15/11/2019
The difference between functional fragrance and aromatherapy
The difference between functional fragrance and aromatherapy
Basically aromatherapy is always a kind of functional fragrance. However, while aromatherapy as a whole always falls under the more comprehensive term functional fragrance, not every functional fragrance is aromatherapy.
The classic definition of aromatherapy is: The use of essential oils for a therapeutic purpose.
A functional fragrance, on the other hand, is simply a fragrance that has a “planned” effect. For example, it is a characteristic fragrance used by a hotel chain to evoke positive emotions in its guests so that they keep coming back.
So, while these fragrances are intended to evoke an emotional response, they are not all intended to relieve the symptoms of medical conditions, nor are they necessarily essential oils.
So while aromatherapy may be considered as a kind of functional fragrance, the similarities end there. Aromatherapy can be seen as a herbal medicine. Clinical aromatherapy also includes stringent quality controls and efficacy tests so that it can be used by healthcare professionals. Functional fragrances on the other hand can be synthesised from almost any compound and do not need to be tested for quality, safety or efficacy.
So you can say: functional fragrances are created with a goal in mind. And in this goal, the health and well-being of the visitor or customer is not always the first priority (unless they are made specifically for aromatherapy). But this definitely does not mean that functional fragrances are bad or should be avoided. The basic idea behind the production is only a completely different one than the one behind aromatherapy.