History of aromatherapy broad by the Egyptians civilization
The Egyptians invented a rudimentary (basic, simple, elementary, undeveloped) distillation machine that allowed for the crude extraction of cedarwood oil. It is also thought by some that Persia and India may have also invented crude distillation machines, but very little is known. Aromatherapy had been around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian physician recommended fragrant oils for bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 years ago. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
The modern era of aromatherapy is dawned in 1930 when the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy for the therapeutic use of essential oils. He was fascinated by the benefits of lavender oil in healing his burned hand without leaving any scars. He started investigating the effect of other essential oils for healing and for their psychotherapeutic benefits. During world war II, the French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet used essential oils as antiseptics. Later, Madame Marguerite Maury elevated aromatherapy as a holistic therapy. She started prescribing essential oils as remedy for her patients. She is also credited with the modern use of essential oils in massage. Aromatherapy works the best when it works on the mind and body simultaneously.
Oils of cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm (preserve , mummify, wrap up) the dead. When a tomb was opened in the early 20th century, traces of the herbs were discovered with intact portions of the body. The scent, although faint, was still apparent(clear, evident). Although the cedarwood the Egyptians used was distilled by a crude distillation process, the other oils the Egyptians used were most likely infused oils. In the beginning, there was the smell. The Egyptians are believed to be the first to have ever used essential oils and aromatherapy, as gifts to the gods and then for embalming. The physician Imhotep, the Egyptian god of medicine and healing, recommended his patients use aromatic oils for bathing, massage and embalming their dead. Hypocrites, the father of modern medicine, used aromatic oils for bathing and massage. He saved Athens from plague by using aromatic fumigations.
In those times, Egyptian men used aromatic oils as much as women. They used to fragrance their bodies by placing a solid cone of perfume on their heads. The perfume cone would gradually melt and the body would be covered with the fragrance.For embalming their dead, the Egyptians used cedar wood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh essential oils. In the early 20th century, an Egyptian tomb was discovered and scientists were surprised at finding traces of aromatic herbs intact on portions of the body. The scent, although weak, was still perceptible. A crude distillation process was used for cedar wood oil, but other oils the Egyptians used were more than likely infused oils. The Greeks followed the Egyptians in developing many uses for essential oils, and discovered other medicinal and cosmetic uses for them.Greek mythology acclaims the gods possessed the gift and knowledge of perfumes.
The Greeks started using the oils for massage, perfumes, ointments and medical treatment. While with aromatic plants and essential oils the Egyptians prepared medicines, embalming preparations, massage oils, skin care products and different cosmetics. Aromatherapy use is described in some ancient Egyptian manuscripts dating back from 1555BC. In these manuscripts it is described, in detail, remedies for various types of illnesses. The methods used in those times were seemingly very similar to today’s Aromatherapy. A reference book about herbal medicine was also discovered. It was written by a Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscorides, and used in the Western world for about 1,200 years. Some of the remedies mentioned in this book are still used today. Megallus, a Greek perfumer, created a perfume called Megaleion, which included myrrh in a fatty-oil base and was used for several purposes: for its aroma, for its anti-inflammatory properties on the skin and to heal wounds.
There is also evidence that Chinese people, around the same time as the Egyptians, began using aromatic oils for medical reasons. The oldest medical book in China entitled “Chinese Yellow Emperor Book of Internal Medicine”, which was written in 2,697BC by Shen Nung, includes medical treatments involving the use of over 300 different aromatic plants and their properties. The author also mentions the practice of burning aromatic oils to help create balance and harmony.
The Romans adopted the use of aromatic oils for medical and cosmetic reasons from the Greeks. The Romans often massaged with oil after a typical bath. They added to already existing aromatic oils a wide number of new oils from their expended trade routes. As they were known to be avid conquerors and explorers the Romans imported many new aromatic oils mainly from East India and Arabia. Soon, the practice of aromatherapy also expanded in these two countries.
In fact, an Arab physician called Avicenna first used a process to extract essential oils that resembles the modern method of distillation. The Arabs were also the first to produce lighter perfumes, instead of heavy oil based ones, and they were the first to distil alcohol. Ayurveda is the traditional Indian medicine, which has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. It is well known that it includes massage with aromatic oils as its main method of treatment. The Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans people also used aromatic plants and essential oils in rituals and in daily life. The Aztecs were known for their treatments involving aromatic plants and oils, a large number of medicinal plants discovered in Montezuma’s botanical gardens by the Spanish conquerors. North American Indians used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies. ...Until New Times As the centuries passed, aromatherapy developed.
In the 12th century a German named Hildegard had his own lavender garden, using the plants for their medicinal properties. Then, in the 13th century the pharmaceutical industry was born which triggered an increase in the number of distilled essential oils. When Black Death stroked and killed millions of people in the 14th century. An important role in the fight against the dreadful killer was allotted to aromatic oils, which were extensively used in those times. In the centuries that followed more plants were used to produce essential oils. The number of books about herbs and their properties increased. The alchemist and medical doctor Paracelcus, was one of the first use the term Essence. He focused his studies upon using plants as medicines. In the 16th and 17th centuries more essential oils were produced and people could buy oils from the "apothecary". Also, perfume started being regarded as an art form.
The term Aromatherapy originated from two words: aroma - fragrance or smell and therapy - treatment. The French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse initiated the modern term aromatherapy in 1928. He studied the benefits of using lavender oil for healing skin damaged by burns and for its antimicrobial effects. Impressed with the results obtained, he set up a business producing oils for cosmetic uses. Years later, in 1964 a French medical doctor inspired by his predecessor wrote and published the book called “The practice of Aromatherapy”. In 1977 Robert Tisserand published his book “The Art of Aromatherapy” which had huge success amongst Americans. These authors dared to be the first to talk about this ancient healing art, Aromatherapy has become more widely known in the West and its popularity, as an alternative or complementary method of treatment is still growing. Madame Marguerite Maury is believed to have initiated the modern use of essential oils in massage, as she administered essential oils to her patients besides the treatment they received from doctors.
Now, in some regions of Europe it is frequent to find conventional doctors who practice Aromatherapy and health insurance companies that provide refunds for treatments. During the 19th and 20th centuries the most important constituents of essential oils became isolated and the knowledge of separating the main ingredients of essential oils was used to produce synthetic chemicals and drugs. Scientists who believed that using these ingredients alone or in synthetic form would have the same beneficial effect were proved to be wrong, because natural ingredients are more potent. Synthetic drugs are prepared to directly hit physical problems bring with them certain side effects associated with specific drugs. Conversely, Natural oils are destined to heal the whole individual by stimulating their mental and physical awareness. Today, the uses of essential oils are many and varied, from combating infections and relaxing patients to decreasing blood pressure and cleansing the air in hospitals. For example in France, you can learn about aromatherapy in medical schools. The physician prescribes you the oils, you go with the prescription to a pharmacy to have it prepared, and you administer it as prescribed, by inhalation or through massage, baths, and compresses. In the United States, professionals accredited in other methods of treatment, such as massage and physical therapy, often use aromatherapy.
The Egyptians also used infused oils and herbal preparations for spiritual, medicinal, fragrant and cosmetic use. It is thought that the Egyptians coined (invent) the term perfume, from the Latin per fumum which translates as through the smoke. Egyptian men of the time used fragrance as readily as the women. An interesting method that the men used to fragrance themselves was to place a solid cone of perfume on their heads. It would gradually melt and would cover them in fragrance. The Greeks learned a great deal from the Egyptians, but Greek mythology apparently credits the gift and knowledge of perfumes to the gods. The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic benefits of plants. Hippocrates, commonly called the "father of medicine" practiced fumigations for both aromatic and medicinal benefit. A Greek perfumer by the name of Megallus created a perfume called megaleion. Megaleion included myrrh in a fatty-oil base and served several purposes:
(1) for its aroma,
(2) for its anti-inflammatory properties towards the skin and
(3) to heal wounds.
The Roman Empire built upon the knowledge of the Egyptians and Greeks. Discorides wrote a book called De Materia Medica that described the properties of approximately 500 plants. It is also reported that Discorides studied distillation. Distillation during this period, however, focused on extracting aromatic floral waters and not essential oils.
REFERENCE
The use of therapeutic oils was spread throughout Asia and North Africa in ancient times, with India giving us a rich tradition of strongly perfumed oil such as sandalwood and patchouli. The Greeks and the Romans made good use of their Mediterranean plants for the production of aromatic oils. Hypocrites, called the `father of medicine’, produced a herbal that recorded the uses of more than 300 plants while in Rome, a doctor called Dioscorides wrote five books on healing herbs which he called De Materia Medica. These five volumes became a definitive work, translated into several languages.The Crusades saw the importation of methods of distilling oils and using their healing properties to northern Europe in the Middle Ages, with herbal oils becoming an important weapon in the fight against diseases such as the Black Death. One such preparation, called Four Thieves Vinegar, was supposed to have protected thieves robbing the bodies of plague victims from contracting the disease themselves.
The Middle Ages saw a great deal of study into herbs and their uses, with many books of the period — such as Culpeper’s Herbal — still being consulted today. The apothecaries of the Middle Ages were the physicians of the time, and every great house had a `still room’, where herbs were distilled and used for a variety of household, personal and medicinal purposes.The use of herbs fell into disrepute during the 18th and 19th centuries, when they eventually became associated with carnival barkers and `snake oil’, an impression which still taints any serious attempt to bring herbs back into the mainstream. But throughout recent history, there have been recorded instances of therapeutic healing oils being used to treat many complaints successfully, and today, aromatherapy has become an international industry.
The modern multi-billion dollar aromatherapy industry has spawned a wealth of aromatherapy products, such as essential oils, creams, candles, soaps, air fresheners, and fragrance infused papers, textiles and novelties.But all you have to do to enjoy these oils at their purest is crush a few aromatic leaves in your hand, as our ancient ancestors did. A major event for the distillation of essential oils came with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe in the 11th century. Persian by birth, Avicenna invented a coiled pipe which allowed the plant vapor and steam to cool down more effectively than previous distillers that used a straight cooling pipe. Avicenna's contribution lead to more focus on essential oils and their benefits. Within the 12th century, an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born.
This event encourages great distillation of essential oils. During the 14th century, the Black Death hit and killed millions of people. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromatics.Within the 15th century, more plants were distilled to create essential oils including frankincense, juniper, rose, sage and rosemary. A growth in the amount of books on herbs and their properties also begins later in the century. Paracelcus, an alchemist, medical doctor and radical thinker is credited with coining the term Essence and his studies radically challenged the nature of alchemy and he focused upon using plants as medicines. During the 16th century, one could begin purchasing oils at an "apothecary," and many more essential oils were introduced.During the 16th and 17th centuries, perfume starting being considered an art form, and it was more clearly defined as its own field. During the 19th century, perfumery remained a propserous industry. Women would have their jeweler create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume.
The 19th century also was important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated. During the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. This actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and aromatic benefit.During the earlier part of the 20th century, a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé became interested in the use of essential oils for their medicinal use. Previously, he focused on the aromatic use of essential oils, but his interest in their medicinal use grew after an accident heightened his curiosity. While working, he burned his arm rather badly. By reflex, he plunged his burned arm into the closest liquid which happened to be a large container of lavender essential oil.
The burn he suffered healed quickly and left no scar. Gattefossé is credited with coining the term aromatherapy in 1928 within an article where he supports the use of using essential oils in their whole without breaking them down into their primary constituents. In 1937, Gattefossé wrote a book called Aromathérapie: Les Huiles essentielles hormones végétales that was later translated into English and named Gattefossé's Aromatherapy. It is still in print and widely read. Other highly respected 20th century aromatherapists include Jean Valnet, Madam Marguerite Maury, and Robert B. Tisserand. Jean Valnet is most remembered for his work using essential oils to treat injured soldiers during the war and for his book, The Practice of Aromatherapy, originally entitled Aromathérapie in French. Austrian Madam Marguerite Maury is remembered as a biochemist who avidly studied, practiced and taught the use of aromatherapy for primarily cosmetic benefit. Robert B. Tisserand is an English aromatherapist who is responsible for being one of the first individuals to bring knowledge and education of aromatherapy to English speaking nations. He has written books and articles including the highly respected 1977 publication The Art of Aromatherapy.
The Art of Aromatherapy was the first aromatherapy book published in English. From the late 20th century and on into the 21st century, there is a growing resurgence to utilize more natural products including essential oils for therapeutic, cosmetic and aromatic benefit. The use of essential oils never ceased, but the scientific revolution minimized the popularity and use of essential oils in one's everyday life. Today's heightened awareness regarding the use of synthetics coupled with the increased availability of aromatherapy information within books and the Internet has refueled the use of essential oils for therapeutic, cosmetic, fragrant and spiritual use.
References:
Price, Shirley. Shirley Price's Aromatherapy Workbook. London, UK: Thorsons, 1993. ISBN: 0-7225-2645-8.Tisserand, Robert B. The Art of Aromatherapy. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1977. ISBN: 0-89281-001-7.Lawless, Julia. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. Rockport, MA: Element Books, Inc., 1995. ISBN: 1-85230-721-8.Manniche, Lise. Sacred Luxuries: Fragrance, Aromatherapy & Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1999. ISBN: 0-8014-3720-2.Gattefossé, René-Maurice. Gattefossé's Aromatherapy. Saffron Walden, UK: The C.W. Daniel Company Limited, 1993. ISBN: 0-85207-236-8
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