The History of Aromatherapy

The History of Aromatherapy

The Egyptians

Aromatherapy as an holistic field, exists for more than 7000 years. And both ancient Chinese, Greek, Romans, Babylon's, Sumerians, Arabians, Egyptians, Indians and Tibetans used aromatherapy on a daily basis, to treat many health and spiritual ailments.

The Egyptians used to import rare oils, gums and resins in exchange for slaves, precious stones and gold.
These oils and gums were then used to burn in temples and religious ceremonies e.g. myrrh, frankincense, clove, calamus, cedarwood, henna, cinnamon, cypress, galbanum and nutmeg ( many of these oils were also used in the mummification process).
Cedarwood oil, was already believed to be of great aid in the embalming process, as a natural fixative, antiseptic and anti-bacterial oil.

In 6000 B.C. the Egyptian physician Imhotep, was well known in the ancient world by prescribing the use of scented oils for massages, cosmetics, bathing and for the process of embalming mummies. Imhotep was both a famous healer, medicine man and a pioneer in ancient aromatherapy.

But the use and application of oils by ancient Egyptians, was not restricted to beauty or religious ceremonies. These were also largely used to preserve and cook food e.g. olive and sesame oil.

Interesting enough, ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians viewed aromatherapy as a sign of political power, mightiness, economical importance and a practice favoured by the Gods.
Pharaohs used to offer oils to the Gods and Goddesses, allotting a specific scent to a specific deity. And the most famous Egyptian perfume "Kyphi" (scent of the Gods), was often used to induce deep states of relaxation and hallucination. This perfume was also used in the temples and dedicated to the God Ra.

The pharaoh Ramses III, was also well known by his offerings of rare oils, scents and incenses to the Gods.

In 2700 B.C. and under the ruling of pharaoh Kuphu ( builder of the great pyramid), scribers used papyrus to register the use of oils, incenses and herbs in the scenting of temples and religious ceremonies.

Interesting enough, Tutankhamen's tomb contained many clay pots with traces of frankincense, myrrh and spikenard.

Some people also believe, that ancient Egyptians were the first to use the technique of steam distillation, having passed this knowledge to Persians and Greek.
Additionally, they coined the term perfume or " per fumum" ( Latin name for smoked scent), as we know it today.

Therefore, the interest for aromatherapy in ancient Egypt, lead to the development of an exotic trade in oils and medicinal plants.
This trade already described in ancient clay tablets, was a way of living for many Egyptians, and a highly profitable business for the upper classes.

And high priests recorded often their knowledge in several papyrus, mentioning oils clearing capacities for the mind, as perfumes for the body and great aid in the embalming process.

Likewise, both Queens Nephritides and Cleopatra were known throughout the ancient world, by using many exotic scented oils. Cleopatra used particularly rose oils in the art of seduction.

China

In 2000 B.C. the famous "Yellow Emperor's book of internal Medicine", was written in China containing lists with 8000 plants based healing formulae.
Ancient Chinese believed back then, that by burning incense from certain plants, they could restore their physical health and balance to the entire body.

There are also other relevant studies conducted in China through out the centuries, regarding the use of aromatherapy, herbs, incenses and oils.
In 1100 A.C the "The Hsian Pu treatise" was written by Hung Chu, and in the XVI century Pen Ts'ao wrote the "Materia Medica", containing 2000 herbs along with many references to jasmine, chamomile and rose oils.

The Bible

Likewise, there are records in the Bible, mentioning the use of particular plants and oils by Salomon and Moses, both for religious ceremonies and to treat health problems.
The Bible also mentions, the trade in oils between Egypt and other ancient civilisations, in exchange for gold and slaves e.g. myrrh, balm, frankincense, calamus, cinnamon etc.
The Hebrew book of the "Exodus", also refers a few oils, herbal blends and sacred scents used in the initiation of priests.

India and Persia

In India, aromatherapy and herbalism lead to the development of the famous Ayurvedic medicinal system, that still today treats both body, mind and soul.

And Aromatherapy was enormously developed under the ruling of the Persians.

In the X century, the Persian physician, mathematician, poet, philosopher, astrologer and alchemist "Ibn Sina" or Avicenna, was well known in the ancient world by having refined the process of distillation, producing the first "rosa centifolia" steam distilled oil.
Avicenna had also a wide knowledge about herbs, roses and their medicinal properties, having identified in his life time aprox. 800 different types of healing plants.
He also wrote aprox. 100 books, widely used in Europe until the XVI century.
Avicenna's study "Cannon of Medicine", is still in distribution today and can be purchased in specialised bookshops.

Greece

In the year 469 B.C. in Greece, Hippocrates (father of modern medicine), also used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
Hippocrates was a well renown aromatherapist in his life time, recommending the use of oils in baths and body massages.
Both Hippocrates, the physician Megallus and Pedacius Dioscorides, widely recommended the use of scented oils in ancient Greece to promote good health.
Discorides, also wrote a book mentioning the property of aprox. 500 healing and aromatic plants, known as "De Materia Medica."

The Romans

And the Romans copying the Greek, used herbs and oils for culinary, medicinal and beauty purposes.
Both the Greek and Roman soldiers used to carry healing herbs and oils, to treat common battle wounds e.g. myrrh, cassis, cinnamon etc.

And under Nero's ruling, the Romans developed this exotic trade with Asia, not dispensing aromatic baths and cosmetics during their incursions into new territories.
The expansion of the Roman empire, also lead to a wide spread of these practices and herbal treatments.
Two of the most renown herbalists and scholars of the Roman empire were Galen and Theophrastus, both having dedicated part of their lives to the study of scents and their relation to promoting good health and body hygiene.

The Crusaders

But the use of scented oils, herbs and aromatherapy, was believed to be brought to Europe by the crusaders in the XII century, and under Arabic influence.
Initially these oils were used to repel insect bites, and later on to work as a disinfectants against the black plague.

The Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages in Europe, the upper classes used scented oils and herbs (e.g. pine, cypress, rosemary, lavender etc), to disguise unpleasant corporal odours and to ward off the black plague.
They used to carry little bouquets of flowers and herbs called " posies", believed to have antiseptic properties, preventing the spread of the disease.
And both streets, houses and "hospitals", were often fumigated with strong scented herbs like lavender and rosemary, believed to clean the air from disease and unhygienic smells.

In the Middle Ages, herbs were also placed in beds, pillows, clothes, handkerchiefs and hats to clean the air and protect people.
Besides oils and herbs, scented waters were also commonly used in the Middle Ages to ward off bad spirits, witchcraft and negative forces.
And medieval monasteries and nunneries became famous, by creating these herbal waters, planting remarkable healing gardens and by developing in-depth studies into herbal medicine.

Paracelsus and Culpeper

During the XV century, Paracelsus was a well renown scholar, alchemist, medicine man and herbalist. He was consider a revolutionary in his life time and a great thinker, having promoted the use of herbs in common medicine and healing.

During the XVII century (1616-1654), Nicholas Culpeper distinguished himself by having wrote a book containing the properties of hundreds of plants, known by the " Culpeper's herbal".
This information was then later on translated from Latin to English, being the cause of great agitation in England by many of his counterpart herbalists and scholars.

But, this book allowed herbal information to be available to ordinary people, who could collect local herbs and treat specific health problems.
Culpeper had also a wide knowledge about herbal medicine, being both an alchemist, physicist and astrologer.
His teachings and book, were also largely used in the years ahead by many famous English and Dutch botanists.

The Portuguese

The discovery of the Cape of Good Hope and the sea way to India by the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama, was a turning point for Europe and the World.
Due to the Portuguese trade excursions in Asia and Orient, new oils, incenses, spices and medicinal plants were brought to Europe by ship and later on to South and North America e.g. pepper, cinnamon, ginger, benzoin etc.
These sailors and first world explorers, not only "opened up doors to new worlds", but also allowed Europeans to get acquainted with new types of plants, animals and food.

The perfume industry

During the XVI, XVII and XVIII century, Italy and France developed the perfume industry, aiming to mask unpleasant body odours.
The first perfume makers and guild of glove, was established in France in 1656. And Louis XIV was one of its promoters, along with other French noble courtesans.

Fragrances were then so popular, that people used to put in hats, gloves, shoes, makeup powders, wigs and water.
In Britain, ladies used to wear sponges with scents under their dresses, in order to disguise body odours.

The XVII and XVIII centuries were known as the age of the European perfumery, along with the discovery of new and exotic scents from Asia and America.

In 1709, the Italian barber from Val Viggezo Gian Paolo Femini, created the famous "Aqua Admirabilis", better known as "Eau de Cologne".
This fragrance composed of lavender, bergamot, neroli oil and rosemary, was so successful in Germany (Cologne), that soon after Mr. Femini had to recruit his own nephew to assist him facing such a high demand.

So, in 1732 Giovanni Maria Farina took over his uncle's business, recommending this fragrance for the treatment of bleeding gums, ulcers, stomach disorders etc.
The "Eau de Cologne" became then very famous in France, mainly thanks to the lover of the French King Louis XV, the Countesse du Barry.

And both Napoleon and his soldiers, were also soon surrendered to this water, believing that it could treat a wide array of ailments e.g. mouth and stomach problems, along with scenting the skin.

Interesting enough, the late XVII and beginning of the XVIII century were times of great convulsions and wars in Europe.
Nonetheless, Mr. Farina was not a bit affected by these convulsions, having seen the use of his "Eau de Cologne" popularised in England, France and Austria, gaining increasingly new adepts and customers in these territories.

The rediscovery of Aromatherapy

During the XIX century, aromatherapy was forgotten by many, engaged in new scientific and revolutionary discoveries.
Yet, in the 1867 during the "International Exhibition of Paris", perfumery as a field appeared independent from aromatherapy, pharmacy and medicine.

Rene Maurice Gattefosse

In 1928, the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse (viewed by many as the father of modern aromatherapy), rediscovered the potential of this ancient field while working in his perfume lab.

Getefosse's interest for oils (in particular lavender oils), occurred during an accident in his lab, where he seriously burned one of his hands.
In great deal of pain, Gatefosse rushed to the first bowl of liquid he found, and by coincidence was a bowl containing lavender oil.

As a result, Gatefosse's hand healed quickly, not leaving any apparent sign of scars. Gatefosse was soon after surrendered to aromatherapy and its healing properties, having researched other essential oils during his life time, taking into account both their scent, unique chemical properties and medicinal uses.

He also wrote a book still in print today and called "Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales."

Dr. Jean Valnet

During World War II, Dr. Jean Valnet (french army surgeon), used essential oils as antiseptics to treat both battle wounds and gangrene.
Medicinal plants and oils, proved to be efficient and a great help in a time of need of medical supplies.
Dr. Vanets book "The practice of Aromatherapy", studies the use of oils from a medicinal, cosmetics and perfumery perspective.

Madame Marguerite Maury

Yet, it was Madame Marguerite Maury (french biochemist) in the late 1950s, the one who elevated aromatherapy to an holistic field.
She studied Dr. Valnets methods, prescribing the use of essential oils as external body remedies.
Madame Maury was one of the most credited aromatherapist during the II World War period, having combined the use of scented oils with beauty products, specially intended for massages and baths.
She is also widely known, by having developed new massage techniques, still very much in use.

XXI century Aromatherapy

In 1960, and due to the introduction of chemical based synthetic drugs, aromatherapy and herbalism lost ground to conventional medicine.

Yet, in the XXI century there's a great interest for aromatherapy, and the rediscovery of this ancient field of healing.

And countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, France, Switzerland and Japan are leading researchers and promoters of both aromatherapy and herbalism based treatments.