History of Aromatherapy

July 13, 2009 | By admin In aromatherapy essential oils |

The history of aromatherapy is dates so far back, theoretically over 6,000 years ago. Many believe aromatherapy essential oils began in Egypt. Egyptians used the method of infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants and used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as embalming of the dead bodies.

It is believed that Greeks borrowed many healing and relaxation techniques from the Egyptians. They learn from egyptians to used herbs and herbal oils for medicines and cosmetics purpose. The ancient Greeks were fond of aromatic baths and they discovered the spiritual power of flowers and their ability to help sleep, relax, refresh and revitalise.

Greeks eventually took their knowledge to Arabia, where they added their own knowledge and innovations, which increased the popularity of perfumes from the east. Nuns and monks of the 12th century used the healing oil of plants in their concentrated studies.

There is evidence in an old Chinese medical book about the use herbs for the treatment of various ailments. The uses of herbal medicine by the Chinese were of almost the same period as the Egyptians.

Although many country were known to the treatment with mother nature’s gifts. They had other names for it, no doubt, or just a phrase for using the herbs they used naturally on a daily basis. The term “Aromatherapy” was not used until the 1920s, when a French chemist Gatefosse accidentally discovered the healing power of Lavender. Having burnt his hand he plunged it into a nearby container, thinking it was water. It wasn’t, it was Lavender and the burn healed quickly and without scarring. Because of the incident, he revived the art, giving it the name “Aromatherapy”. Since then many have promoted the use of Aromatherapy, and more learn and tried experiment using essential oils and that was how the usage increase greatly.

It was once the treatment using aromatherapy almost gone when the development of modern science during 19th century. However, the mother nature’s healing power is so great that after all these years, there are millions of people still enjoy the use of herbs and aromatherapy in their lives for spiritual, cosmetic, perfume product and even healing from disease.

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