About Us
Aromatic Apothecary believes in the power of plant ingredients and safe aromatherapy oils to achieve ultimate health and wellness. We use the highest quality natural ingredients to create products that work in harmony with our bodies to relieve common ailments. The Aromatic Apothecary range offers a wide selection of specially designed and formulated therapeutic aromatherapy products. Our unique blends are carefully prepared using proven recipes that treat the causes of today’s discomforts like stress, fatigue, muscle aches, sleep issues, and sinus problems. Over the past 29 years, Aromatic Apothecary has become a leading brand in health and wellness, with customers central to every product developed. We are a prominent ready-to-use aromatherapy product supplier to consumers and retailers locally, nationally, and internationally.
About Doryce Sher - Founder & Director
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them." – Dalai Lama
Doryce Sher, born and educated in Zimbabwe, studied pharmacy in Johannesburg and worked as a pharmacist for ten years. She felt an inner conflict dispensing drugs, believing many medicines were overprescribed, overused, and abused, leading her to discover essential oils and aromatherapy. In 1991, she resolved never to dispense another drug, deciding aromatherapy was a way to help people without harming them. She studied aromatherapy, understanding how plant-based ingredients alleviate everyday ills, noting that medicines were initially plant-derived. Her pharmaceutical background gave her confidence to experiment and formulate plant-based products in response to people’s needs. She has created products used and sought after by thousands for over 29 years, and is a registered Reflexologist, Aromatherapist, and Pharmacist, serving on various committees and boards. Today, Aromatic Apothecary has built a brand prioritizing people’s overall wellbeing in all its products.
About Janine Fleischmann - Director
"I believe we can have it all."
Janine Fleischmann grew up in Cape Town, studied Business Science at UCT, and worked in New York during the internet boom. Returning to South Africa, she worked for a large corporate retailer, focusing on customer relationship management, and helped establish a successful skincare brand as the number one emollient in South Africa. She is passionate about building relationships in her work and career, believing "we can have it all," but considers being a mother her most significant achievement. She takes pride in caring for her family's wellbeing and guiding her children to be socially responsible, morally guided, and community-aware individuals. Relationships, whether in family, with friends, or in business, are built on trust. As a mother, she constantly seeks products and brands true to their heritage and aligned with her family's values. Aromatherapy products, especially those from Aromatic Apothecary, are formulated to help us feel better.
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils from aromatic plants to improve and maintain health and well-being. An essential oil is an oily substance extracted from an aromatic plant, containing the plant's essence and therapeutic properties. A carrier oil is a non-aromatic vegetable oil that acts as a base for essential oils.
The History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been used throughout history, dating back to ancient Chinese, Tibetans, and Egyptians. The Bible mentions the use of aromatic oils, and ancient texts like the Materia Medica documented their medicinal use. During the Middle Ages, pomanders and lavender bags were used for health, and apothecaries sold chemical oils. The 18th century saw a shift to chemicals, but in 1928, Gattefosse coined the term "Aromatherapy." Madame Maury wrote about the cosmetic properties of aromatic oils, and in the 1920s, Penfold investigated tea tree oil in Australia. Dr. Jean Valnet published "The Practice of Aromatherapy" in the 1950s, and Robert Tisserand helped popularize it in the Western world in the 1970s. The Association of Aromatherapists of Southern Africa (AOASA) was inaugurated in 1991. In the 21st century, people are increasingly turning to aromatherapy to reduce stress and improve health.
Modern Use
Common methods of using aromatherapy include baths, massage, and vaporizers.
Applications
Absorption occurs through the skin, lungs, and feet. Inhalation works via olfaction, affecting the limbic system to modulate feelings and memory. Euphorics stimulate the thalamus to produce enkephalins, acting as painkillers. Aphrodisiac oils stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete endorphins, creating euphoria. Sedative oils stimulate the raphe nucleus to produce serotonin, causing sedation. Stimulating oils affect the locus ceruleus to release noradrenalin, a stimulant.
Stockists
Aromatic Apothecary products are stocked at retail outlets country-wide. These include health shops, Wellness Warehouse outlets (and online), independent pharmacies, Faithful to Nature (selected items), Takealot (selected items), and other speciality retailers. More outlets will be stocking our products soon. Please note that not all products are stocked at all outlets. For further information, please email info@aromatic.co.za or WhatsApp +27632128049.