The Historical Roots of Aromatherapy

Although aromatherapy has enjoyed a surge in interest during the past decade, this practice has actually been around for thousands of years. As long ago as 18,000 BC, flowers, plants and their essences were used for healing, energizing and relaxation. Approximately 6,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and peoples throughout the Middle East enjoyed the benefits of aromatherapy in their everyday lifestyles.

Aromatherapy began with the Egyptians. They utilized the method of infusion to extract oils from aromatic plants. They used these oils for medicinal, cosmetic, culinary and ceremonial purposes--and even for embalming the dead! Imhotep, the Egyptian god of medicine and healing, historically prescribed essential oils for bathing and massage. Egyptians also used essential oils of specific plants for religious rites, as certain scents could elicit a state of tranquility or higher consciousness. Frankincense was burned at dawn as an offering to the sun. And myrrh was offered to the moon. Egyptians also knew that certain aromatic plants aided the digestion process and offered protection against contracting infection; thus, they incorporated aromatherapy into their cooking. And Egyptians enjoyed oil massages after bathing.

It's likely that the ancient Chinese were practicing aromatherapy at approximately the same time as the Egyptians. The oldest surviving medical book in China dates to approximately 2700 BC; it was written by Shen Nung and contains detailed information regarding more than 300 plants. The Chinese also burned aromatic herbs and wood in religious ceremonies.

The oldest known human work concerning health comes from India. It is a portion of the Hindu Vedic scripture called Ayurveda; Ayurveda has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. One of its primary principles is daily massage with an aromatic essential oil.

The Greeks also used aromatic essential oils for medicine and cosmetics. Hyprocrites, who is considered the father of Western medicine, firmly believed that a daily aromatherapy bath followed by an aromatherapy massage was essential to good health. As a matter of fact, he utilized aromatherapy to rid Athens of the plague! Theophratus, who was also a physician, wrote about the healing properties of aromatic plants. Another Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscorides, wrote a book about herbal medicine that was the Western world's standard medical reference for at least 1,200 years! And many of the remedies he discussed are still used in today's aromatherapy practice.

The Romans took after the Greeks, and they incorporated aromatherapy baths following by aromatherapy massage into their daily lives. Essential oils became so popular in Rome that they established trade routes to import essential oils and aromatic herbs from Arabia and India.

During the crusades, crusaders quickly learned about highly valued essential oils during their travels and took them back to Europe. Around 1000 AD, a physician named Avicenna used the process of distillation to extract essence of rose. Distillation was invented in 800 AD by the Arab alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan. These discoveries made it possible to produce natural perfumes without a heavy oil base.

At the beginning of the Renaissance, discovering new aromas was important to explorers; essential oils and aromatic herbs were highly sought after. In Europe, wigs were scented with essential oils, and people carried nosegays to mask the stench of unsanitary streets. In France, medical personnel fumigated hospitals by burning lavender and rosemary.

When the Spanish conquistadors invaded South America, they discovered even more essential oils and aromatic plants that the Aztecs used for medicinal remedies. Indigenous peoples of North America also used essential oils and herbal remedies as an integral component of their everyday way of life.

But it wasn't until the 19th century that British and European scientists began researching the effects of essential oils on bacteria in humans. And it wasn't until 1937 that French chemist Rene Maurice Gatte fosse coined the term "aromatherapy." His hand was burned, and he used lavender oil to heal it; he was amazed at how quickly it healed and that no scars remained. This spawned him to investigate the healing properties of other essential oils; he published a book detailing the anti-microbial properties of essential oils. He also launched a business producing essential oils for fragrance and cosmetics. This was the dawning of contemporary aromatherapy.

Around this time, Albert Couvreur of France published a book detailing the medicinal uses of essential oils. During World War II, French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet utilized essential oils as antiseptics. Then biochemist Madame Marguerite Maury prescribed essential oils for her patients. She also launched the modern day practice of using essential oils for massage; she elevated essential oils to the level of holistic therapy. Micheline Arcier studied with Maury, and the aromatherapy techniques they developed are widely used throughout the world today.