Aromatherapy: A Preventive and Healing Approach to Improve Wellness and the Happy City Index 2027
Aromatherapy has become an essential part of a healthy lifestyle in modern society. Besides enhancing relaxation and mental health, aromatherapy has also been proven to have therapeutic benefits for physical recovery and increased productivity.
In the development of Wellness Tourism in DKI Jakarta, aromatherapy has even become a strategy to support the achievement of the Happy City Index 2027.
What is Aromatherapy and What is Its History?
Aromatherapy is a therapeutic method using plant extracts and essential oils to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The use of aromatherapy has been known since ancient times, including the era of Cleopatra, Indian Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine—and has even become part of Indonesian culture through JAMU.
In Indonesia, traces of aromatherapy have been recorded since the 8th century, seen in the Karmawibhangga reliefs at Borobudur Temple. In 1902, Java became a center of the citronella oil industry with the establishment of two large distilleries: Odorata (Sukabumi) and Cikancana (Cianjur). Borobudur was even treated with natural essential oils such as clove, patchouli, and citronella.
Benefits of Aromatherapy for Preventive and Healing Health
1. Emotional Balance
Aromatherapy helps reduce anxiety and stress, thus maintaining emotional stability.
2. Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Aromatherapy techniques effectively reduce stress and improve the quality of body relaxation.
3. Physical Recovery and Energy
Some essential oils support physical healing, relieve pain, and increase stamina.
4. Productivity and Motivation
Aromatherapy is scientifically proven to increase focus, reduce fatigue, and aid work effectiveness.
Aromatherapy in Betawi Culture: A Traditional Heritage with Local Wisdom
Aromatherapy has been integrated into traditional Betawi wellness practices, particularly in Tangas Betawi (herbal steam rituals) and Pijat Pulen Legit (Pulen Legit Massage), using natural ingredients such as jasmine, rose, champaca, pandan, lemongrass, lime, nutmeg, and ginger.
During the Wellness Tourism Focus Group Discussion at PENN Jakarta on November 20, Feri Agustian Soleh, DAI Advisory Board member, Co-founder and IAA Advisory Board member, explained:
Jasmine – reduces anxiety, improves mood, and aids sleep
Lemongrass – anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, and relaxation
Ginger – relieves pain and boosts immunity
This heritage is preserved through community workshops and Betawi cultural preservation programs.
Aromatherapy for Public Health and the Happy City Program
Aromatherapy is applied in various quality-of-life improvement programs, including:
1. Disaster Relief or Disaster Trauma Recovery
Helps treat respiratory disorders, post-traumatic stress, insomnia, and anxiety.
2. Sleeping Disorders
More than 30% of adults experience insomnia, and aromatherapy offers a natural solution through lavender, bergamot, sandalwood, and rose oils.
3. Palliative Care
Supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort of patients with serious illnesses.
4. Improve Student Concentration
Research shows an average increase in student concentration of 2.41 points through inhalation of Cananga latifolia (ylang-ylang) oil.
Jakarta Vision 2027: Becoming the Wellness Hub of Southeast Asia
Jakarta targets improving its Happy City Index by 2027 through:
Public access and aromatherapy education programs
Collaboration with international wellness experts
Cultural preservation and development of the aromatherapy creative economy
Aromatherapy is not just a lifestyle trend, but a scientific and traditional approach that:
Provides preventative health benefits and healing therapy
Supports the preservation of Betawi culture
Contributes to Jakarta becoming a wellness and happy city by 2027.
If you want to try quality aromatherapy, you can purchase it directly from Essentia Apothecary, available at all Gaya Spa Wellness branches.