These oils contain the aroma and healing properties of the plant and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as aromatherapy, skin care, massage and cleansing, among others. The use of modern essential oils began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse accidentally discovered the therapeutic effects of lavender essential oil on burns during an experiment, a discovery that led to the development of modern aromatherapy.