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	A History of Aromatherapy By Diane Wood, IIHHT
Astrology, Tarot, and Self Improvement for the New Age.

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A History of Aromatherapy
By Diane Wood, IIHHT

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The earliest information found on the use of Aromatic oils comes from ancient Egypt. Their priest doctors burnt Aromatic oils and gums as offerings to their gods. These aromatics were also used for preserving the dead. When these tombs were re-opened the scents of these oils and gums these odours could still be smelled. The early Egyptians also used oils in a macerated form. This is where the plant is left in a vegetable oil and, over a period of time, the essential oils seeps into the vegetable oil.

We can ascertain from wall paintings that by about the 3rd century BC the Egyptians had discovered some distillation processes, though these were very basic compared to the methods employed today. Water was poured into clay pots over the plant material and the openings were covered with woollen fibre. The pots were heated causing the Essential Oil to rise in the steam which saturated the wool. The wool was later squeezed to obtain the essence. Oil of Cedarwood was extracted this way and was highly prized due to its uses for embalment, medicine and perfumery.

Another extraction method employed by the Egyptians was by squeezing oils from exotic flowers. The blooms were collected in a large cloth bag with sticks attached to the sides. The sticks would then be twisted round until the bag was tightly pressed and the oil would ooze out of the petals.

The first medical book of which we have knowledge was written by Emperor Kiwang Ti around 2000 years BC. He refers to several essential oils whose properties he had recognised and are basically the same as those of today.

In the Old Testament there are many references to the use of Aromatics. The songs of Solomon has references to the valuable source of oils: ‘Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranites with pleasant fruits, camphire with spikenard, spikenard with saffron, calamus and cinnamon with all trees of frankincense myrrh and aloes'.

In the Grecian empire medicine became subject to more serious and scientific study. They discovered that that the odour of certain flowers was stimulating and refreshing while others were relaxing. They also used maceration with Olive oil which was, and still is, abundant in Greece. These oils were used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Greek soldiers were reputed to carry ointments with them into battle. These were made from Myrrh which can be used for the treatment of wounds.

Hippocrates mentions a vast number of medicinal plants in his writings. These include a large number of narcotics such as belladonna and mandrake as well as ‘food' plants such as rhubarb and quince.

From the Bologna School of the 13th century until the 19th century there was continual use of essential oils in the treatment of disease. Today the centre of the essential oil industry is Grasse. Suprisingly this came from the fact that it was and important leather making centre. In the middle of the 16th century Catherine d'Medici imported a fashion for scented gloves from Italy. The businessmen of Grasse were soon able to capitalise on this as a large quantity of Lavender and herbs grew in the French Alpine foothills. As with all these things, the fashion for scented gloves died out and the Gantier-Perfumers gave up leatherworking and concentrated on the production of essential oils instead. It is, however, interesting to note that historians have related that in Paris and London during the cholera epidemic that glovers enjoyed and immunity from the plague which was denied to others.

The English tradition of carrying a posy of lavender of herbs before an Assize judge dates from the time when these were the only known antidotes against the plague, and it was their liberal use in the law courts which allowed justice to be continued.

The early part of the 20th century brought about a slow but natural movement towards purer forms of treatment. With this came a rediscovery of the value of essential oils. A great amount of the credit for the rediscovery may be given to the chemist Professor Rene Gattefosse. He used Lavender oil as an antiseptic for the soldiers of the first world war. One evening, whilst working in his fathers perfumery, there was an explosion which caused Gattefosse to burn his arm. He dipped it into a vat of Lavender oil as it was the nearest liquid to hand. He noticed that the burn healed quickly and cleanly, leaving little scarring. He turned his attention to other oils that could be used in dermatology and wrote a scientific paper in 1928 entitled ‘aromathétapie'. In 1937 Gattefosse wrote a book of the name and thus the term ‘Aromatherapy' was coined.

What is Aromatherapy?

AROMA: A natural treatment that uses the concentrated energies in essential oils from plants to improve and maintain our client's wellbeing. These oils can be used in a number of ways.

THERAPY: The manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. A very powerful medium which can be applied either in a relaxing or stimulating way.

Aromatherapy is an holistic treatment in its own right. In the hands of a professionally qualified therapist it can aid in a range of physical and emotional problems. For example, Stress, Muscular Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive and skin problems. The holistic form of healing works to promote health by creating homeostasis. This means to balance the body, mind and spirit. It does not work in the same way as orthodox forms of medicine in that you would take an ‘asprin' to get rid of a headache.

Aromatherapy is more a preventative medicine. If you have a recurring problem, for example period pains every month, you would start treatments a few days before your periods are due to start and the oils would hopefully ease or prevent the pain.

Enchanted Spirit assumes no liability for health care recommendations or treatments discussed by individual authors whose work is published on our website.

The information here is offered to help in your research and investigation of possible ways to manage your own health care issues. Common sense as well as solid professional advice from your own trusted medical care specialist or personal holistic health care practitioner should always be part of managing your health care choices.

Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences.
No one can eliminate prejudices -- just recognize them.
~ Edward R. Murrow ~
Born April 25, 1908

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Enchanted Spirit is a non-denominational spiritual center of healing, support, self-improvement, personal guidance, education and writing. We publish multi-media works of New Age thought and information to encourage serenity and growth in individual life choices, advance the universal search for life's meaning, and promote tolerance for positive ideas from all philosophies and religious traditions, believing as we do that truth is where you find it.

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Last updated January 31st, 2004

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Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes
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Gordon B. Hinckley, Mike Wallace