The History of Aromatherapy Oils
Learn About Aromatherapy Careers and Evolution
Learn About Aromatherapy Careers and Evolution
The use of aromatherapy actually predates written history. Combinations of resins, oils and fragrant plants were used in some form—for ceremonial, medicinal or pleasurable reasons—in most ancient civilizations. Perfumes and aromatic plants were the basis for many of the early trade routes established among ancient civilizations.
Aromatherapy Begins in Egypt
and Spreads to Advanced Ancient Civilizations
Some of the earliest documented uses of aromatherapy were in Ancient Egypt. There, 3000 year old papyruses have been discovered containing remedies for many types of illnesses; some of the methods of application are similar to the ones used in aromatherapy today. The Ancient Egyptians used aromatic plants and their essential oils to create massage oils, medicines, embalming preparations, skin care products, fragrant perfumes and cosmetics. There are other written accounts of aromatic oil use in Ancient Africa, Mesopotamia, Greece, Babylon and China. In fact, the Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine, written in 2697 BC, is the oldest surviving medical book in China—it contains information on more than 300 plants and their properties.
The Greek and Roman Influence on Aromatherapy
Greek and Roman civilizations later adopted the use of aromatic oils for both medicinal and cosmetic reasons. The Western world's standard medical reference for more than 1200 years was a book on herbals written by the Greek physician Pedacius Dioscorides. In fact, many of his remedies are still in use in modern aromatherapy. Aromatics were used in early Rome, where massage with oil would often follow a typical bath. The Romans, who were also voracious explorers and conquerors, expanded trade routes to East India, Arabia, and beyond. This enabled them to add a wide variety of new aromatic products to their repertoire.
Aromatherapy Traditions for the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans
Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in daily life. The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and a wealth of medicinal plants was found in Montezuma's botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.
Aromatherapy Comes to America!
The modern term aromatherapy was coined in 1928 by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. Decades later, another French medical doctor Jean Valnet, inspired by Gattefosse's research, published his own work in 1964, The Practice of Aromatherapy. In 1977, Robert Tisserand released his book The Art of Aromatherapy and was successful in capturing American interest in this ancient healing art. Through Valnet's, Tisserand's, and other scientists' work of the current era, the healing science of aromatherapy has begun to be more widely known in the West.
Today in the West, the popularity of aromatherapy as an alternative or complementary therapy is growing rapidly. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, US aromatherapy is over a $1 billion dollar business, and is expected to continue to grow over the next few years. Already, in areas of Europe it is common to find mainstream doctors who practice aromatherapy and health insurance companies that reimburse for treatments.
Sources:
Educational & Career Opportunities in Alternative Medicine, 1999-2006
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