History Of Aromatheraphy

was used by the most ancient civilizations and is reputed to be at least 6000 years old. It is widely thought that Aromatherapy originated in Egypt. A medical papyri (writings) estimated to date around 1555 BC contains remedies for many types of illnesses with similar methods of application in Aromatherapy and Herbal medicine today.The Egyptians used a method known as infusion to extract the oils from aromatic plants and incense was probably one of the earliest ways of using aromatics. Frankincense was burned at sunrise as an offering to the sun god, Ra and myrrh was offered to the moon. The Egyptians used many fragrant oils after bathing and for massages. The Greeks continued the use of aromatic oils for medicine and cosmetics. A book about herbal medicine written by a Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscorides, was the Western world's standard medical reference for at least 1200 years. Many of the Aromatherapy remedies mentioned in his book are still in use today.Rome became the bathing and massage capital of the world, taking much of their medical knowledge from the Greeks, the Romans went on to use and improve aromatherapy. As trade routes opened up to East India and Arabia the Romans began importing new aromatic products.Though it took many years to perfect the process, the physician Avicenna who lived from A.D 980 to A.D. 1037 is believed to have first used the process of distillation to obtain the essence of rose. Around the same time, the Arabs also discovered how to distil alcohol making it possible to produce perfumes without a heavy oily base.It is a believed that the ancient Chinese civilizations were using some form of aromatherapy at the same time as the Egyptians. Shen Nung's Herbal book, dated about 2700 B.C., is the oldest surviving medical book in China and contains information on over 300 plants. The Chinese used aromatic herbs and burned aromatic woods and incense to show respect to God.One of the main aspect of traditional Indian medicine known as ayurveda practiced for more than 3000 years incorporates aromatic massage. The invasions of South America by the conquistador’s brought about the discovery of more medicinal plants and aromatic oils as the Aztecs were well known for their plant remedies and the Spanish were amazed at the wealth of medicinal plants found in Montezuma's botanical gardens.The North American Indians also used aromatic oils and produced their own herbal remedies.It wasn't until the 19th century that scientists in Europe and Great Britain began researching the effects of essential oils on bacteria in humans.A French chemist , Rene Maurice Gattefosse, began his research into the healing powers of essential oils after burning his hand in his laboratory and immersing in it in lavender oil and being impressed by how quickly the burn healed. In 1937 he published a book about the anti -microbial effects of the oils and coined the word Aromatherapy. He went on to set up a business producing oils for use in fragrances and cosmetics. Around the same time another Frenchman, Albert Couvreur, published a book on the medicinal uses of essential oils.A French medical doctor , Jean Valnet, discovered Gattefosse's research and began experimenting with essential oils. Around the same time, Margaret Maury, a French biochemist developed a unique method of applying these oils to the skin with massage. Micheline Arcier, now living in London, studied and worked with Maury and Valnet and their combined techniques created a form of Aromatherapy now used all over the world.