The Origins of Aromatherapy
The origin and elements of Aromatherapy can be traced back to
nearly 3000 years before Christ, when the earlier Egyptians used
the elements of Aromatherapy in their daily lives. Documented
records show that Egyptians burned incense made from aromatic
woods and additional herbs to honor their gods.
Also imperial harems and guest houses used many aromatic oils
very profusely to satisfy numerous important guests.
Aromatherapy has its roots in the most ancient healing and
therapeutic practices. Healing plants are used to cure many
ailments and used in many sacred rituals to evoke separate
states of consciousness.
Elaborate religious ceremonies were performed in Egyptian
temples, where the dead King was mummified and surrounded with
exotic necessary oils. Egyptians believed very firmly that
essential oils have an unusual preserving property when added
with other spices.
Embalming was one of the principal uses of aromatherapy,
preserving the fabric of the bodies for thousands of years. The
oils and resins used were so powerful, that in the 17th century
mummies were sold in Europe and doctors distilled them for use
in their medicines.
Aromatherapy truly emerged from the smoky temples of Egypt 6,000
years ago. Egypt was the motherland of medicine, pharmaceutics,
cosmetics and perfumery. Trading was flourishing and traders
arrived for trade from all over the world by land and sea to
deliver flowers, herbs and plants. Priestesses and priests
strictly supervised the delicate preparations in the temples and
palaces, reading formulas & chanting incantations and hymns, as
substances were measured & combined with ultimate precision.
Purification processes went on for months until the right,
perfect subtle blend was achieved.
The use of aromatherapy spread from Egypt to Israel, China,
India and the Mediterranean. Every culture, from the most
backward to the most up to date, developed their own set of
practices. Greek physicians and military surgeons were employed
by the Romans every where in the empire. After the fall of the
Roman Empire, the science spread to the Arab countries, where
medicine men devoted them to the bygone art of alchemy,
perfecting the art of distillation and extraction.
For many centuries essential oils were the only remedies for
widespread diseases and conditions. During the dreaded Black
Plague, very few became ill, who in fact were associated with
perfumeries and glove industries where these oils were in
profuse use. During the 19th century, with the development of
modern science, all forms of herbal medicine disappeared until
the 1920s, when French chemist Gatefosse revived the art, giving
it the name Aromatherapy.
India was one of the few countries where the custom was never
lost, Avurveda being the most ancient medical practice in the
world today. Aromatherapy is now used in hospitals, offices,
clinics and homes all over the world. Aromatherapy acts as a
span between the new and old, most of the industries use these
oils for various blends and concoctions, which contribute cure
and relief for a number of complications.