The History of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term “aromatherapy” was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé who accidentally discovered in laboratory that lavender oil relives pain and assists to slight burns healing. The word “Aromatherapy” is a compound
Greek word made up by the word fragrance (aroma) and the word treatment (therapy).
It is historically proved that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Persians used to use aromatherapy oils. In ancient Egypt, plant oils were widely used for cosmetics, spiritual relaxation, as well as for embalming and mummification of their deads. As a consequence of the Egyptians’ love for aromatic plants and herbs, the fragrance industry and aromatic medicine were developed more than in any other ancient culture.
The history of Aromatherapy leads us to Ancient Greece. Asclepius (circa 1200 BC) is the first known physician in history who experimented with herbs and plants in his surgeries. Hypocrites (circa 400 BC), “the father of medicine”, studied the beneficial effects of hundreds of scented plants and herbs. Other Greek physicians who dealt with herbs and aromatic oils are Pedacius Dioscorides and Theophrastus who prescribed herbal and aromatic remedies.
Ibn Sina, a great physician of the age, known in Europe as Avicenna (circa 1000 AC), invented a pipe which steam distilled the plants and produced true essential oils and not aromatic waters as in the past.
After the Catholic Crusaders returned from the Holly Places, many aromatics, herbal remedies and scented plants of the Middle East became well known to Europe. Along with the exploration of the East, merchants brought to Europe new aromatherapy remedies and a rich variety of exotic plants and herbs. Moreover essential oils were used in fumigation of hospitals. At the same period of the history of Aromatherapy, physicians, pharmacists and chemists used to distillate more plants to create essentials oils and many of them published books about aromatic remedies and the use of aromatherapy essential oils for relaxation and pharmaceutical purposes.
Consequently, many essential oil industries were established throughout Europe, providing oils for the pharmaceutical, flavour and fragrance purposes.
The history of Aromatherapy continues during the 20th century, when many aromatherapists contributed their knowledge to aromatherapy and created more natural products and more effective and pleasurable techniques. The idea was further developed by an Austrian biochemist named Marguerite Maury that used essential oils as an integral part of healing massage and practiced the use of aromatherapy for cosmetic benefits.
The first book in the history of Aromatherapy published in the English language was the “Art of Aromatherapy” written by the English aromatherapist Robert B. Tisserand in 1977. Nowadays, the popularity of essential oils and aromatherapy rises especially in the Western World. Aromatherapy has become fundamental for alternative and holistic medicine. Numerous studies and books about Aromatherapy and the healing power of essential oils are published and more natural products are created for therapeutic, cosmetic and aromatic benefits.
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