Humans have used aromatic plants since the dawn of time. There is evidence from
the Neolithic period that aromatic herbs were used in cooking and medicine.
Ancient healers were holistic, both doctors and priests, and used the same plants to
heal body and spirit. Aromatic resins, balms and oils were used for magical and
religious ceremonies. Incense, probably one of the first uses of aromatherapy, is still
burned in Egyptian temples and eastern mosques, Christian and Orthodox churches
and Native American sweat lodges.
Many of the oils used in early times are still used today. 4000 years ago ancient
Sumerians used cypress and myrrh for spiritual rituals. Vedic texts from India dating
from 2000 BC, list cinnamon, spikenard, ginger, myrrh and sandalwood for use in
therapeutic massage.
Hippocrates is said to have saved Athens from the plague by setting huge bonfires of
aromatic wood in the streets. He is also quoted as saying “the key to good health
rests on having a daily aromatic bath and scented massage.”
It is also a well-known fact that many of those who survived the plagues of the middle
ages were those who worked in the perfumeries.
Distillation of essential oils is credited to the Persians in the 10th century, though even
earlier evidence from ancient cultures does exist.
In the 16th century many books were written on the distillation process and
therapeutic uses of essential oils. This renaissance was centered in Europe where a
German physician wrote several books referencing at least 25 essential oils.
By the late 1800’s the role of bacteria in disease was well recognized. French
physicians recorded the 1st laboratory tests on the antibacterial properties of
essential oils. These tests were a result of the observations of the low incidence of
tuberculosis in flower growing areas of southern France.
In 1910, a French chemist, Rene Gattefosse found that lavender oil could heal burns.
He later applied the wound healing and antiseptic properties of essential oils in the
care of soldiers in military hospitals during WW1. He also coined the term
“aromatherapy” with the 1937 publication of his book of the same name. He is
credited for the rediscovery of the healing properties of essential oils in modern times.
For a time, the perfume industry thought synthetic substitutes for pure essential oils
were a more desirable alternative. We are now finding these synthetic substances
used in many perfumes and beauty products are a cause of allergic reactions, skin
irritation and more.
the Neolithic period that aromatic herbs were used in cooking and medicine.
Ancient healers were holistic, both doctors and priests, and used the same plants to
heal body and spirit. Aromatic resins, balms and oils were used for magical and
religious ceremonies. Incense, probably one of the first uses of aromatherapy, is still
burned in Egyptian temples and eastern mosques, Christian and Orthodox churches
and Native American sweat lodges.
Many of the oils used in early times are still used today. 4000 years ago ancient
Sumerians used cypress and myrrh for spiritual rituals. Vedic texts from India dating
from 2000 BC, list cinnamon, spikenard, ginger, myrrh and sandalwood for use in
therapeutic massage.
Hippocrates is said to have saved Athens from the plague by setting huge bonfires of
aromatic wood in the streets. He is also quoted as saying “the key to good health
rests on having a daily aromatic bath and scented massage.”
It is also a well-known fact that many of those who survived the plagues of the middle
ages were those who worked in the perfumeries.
Distillation of essential oils is credited to the Persians in the 10th century, though even
earlier evidence from ancient cultures does exist.
In the 16th century many books were written on the distillation process and
therapeutic uses of essential oils. This renaissance was centered in Europe where a
German physician wrote several books referencing at least 25 essential oils.
By the late 1800’s the role of bacteria in disease was well recognized. French
physicians recorded the 1st laboratory tests on the antibacterial properties of
essential oils. These tests were a result of the observations of the low incidence of
tuberculosis in flower growing areas of southern France.
In 1910, a French chemist, Rene Gattefosse found that lavender oil could heal burns.
He later applied the wound healing and antiseptic properties of essential oils in the
care of soldiers in military hospitals during WW1. He also coined the term
“aromatherapy” with the 1937 publication of his book of the same name. He is
credited for the rediscovery of the healing properties of essential oils in modern times.
For a time, the perfume industry thought synthetic substitutes for pure essential oils
were a more desirable alternative. We are now finding these synthetic substances
used in many perfumes and beauty products are a cause of allergic reactions, skin
irritation and more.
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