Aromatherapy is therapeutic treatment with aromatic essential oils. It is a form of complementary medicine. It draws on the healing properties of the plant world. For centuries, it was just a handmaid of Ayurveda. But now it has asserted its superior curative and enlivening potential. An invigorating aroma permeating offices in the post-lunch session will restore the efficiency and skills of the officers and staff, which otherwise would be at a very low ebb at that point of time.

A relaxing and refreshing perfume towards the end of the working day will make them leave for home in amore amiable frame of mind. A pleasant night at home is the guarantee for a lively morrow. And lively people make a big difference in the bottomlines of companies.

At home, essential oils in baths and massages are appropriate treatment for most conditions. Vapourising essential oils can enhance moods, deodorise the air, disinfect sickrooms and create a pleasant atmosphere. They can be used for skincare-to feel and look good. Unique, exquisite perfumes can be blended to suit individual moods and needs. Mumbai-based Fragrance Modulators (FM), floated by Ravi Ratan who has a doctorate in the subject, wants to take aromatherapy to business executives. FM has 50 outlets in the city, most of them beauty parlours. ``Now I want to reach out to other cities. Encouraging trade inquiries from all parts of the country, especially the south, have inspired me to contemplate this,'' says Ratan. As the first step toward this goal, FM has appointed Skyline Enterprises in Chennai as their principal stockists to market theirproduct range priced at between Rs 39 and Rs 2,800. The range comprises 46 varieties of essential oils and 12 varieties of carrier oils. Essential oils are available in 10 ml and 25 ml packs. Carrier oil packages are available in 25, 50 and 100 ml packs.

Ratan said his marketing strategy involves training prospective aroma therapists and identifying distribution channels in beauty parlours, select medical and departmental stores and medical practitioners who believe in holistic medicine. There are a number of physicians who acknowledge the curative values of herbal products and plant essences even in cases where allopathic medicines fail. FM is in a vigorous marketing mood. The company wants to cover all the southern capitals, Delhi and Calcutta by September 1999. In the south alone, FM sees an immediate turnover of Rs 1 crore, which is expected to double in a year. Though not yet approved as an independent system of medicine, FM's aromatherapy products have the approval of the Food and Drugs Authority ofIndia (FDA).

Another lucrative area that aromatherapy can open up is the cultivation of plants and flowers. Oils like tea tree oil and lavender oil are currently imported. Most others are grown in India and FM sources them from all over the country. Ratan says with an institutional set-up, cultivation of aromatic plants and herbs can be developed into a profitable occupation and a good source of income for farmers.