History of Aromatherapy Aromatherapy is an ancient science of healing with the plants and their parts.
History of aromatherapy dates back to 18,000 B.C., where the flowers and plants and their essences were used by the ancients for curing, relaxing and energizing. It was known to most of the ancient civilizations of China, India and Egypt and was used at least 6000 years back. History of aromatherapy records the Egyptians as the users of aromatherapy as is practiced today. They used the method of infusion to extract the oils from the fragrant plants and these oils were then used for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming the dead. They used the essences of the plants n their religious rites, since they believed that the certain scents originating from specific plants raised your awareness.
Frankincense was offered to the sun and the myrrh to the moon. They used certain scents in mummification process. They used certain plants in cooking since they stimulate the digestion, raises body’s immunity and prevents infection. They massaged their bodies with fragrant oils after bathing. Around the same time as the Egyptians, the Chinese too were reported to be using aromatherapy.
An author by the name of Shen Nung has written a Herbal book in around 2700 B.C. which has documented the usage of around 300 plants in those times. It has also been reported that the Chinese used aromatic herbs and the burned scented woods as an offering to God. Ayurvedic texts, written around 3000 years ago have documented the usage of aromatic massage.
Greeks were also known to have used the aromatic oils for medicine and cosmetics. History of aromatherapy mentions Hippocrates, popularly known as the Father of Modern medicine, to study the effects of essential oils on the body. He recommended daily use of aromatic oils in bath and scented massage to improve good health. Another physician called Theophratus mentioned the healing properties of the aromatic plants. History of aromatherapy has recorded that about 1200 years ago a Greek physician called Pedacius Dioscorides wrote a book on herbal that is used by the medical world for aromatherapy treatment.
Romans popularized the concept of scented baths followed by the massage with the fragrant oils. Since Romans had established trade routes with the east, they started importing oils from India and Arabia. Crusaders learnt the concept aromatherapy from India, Arabia and Far East and took it with them to Europe. Avicenna used the concept of distillation to distill the essence from rose and Arabs learnt the process of alcohol and this made it possible to produce perfumes with oily base. Renaissance saw the rise in demands for the oils and new scents.
The conquests of South America also saw discovery of exotic plants and new aromas from the gardens of Montezuma. North American Indians also had the knowledge of medicinal plants. History or aromatherapy mentions 19th century when the British and European scientists commencing their research on the antibacterial effects of essential oils. Rene Maurice Gattefosse a French chemist started researching into the curative powers of essential oils, when he treated his burns by using lavender oils. He wrote a book on the healing powers of essential oils and used the term “Aromatherapy” for the first time. A French medical doctor, Jean Valnet started using the essential oils for therapeutic use after studying the research conducted by Rene Maurice Gattefosse. Margaret Maury started using these oils for massage and along with Valnet and Micheline Arcier developed a form of aromatherapy, which is now used worldwide. |
