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History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is truly an ancient art and science, having been around for thousands of years. Read below for a brief overview of how scents and essential oils have been used in different ways by different cultures over time.
Ancient Times
- ancient texts describe to us how essential oils are used to heal the body, alter moods, stir memories, arouse sexual desire and generally improve quality of life
- crude forms of essential oil distillation are used in Persia, Egypt and India for scent, antiseptic, analgesic and anti-bacterial properties
- in Egypt, perfumed oils, barks and resins are used in medicine, embalming, massage, and ceremonies and rituals; the most famous Egyptian, Cleopatra, was said to have worn jasmine during her trade talks and her hair was said to have smelled of myrrh
- Greeks and Romans use essential oils for cosmetics, medicine, fragrances, birth control, weight loss, bad breath and hangovers, and to treat worms and lice
- Romans bring lavender, rosemary and thyme into Western Europe during their invasion
Middle Ages & Renaissance
- during the 12th Century knowledge of essential oils spreads throughout Europe because of the Crusades; knights bring back resins, scented oils and herbs as well as information on their uses
- in the Middle Ages distillation techniques improve and the use of essential oils becomes common among apothecaries (what today would be called pharmacists); essential oils are used in many common home remedies
- with the Renaissance comes herbology and progress in chemistry; elixirs, balms, scented waters and fragrant oil begin to be used for medicine and skin care
Late 1800's - 1960's
- In 1896, chemical science isolates the active therapeutic properties in essential oils, and synthetic therapeutic oils begin to be made, with mixed reults – sometimes the synthesis process creates irritants where they didn't exist
- In 1928, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, a chemist, coins the term "aromatherapy" in Lyon, France
- Gattefosse discovers that there is a greater benefit in using the whole essential oil rather than trying to isolate the oil's active chemical constituents, when in a panic he sticks his hand in lavender essential oil after his hand catches fire in a laboratory explosion, and little to no visible scarring occurs; he devotes the rest of his life to studying the properties of plant essences and their healing properties
- starting in the 1930's the use of essential oils goes into another decline, as people begin to trust the medical establishment for all aspects of their health
- in the 1950's pharmaceutical companies begin introducing more and more synthetic drugs, as society begins to rely more on treatment than prevention
- synthetic drugs begin to be researched and studied over natural remedies because of the patentability and profit of drugs (no one can "own" the rights to a natural remedy)
- much knowledge about the curative properties of plants and herbs disappears during the period from 1930-1970, with essential oils used mainly as flavourings in food and perfumes
1970's
- French doctors start taking an interest in essential oils again, spurring greater clinical research
- people begin to become more interested in preventative medicine and begin questioning the medical establishment; patients begin looking for medical alternatives and begin exploring their health care options
Today
- today in Europe there are over 40 schools teaching aromatherapy
- in France doctors can specialize in aromatherapy and patients can choose aromatherapy treatment as a therapeutic option
- in France essential oils are also administered internally by doctors (we do not recommend this to our customers)
- in England, most nurses in hospitals and hospices use aromatherapy to combat odours, bacteria, pain, relieve tension and use it therapeutically in massage
- in North America knowledge about the healing properties of essential oils is just beginning - our medical system has not yet formally recognized the therapeutic values of essential oils (the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists is working on obtaining formal recognition from Health Canada)
- though very few pharmaceutical companies have done any in-depth clinical testing of essential oils, some major drug companies are beginning to look for alternatives to synthetic drugs as people demand more knowledge and participation in their own healing processes
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