Aromatherapy: A Look At the Past

In recent days, aromatherapy has becoming increasingly popular form of alternative medicine. But how did it actually started? Let’s take a closer look at the history of aromatherapy.

The use of fragrant volatile plant oils and extracts probably started in China. Chinese people have been using incense since ancient times for their religious rituals.

There had also been some evidence of the aromatherapy practice in Egypt. There are some machines that have been made by the Egyptians to serve as an oil extraction device. They use oils mostly to embalm the dead people in their civilization. Some oils have also been used to cure them from some ailments and for body fragrance and cosmetics.

The interaction between the Greeks and the Egyptians passed the use of aromatherapy to the Western Regions. In some literature and documents found in Greece, there had been some written evidence that essential oils are used for many applications in medicine. In fact, Hippocrates is one of the well-known personalities that wrote about his use of essential oils for medicinal purposes.

Aromatherapy is also widely used in the Roman Empire. In fact, many Romans studied and documented the benefits that plant can provide to people. Including in these texts are entries about plant oils that have been made useful even back then.

The 13th century marked a great deal in the field of aromatherapy. This is the time when the pharmaceutical industry was established. This resulted in a lot more studies done about plant extracts. 

During the Dark Ages, many people have died from different diseases. Many lives have also been spared because of the use of essential oils to treat some of these epidemics. A lot more plant extracts have been discovered and were start being used to provide sure to many sickness in these times.

A lot more events occur between the 15th and the 20th century that contributed in the field of aromatherapy that we are enjoying today. In the 1900’s the scientist discover a way to separate the composition on essential oils. This resulted in another breakthrough since this process lead to the production of many clinical drugs that we use today.

In 1920’s the term ‘aromatherapy’ have been first used by the French chemist, René Maurice Gattefossé. He had devoted a lot of time studying essential oils.

During the world war, many soldiers and medical practitioners have tried the effectiveness of essential oils in treating wounds and fractures. Since then, aromatherapy play a very important role in the lives of many people practicing the field.

Since the start of early human civilization, the important benefits of aromatherapy has been noticeably crucial in what it is right now. The many studies that have been done by our ancestors have been an important tool for us to enjoy the current aromatherapy products that we have right now with ease and comfort. Looking back on the many events that happened that lead to the present practice of aromatherapy, it is nice to say many people have gained so much benefits from this field. And now a lot more would be enjoying the wonders of aromatherapy as lot more continues to practice is all around the world.