The History of Aromatherapy

The roots of Aromatherapy can be traced back more than 3,500 years before the birth of Christ, to a time when the use of aromatics was first recorded in human history. In reality, the history of aromatherapy is inexorably linked to the development of aromatic medicine, which in the early days was itself combined with religion, mysticism and magic.

Much of the ancient history of fragrance is shrouded in mystery. Anthropologists speculate that primitive perfumery began with the burning of gums and resins for incense. The ancient Egyptians believed that the sense of smell and ability to detect odors was the most important of our sensory abilities and considered it far more important than sight or even the ability to think. The senses were ordered according to their importance and how much energy must be “eaten” for an individual to receive a particular sensation or utilize the energy. The most energy absorption available to the human is assigned to the nose. Smell, then, represents the subtlest sense of odor and intuition, which was the soul-centered "Intelligence of the Heart" to the Egyptians. Without this higher nourishment, they believed the spirit would starve, become weak, and eventually die.

The term ‘aromatherapie’ was first coined by the French biochemist Reneé-Maurice Gattefossé in 1937. He is thought to have become an advocate after burning his arm during a laboratory experiment after which he plunged it into the nearest tub of cold liquid. The tub was full of lavender oil, and not only did he find relief from the pain, but the wound healed at an astonishing rate. Gattefossé went on to study the properties of essences for the rest of his life and theorized that essential oils can be passed from the skin to the body’s internal organs.

Aromatherapy Today

Plants not only play a vital role in the ecological balance of our planet, but they have also been intimately linked to the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of people since the beginning of time. The plant kingdom continues to be the subject of an enormous amount of research and discovery. At least 30% of prescription drugs in the U.S. are based on naturally occurring compounds from plants. Essential oils are considered the most powerful part of the plant.

Essential oils are different from vegetable oils as they are not greasy and do not clog the pores like many vegetables oils can. As well, most essential oils cannot go rancid and are powerful antimicrobials.

The ability of essential oils to act on both the mind and the body is what makes them truly unique among natural therapeutic agents.

Northland Holistic Health understands the power of essential oils in the realm of personal, holistic healthcare and appreciates the necessity for obtaining the purest essential oils possible.

Sources

The History of Aromatherapy from Quinessence Online - Visit

History of Essential Oils, Dennis William Hauck