Aromatherapy has been with us for thousands of years, probably since ancient times when Egyptians made incense from aromatic herbs to honor their deities. There are also references in ancient Chinese texts to the use of infused oils for massage from as far back as 2650 BC. It was not only in ancient Egypt and China that aromatherapy was practiced, for Hippocrates wrote of using aromatic herbs as well.
Hippocrates is known as the Father of Medicine and lived in Greece around 2500 years ago. He advocated the use of making massage oil infused with the aroma from flowers and herbs, as well as the benefits of aromatic baths. It was during this time that aromatherapy made great advances as a healing modality.
During the time of the Black Death in England in 1603, it was observed that those who gave in to the plague tended to work with perfumes and aromatics. This sparked interest in the effects of aromatherapy and scientific writings from the time indicate aromatherapy was studied extensively for its healing properties.
By 1800, aromatherapy was firmly established world wide and was used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse is often referred to as the Father of Aromatherapy. He was a French chemist and he accidentally discovered the healing properties of lavender oil when he used it to treat a burn he suffered in his laboratory.
This fueled his interest and he went on to study aromatics and even coined the term 'aromatherapie' which the art is still known as today. His work garnered the interest of a French doctor by the name of Jean Valnet who also conducted research in aromatherapy and its use in the treatment of medical and psychiatric conditions.
Madame Marguerite Maury, who also lived in France studied the works of Dr Valnet and she formulated the first holistic aromatherapy approach.
Since that time, the practice of aromatherapy has spread around the world and gained immense popularity as an alternative form of healing the mind and body. Aromatherapy is commonly used to combat stress and promote harmony and tranquility within the body to lead to a state of well being.
One can be treated with aromatherapy in a spa or from a alternative health practitioner. It is also quite easy to treat yourself at home by using either prepared aromatherapy products or creating your own by using essential oils, or flowers and aromatic herbs found in nature.
