say that today there is a genuine need to go “back to the roots”, to go back to everything that is natural, pure and essential. People have realized the harms of being disconnected from nature and so there is this quest for authenticity, this need of getting in touch with our senses and with a pure way of healing. Aromatherapy is actually a very ancient healing modality, it has been here for thousand years…& modern times have only proven its efficacy!
On another hand, there has bee an awakening and an awareness- especially with the Covid pandemics- about the place of wellbeing in our life and the absolute necessity of preserving it. Aromatherapy is a holistic approach that takes care not only of our physical body, but also of our mind and soul. It is about self -care and well-being.
Finally, and most importantly, aromatherapy effects are scientifically proven. Today aromatherapy is one of the most used complementary approaches around the world. Not only is it used by lay people but also by healthcare professionals in clinical settings as an integrative approach to improve patients’ quality of lie.
All this is in favour of the use of aromatherapy for our health and well-being.

When we think of aromatherapy what are the first words that should come to our mind: medicine, therapy, wellbeing?
3 words: Mind, body and spirit.
And to put it in a sentence: A holistic approach to support our health, restore balance and generate wellbeing

If you have to continue this sentence: essential oils can help me Breathe better, Better Relax, Sleep better, …….
Be and live better!

How many essential oils approximately are there?
Woow… there are around 150 EO that have been studied, with a database that including benefits, uses, properties, safety etc…
But we know that there are many undiscovered or not yet studied

Do all plants produce essential oils? Do all fruits produce essential oils?
No, only aromatic plants can produce Essential oils. Thyme, lavender, rose, cedar, pine, lemongrass, vetiver, frankincense are aromatic plants.
Fruits from aromatic plants can produce essential oils but also flowers, leaves, barks, roots wood… different parts of a plant can produce an essential oil.

Do we have to seek advice from an aromatherapist while using essential oils?
Unless a person really knows how to use an Essential oils, and has gone through a sort of a reliable training, my advise is to always consult with a certified aromatherapist. You know Essential Oils are very concentrated molecules so they are very powerful! If used in the wrong concentration, the wrong route of administration etc..they can be harmful and provoke undesirable effects.

The word Aromatherapy implies that Aroma or the scent plays an important role in essential oils therapy: is it true? And in what ways?
Aromas and scent are an integral part of the Aromatherapy, because Essential Oils are, by definition, volatile compounds so even if we apply them on the skin, we are going to benefit from the effects of their aromas on our brain. That is because of the scent that travels directly through our nose to reach our brain and nervous system. It’s a very complex process to explain briefly, but I would say that through the scent of an essential oil, our memory, our emotions, our mood and our behavior are all impacted!

What are the other multiple usages of essential oils in Aromatherapy?
You mean in? Food industry, cosmetology, well-being, healthcare, everyday s ailments,
Or: as anti inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti microbial, relaxing, anxiolytic etc…?

Is it scientifically proven that it is therapeutic?
It is scientifically proven. Many studies and articles are published almost daily on essential oils and aromatherapy. Many health professionals as well as hospitals in France, Germany, England, the US – to name just a few- are using aromatherapy in their clinics, services and departments as part of a holistic approach, to support the quality of life of the patients.

Is Aromatherapy a kind of Herbal therapy? Is it part of the Chinese alternative medicinal therapies?
Aromatherapy is a special part of phytotherapy.
Essential Oil come from aromatic plants so they are part of the plant kingdom, but it’s a specialized domain.
No, it’s not part of the Chinese medical therapy, but it can be combined with it and with many other modalities and that is what makes Aromatherapist so rich and so interesting!

Today essential oils are being used in cosmetology more than before? Why is this sudden surge?
The sudden surge is due to 2 main factors:
– The desire of the public to use natural ingredients on their skin
-The properties of essential oils on the skin: properties such as being anti-inflammatory, anti wrinkle, antioxidant, cell regeneration, scar healing, circulatory effects, etc.

Being in Lebanon: What are the important plants that can be used for Aromatherapy in our country?
Mainly all the aromatic Mediterranean herbs : Rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage are abundant in Lebanon!
But also the citruses: lemon, orange, mandarin and the flowers such as the roses.

What kind of advice would you give Lebanese people who are starting to extract essential oils?
To be mindful of sustainability, to distill according to knowledge, and not just intuition, and to work with honesty and integrity to produce an essential oil that is 100% pure, natural and complete

What kind of advice would you give Lebanese people who are starting to use essentials oils for their everyday ailments, their skincare, candles, and soaps making?
1/ Only buy the best quality of essential oils: your safety is paramount…and you want to see real results!
2/ Only use an essential oil you know. Do not use a new oil without prior researches on how many drops to apply, the correct dilution, if it can be applied safely on the skin etc…In case of doubts always refer to a certified Aromatherapist
3/ Follow us on Scentle: you will find loads of advises on how to use essential oils safely and effectively and we will be providing fun tips on the way!

What are your favorite essential oils?
Well I have many, it is so hard to choose just a few.
But I would say for now Petit grain bigaradier, Marjoram and Myrtle.

Dr. Nicole Bou Khalil

Nicole Boukhalil is a Doctor of Pharmacy specialised in medicinal plants, phytotherapy and medical aromatherapy. She is a certified clinical aromatherapist level 3, the highest level of certification in the United States. Dr. Boukhalil also holds a master’s degree in Public Health and is certified in natural dermo-cosmetology.
With over 10 years of experience to her credit in aromatherapy, she is a trainer, a teacher, a formulator and an international speaker.
Dr. Boukhalil is an IFPA Trustee board member, the NAHA international director to Lebanon and the Airmid Institute ambassador to Lebanon.