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2/25/03
Aromatherapy in Business
Disputes continue over whether aromatherapy works in promoting health and healing. There is no dispute, however, that sales of aromatherapy products are growing.
The Akron Beaon Journal reports "sales of aromatherapy products in the United States have increased 40 percent since 1994. That's not even counting the new, more-commercial products, such as dishwashing liquid, shampoos and conditioners, that have flooded the market in the past year or two."
Even supporters are concerned that the emergence of questionable, consumer products with synthetic oils could detract from what they say are the real benefits of the natural therapy.
``Many of those products are capitalizing on something that, when used in its intended form, can be very helpful,'' said Dr. Vetter, an anesthesiologist and director of the Pain Center at Children's Hospital Medical Center, which uses aromatherapy for patients.
``While they may have a hint of essential oils,'' he said, ``a lot of times, they're not using the real McCoy because a lot of the real essential oils are very expensive. They are capitalizing off the growing popularity.'
Aroma Patch is the Real McCoy
Comments
Comments
I think we are on the front end of a big trend. This is not a fad. This is old tried and true stuff. And, yes there are some snake oil salespeople out there. There are also real helping ingredients and stress reducers, etc. that can help you through your daily tasks. Who doesn't walk into a store and smell the bakery and feel better. And it goes on from there. I think the P&G recent introduction is a good example of recognizing the opportunity. In fact, the whole cleaning experience could benefit from aroma therapy products. There a a number of ways of delivering the ingredients, including scratch and sniff, direct addition and even encapsulation. So get in front of the trend. Think about how your company can benefit from this important trend. [Michael Richmond - BrainTrust]
I believe the trend is bigger than aromatherapy. Whether it actually works or not is immaterial to the retail experience. People believe in it and like it, and frankly, that's good enough to get behind it. It seems apparent that the more knowledgeable a retailer is about this, the more appropriate the product mix will be.
Asian philosophies and approaches are gaining acceptance and appreciation in numerous ways - acupuncture, acupressure, feng shui, yoga, herbal remedies, and so on. Retailers looking to be at the leading edge of consumer demand will pay attention to all of these trends and review the ways in which they can service their customers and expand high-margin items that contribute to a point of differentiation for themselves.
As far as aromatherapy for the general populace goes, appreciation for things that smell nice is nothing new. Go with it.
[Karen Kingsley - RW Commentators]
Calgon was way head of it's time when it lured the purchase with a promise to be taken away!
You can certainly dispute the pure relevance of aromatherapy, natural remedies, massage therapy, reflex ology, coffee enemas, candling and on and on we could go. One can not dispute the demand and desire the consumer has for real and harmonious solutions to stress filled days, over medicated bodies and just plain lethargy. We exist in a society that has run the race according to the rules and come up far short of expected results. Capitalism and progress, for all it's good, has left a large number of have's without. No real meaning and spirituality, nothing to ardently feel good about, and lives empty and devoid of real love and a sense of purpose. Aromatherapy and Zen gardening are merely consumers striving to bring balance and harmony to the clutter, noise and chaos of our blurred, daily lives.
Confucius say : Man who races to the top, often get's there, but only to find himself alone and far away from a warm base camp! [Gene]
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