In this article we look at the History of Aromatherapy and Essential Oils. Discover how the founder of this healing methodology “stumbled upon” it and how those that followed developed the modality to become the holistic medical practice we now know as aromatherapy.
- History Of Aromatherapy And Essential Oils.
- Early Egyptians And Aromatherapy Oils. History of Aromatherapy.
- The History of Aromatherapy And The Ancient Greeks.
- Other Notable References To The History Of Aromatherapy.
- Arabic Trade Routes And Essential Oils.
- The History of Aromatherapy And The Chinese.
- The History of Aromatherapy – India.
- The History of Aromatherapy – South America.
- The History of Aromatherapy – North America.
- The Beginnings Of Modern Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.
Today aromatherapy uses 100% pure and natural therapeutic essential oils. These distillations contain pheromones, antibiotics and cell regeneration agents that energise, protect and nourish.
By using 100% pure and natural oils we gain maximum benefit from their medicinal properties, particularly the impact they have on our emotions and energetic balance.
History Of Aromatherapy And Essential Oils.
The Word Aromatherapy is a derivative of two other words:
- Aroma – meaning “to have or emit a fragrance or smell”
- Therapy – meaning “to give or take part in a type of treatment for illness or imbalance”
The first recorded historical evidence of Aromatherapy is credited to an Egyptian medical papyrus which dates back to around 1555 BC.
The image depicts Ptahhotep who is having his legs massaged by a servant.
However it is likely that the use of medicinal oils was practiced long before any form of imagery or written records appeared.
Of interest, even in the earliest of recorded history the essential oil usage contained reference to specific remedies for illnesses along with the methods of treatment.
Some of these treatments and applications are almost identical to forms of aromatherapy still practiced today.
Early Egyptians And Aromatherapy Oils. History of Aromatherapy.
From these early recordings found on papyrus we know the ancient Egyptians used an infusion method to extract oils from various aromatic plants.
These infusions were commonly used to create incense.
2 highly popular infused incenses were Frankincense and Myrrh.
The incense was burned at sunrise and sunset. Frankincense at Sunrise as an offering to Ra the Sun God and Myrrh at Sunset for the Moon God Khonsu.
The Egyptians also used aromatics in their practice of mummification and embalming.
However these fragrances were not only used on the dead. The practice of “perfumery” developed where fragrant oils were massaged into the skin following bathing. This practice was believed to ensure health, vitality and well-being.
Following the Egyptians we next see reference to Aromatherapy in ancient Greece.
The History of Aromatherapy And The Ancient Greeks.
This is where we see aromatherapy oils being used both for medicinal and for cosmetic purposes.
Greek herbal physician Pedanius Dioscorides was one of the first to document Aromatherapy practices as a form of medical treatment.
He compiled the herbal medical guide “De Materia Medica”.
This book became the accepted medical reference text in the Western world for over 1200 years.
Similarly to the ancient Egyptian papyrus, the remedies and practices described by Dioscorides are still in use today.
Other Notable References To The History Of Aromatherapy.
One of the most famous and well known historical references to the practice of Aromatherapy comes from The Bible
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.”
John 12:3 King James Version
The Romans, basing their medical knowledge from the Greeks, began the medicinal use of aromatics.
Ancient Rome was the bathing capital of the world and widely used aromatherapy and essential oils for massage after bathing.
Following the establishment of trade routes through Arabia and East India the Romans discovered the wide use of aromatics in the East, and began importing them.
Arabic Trade Routes And Essential Oils.
Avicenna, an Arabic Physician (A.D 980 to AD 1037) is the person accredited to have discovered the process of distillation to harvest the aromatic oils.
This discovery gave us “the essence of Rose”, and was distilled through a process now known as a refrigerated coil.
Of note it was at this time the process for the distillation of alcohol was discovered.
This made it possible to produce aromatic perfumes without a thick and oily base.
The History of Aromatherapy And The Chinese.
Shen Nung, the author of what is believed to be the oldest surviving medical reference text in China (dated around 2700 BC) contains health related information of the use of over 300 plants.
It clearly references the practice of a medicinal aromatherapy alongside accepted religious practices of using aromatic herbs, burning of aromatic woods and lighting incense in reverence to God.
Other historical references to the use of aromatherapy and essential oils in civilizations and as a recognized medical practice are seen in India, South America and North America.
The History of Aromatherapy – India.
The traditional medical practice of Ayurveda, from India, is over 3000 years old and incorporates aromatic massage as a key aspect.
The History of Aromatherapy – South America.
The Aztecs were well known for their use of herbal remedies and aromatic medicines.
Montezuma’s botanical gardens were filled with medicinal plants and were discovered when the Conquistadores invaded the Aztec nation.
The History of Aromatherapy – North America.
Herbal Oils and Aromatic Remedies were widely used by North American Indian cultures.
It was not until the 19th century that physicians and scientists across Europe began to properly research Aromatherapy and in particular the impact of essential oils on bacteria.
The Beginnings Of Modern Aromatherapy and Essential Oils.
René Maurice Gattefossé, a French physician is credited as being the “Father” of Modern Aromatherapy.
After burning his hand in his laboratory he applied lavender oil and was amazed at how quickly the injury healed.
This led him to begin scientific research on the healing properties of essential oils and aromatics.
His book “Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales“, published in 1937, contains his research on the anti-microbial effects of the oils.
This is where the terms Aromatherapy originates.
Following the publication of his book he continued his research and went on to establish a business producing oils for use in fragrances and cosmetics.
Gattefosse was not alone in the researching of aromatherapy oil usage.
Other French researchers also published material and medical references in the usage of Aromatherapy oils.
Albert Couvreur, published a medical reference on the usage of essential oils for healing around the same time as Gattefosse.
French doctor Jean Valnet began further research about essential oils and healing after reading Gattefosse’s work.
Valnet used essential oils as a major part of treating wounded soldiers and civilians during the war and was amazed by their enormous positive impact on healing and recovery.
He published “The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties“ in 1964.
Around this time Marguerite Maury, another French citizen and highly regarded biochemist developed the method of applying these oils to the skin with massage.
However it was Micheline Arcier, after studying and working directly with Maury and Valnet who combined their remedial practices and guidelines to create the form of Aromatherapy now used worldwide.
The History of Aromatherapy Essential Oils.
Aromatherapy Oils are a combination of the volatile essential plant oils that are usually mixed with a carrier oil (such as coconut or ground-nut) and are used in the treatment or prevention of disease.
The oils when used in aromatherapy is designed to treat the whole person, as holistic therapy, not just the treatment of disease manifestation.
It is claimed that the use of essential oils assists the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself.
Aromatherapy oils consist of tiny aromatic molecules from plant and herb essential oils that are readily absorbed via the skin and whilst breathing they enter the lungs.
Once the aromatherapy oil therapeutics enter the body they are absorbed into the bloodstream and travel quickly throughout the body to deliver healing.
Essential oils are added to carrier oil due to their extreme concentration.
Only a very small quantity of pure essential oils are required to bring about the desired health related results.
Other related posts about what are Aromatherapy Oils can be found below:
I hope you have enjoyed this article and now know the answers about the history of aromatherapy and essential oils. Please do leave a comment or ask a question and I will get back to you ASAP. I can also be contacted by clicking here.
Healthy Natured is my favorite New Age site
It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you
Hello , Thank you for a great article. This is an excellent website. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , I
will return once again.
Many Thanks Nola. Glad you enjoyed
I loved reading your post. I myself have long been a fan of aromatherapy and have been collecting essential oils for around 5 years now. I turn to aromatherapy for almost every illness and it always works. I’m just curious what your favorite carrier and essential oils are? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Julie,
Glad you enjoyed the article. In honesty carrier oils are a matter of personal taste…all I would say is the carrier is just that…something to mix your essential oils with…so dont blow your budget on a carrier…many are way over priced. I use olive oil…its cheap but great quality and just as good as any others…if you wish for a carrier with less original fragrance then go for jojoba. My favourite essential oils are lavender (which is a multi purpose brilliant oil), calendular and rosehip. Can’t go wrong with them….and they make a great blend….10 drops L, 4 drops C, and 7 drops C.
Hi Jason, The history of aromatic therapy is very interesting. Relating it to the anointing of Jesus feet and how the sweet odor filled the room is a nice touch.
I know that certain aromas can relax and reduce your anxiety. This is very interesting and something I will have investigate further.
Hi Marty
Thank you for your comments. Please let me know how you find aromatherpay should you choose to explore further.
Jason
Hi Jason,
What a nice and informative article, I really enjoyed reading it! The history of the aromatherapy oils is just amazing. It’s always good to know from where comes the things we use or buy. I have a family member that use oils for her patients, she practices acupuncture, so I’m sure this article will interest her!
Thank you for this awesome blog!
Hi Daniella,
I’m very pleased you enjoyed the post. And thank you for sharing the information on to those who also share an interest. Aromatherapy is an ancient art and the history is fascinating. The use of essential oils for healing has changed little over thousands of years…why? because it is so effective and produces huge health benefits.
Love and Light
Jason
Thank you so much for a great article. I’ve always wondered about whether there were genuine practical benefits to aromatherapy oils..and now I know :)
I was literally just talking with someone the other day about what carrier oil might be used to produce them, and you’ve covered that too! Great info, and I will take them quite a bit more seriously now I know how great they are.
Beautiful site :)
Thank you Yvette,
Im pleased you found benefit from the post. There most certainly are benefits for using aromatherapy oils. Please do have a go and use them and you will see first hand how much they can improve health and wellbeing.
Love and Light
Jason
Great information on aromatherapy. The history that you provided is well worth the read. I thought I knew a lot about aromatherapy but apparently not. I did not know it has been used as long as it has.
I was aware that herbs and such were used in Egypt but did not consider it was a form of aromatherapy or that they used the herbs for other things as well. Your post has given me a renewed interest in aromatherapy.
I also appreciate the links that you provided to some products. I know that these oils can be very expensive. Have a source to purchase quality oils at lower prices is very helpful.
Thanks
Hi Ron
Thanks for your comments. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post.
The history of aromatherapy is incredibly interesting so I’m delighted you found it so also.
It is always advisable to buy good quality essential oils, but to beware of some claims that highly exaggerate the price! The oils here are great quaility and great prices.
My thanks
Jason
Great information on aromatherapy. The history that you provided is well worth the read. I thought I knew a lot about aromatherapy but apparently not. I did not know it has been used as long as it has.
I was aware that herbs and such were used in Egypt but did not consider it was a form of aromatherapy or that they used the herbs for other things as well. Your post has given me a renewed interest in aromatherapy.
I also appreciate the links that you provided to some products. I know that these oils can be very expensive. Have a source to purchase quality oils at lower prices is very helpful.
Thanks
Hi Ron
Thanks for your comments. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post.
The history of aromatherapy is incredibly interesting so I’m delighted you found it so also.
It is always advisable to buy good quality essential oils, but to beware of some claims that highly exaggerate the price! The oils here are great quaility and great prices.
My thanks
Jason
Hi Jason,
First class article – well researched and informative. This is the kind of information that people are looking for and I wouldn’t be surprised if this post went viral.
My wife and I have been using essential oils for a long time. She uses organic coconut oil exclusively as a moisturized and to keep her face looking like a teenager’s.
Lemon Myrtle and Lavender are among my favorite fragrances.
Many thanks my friend
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Organic coconut oil is fabulous and it’s the oil I use as a carrier when I do aromatherapy. Lemon Myrtle and Lavender are brilliant fragrances. There must be a lot of peace and calm in your home with those 2 combinations.
Wishing you best health
Jason
Very interesting post! I have always had an interest in aromatherapy, as my family likes to use homeopathic medicines. Thanks for a good read.
Youre welcome Jasmine. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jason
When I first heard about aromatherapy 5 years ago I thought it was just a fad. I didn’t think that different smells could really help with sleep, energy, calmness, etc. But, then I started to do some research on them and found out that a lot of studies have been done on aromatherapy. For instance, I found out that Lavender really helps with sleep (amongst other things). People actually sleep more soundly when when a diffusor is placed in their bedroom. They tested their brain and found out that their brain goes into a deeper sleep.
Really, I have been pretty hooked on essential oils for about 5 years now. I have 2 electronic diffusors and use them for everything. When I need energy and am in my office I put in clove and lemon. Peppermint helps me when I have a headache. When I want to wind down I put in Lavender and Vetiver.
Have you ever heard of doing steam facials with essential oils? What are the best ways to go about steam facials?
Hi Garen
Absolutely correct. There has been a great deal of research and some countries have even approved the use of essential oils as a recommended medical treatment. The oils you mention are wonderful (try adding a little frankincense to your lavender before you go to bed and you’ll just have the most brilliant sleep).
Now I should probably be offering you a product to buy in regard the steam facial…but in reality..the free way is still the best way (truly)
Get a pot of water to a rolling boil. Take it off the heat. Add 5-10 drops of essential oil to the water. Cover with a lid immediately. Leave to cool for 5 minutes (you don’t want steam burns!!!)
Then place your head over the pot with a towel across the back of your head forming a tent and lift the lid…let the steam bathe your face…if it cools down reheat with the lid on (but remember never ever put your face over a just boiled pot…steam burns the same way as boiling liquid…so before you place your face test it with your wrist (place your wrist above the steam…if its comfortable on your wrist its fine for your face)
J
Interesting article
Your article reinforces my belief that God created for each disease; several types of plants to be used for the treatment of this disease; we just have to discover the benefits inherent in each type of plant.
I also think that extracting oils from the plants by cold-pressing method is the healthiest way, instead of the current chemical products that could be destroying our health in the long run.
We can use natural oils for almost everything, starting from hair care, skin care, cleaning and washing up to the treatment of incurable diseases.
Thank you :)
Thank you Daria
I agree that nature provides us with everything we need for a healthy life and well-being.
Aromatherapy has been practiced for centuries and almost in the same way…there’s got to be a reason for that….because it works.
Jason
Aromatherapy is a very interesting idea. Olfactory input can have a significant effect upon the mind and body. I like your appeal to historical examples. It really is amazing what history can teach us if we are willing to read about it. Much of the difficulty that we face in our lives have solutions from historical contexts. If we ignore these historical tutorials, we are doomed to reinvent the wheel and unnecessarily reproduce the past. I suppose I’ve been unconsciously aware of aromatherapy, however, it wasn’t until I read this article that I was able to describe in words what it is. The sense of smell involves all kinds of complex and important chemical reactions. Putting the results of these reactions to use in a meaningful and therapeutic way is not something I had previously thought about. Thanks for the enlightenment. I enjoyed very much reading this article. History is such a great educator. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Hi
I’m very pleased you enjoyed the post. History is our greatest teacher if we learn from it. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries and the reason it still exists is because of the recognised success of methodology and positive impact on patient health.
Best health to you
Jason
Hey Jason
I just read about the history of aromatherapy and I had no idea how extensive it is. My naive self thought is was something some hippies started. I truly feel educated. Keep on posting! My interest will bring me back! I also wanted to mention the layout of your site is clean and easy to look at.
Hi Megan
Thanks for your comments. I think many people view aromatherapy and other compleementary therapies as new age or “hippy”…most however are deep rooted in history and passed down through the ages because of the positive ipact on patuents and the benefits others have seen in them
Best wishes
Jason
Hello just wanted to say thanks for the great info. Also very interesting history I am always looking to buying healing oil because I have pretty bad eczema and was wondering if this may actually help me out with my eczema? Thanks again for the information will recommend to friends.
Thank you for your comments. Using essential oils will definitely help with eczema. I recommend applying chamomile or rose-hip (you can dilute in some carrier and hemp-seed oil is perfect)
best wishes
Jason