A

romatherapy, the use of plant-derived essential oils for a wide variety of therapeutic purposes, has seen increased interest in recent years. However the use of aromatic plants, herbal medicine, and essential oils go back hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

...ancient civilizations...

The ancient civilizations, including Greeks, Romans, Persians, Chinese, Egyptians, and Arabs, used aromatic essential oils from plants in perfumes, medicines, and incenses. Much of our knowledge about ancient cultures has been gained from the study of tombs and well-preserved remains. The process of embalming was made possible by the essential oils of cedarwood and myrrh.

The Romans and Greeks recognized the antiseptic properties of some essential oils, thyme in particular. Aboriginal Australian cultures found the same properties in eucalyptus. The Greek physician Hippocrates used aromatic oils and massage in his ancient practice. Aromatherapy methods show many parallels with 3,000-year-old ayurvedic practices from India in the use of aromatic oils and massage.

The essential oils of aromatherapy hold quite a place of honor in Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus. Two of the three gifts presented by the magi were essential oils: myrrh, which was used in perfume and incense, as well as a disinfectant and healing agent, and frankincense, used in incense and as a medicinal oil.

As world trade and travel increased through the centuries, the knowledge of the use of aromatic plants and methods to distill essential oils from plants spread around the world. Aromatic plants and trees themselves were carried around the world as well, allowing people to access plant derivatives that were not indigenous to their local area.

As time approached the 18th century, essential oils were primarily used and appreciated by the medical profession and perfumers. Both of these industries concentrated their efforts to find artificial chemical alternatives to traditional ingredients. These efforts were generally successful, and by the 20th century, herbal medicine was decidedly old-fashioned and often viewed with suspicion.

...many believe that the full potential of aromatherapy has yet to be realized.

Modern aromatherapy owes much to the French. The word aromatherapy was coined by French chemist Rene Gattefosse after his accidental discovery that lavender oil has a beneficial effect on burnt skin. Further research was carried out by Jean Valnet, resulting in the publication of the book Aromatherapie in the 1960s.

The medical advancements of the past two centuries should be applauded. But many believe that the full potential of aromatherapy has yet to be realized.

Return to table of contents.

News items above may include material from Yahoo, Ezinearticles, Goarticles, Medworm, Digg and/or Google, and are copyright their respective owners.