Aromatherapy

What is it?

History

How it can help…

What is Aromatherapy?

It is the use of essential oils, extracted from plants, as a therapy.

The oils have therapeutic properties, used for treating both medical and non medical conditions (improving health and preventing disease).

Oils have been used for centuries in holistic treatments to improve both physical and emotional well-being, they have also been used for religious and cosmetic purposes.

Aromatherapy can be utilized in a number of ways including massage, baths and inhalations.

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Another Ancient Science

It is said that the use of essential oils is as old as man himself, but the first evidence goes back 5000 years. The Bible at Exodus 30:22-24 gives the formula God gave to Moses for the holy annointing oil: myrrh, sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia and olive oil. It even specified the exact quantities to be used.

China - The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine dates back to 2000yrs BC and records the use of herbal medicine.

India - The history of plant extraction in Indian medicine goes back 5000yrs, and is known as Ayurvedic Medicine.

Egypt - Hieroglyphics record the use of aromatic oils and their recipes for different ailments. In 1870 the Ebers Papyrus was discovered. This is a 70 foot scroll, dated 1500BC, documenting over 800 herbs and prescriptions with remedies

Greece - The Greeks produced great Holisic physicians, who recognized the healing power of plants. The most note worthy was Hippocrates (460BC), known as the father of medicine, who recommended aromatic baths and massage to maintain good health.

Rome - The Romans used essential oils in massage, hot bathes and scent.

The Arabs - Avicenna, a physician, is credited with the discovery of the steam distillation used today to obtain essential oils.

…and another Modern Art

In the 17th Century, a famous Physician Nicolas Culpepper wrote the Herbal Book, documenting plants, herbal oils and there uses.

Unfortunately, as the 19th Century progressed, the use of aromatic medicine and herbs declined as drug therapies advanced.

This changed with the emergence of a French scientist, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, whose family was in the perfume business.

After burning his hand one day he plunged it into a vat of the essential oil, Lavender. He was amazed that his hand healed so quickly, without scarring.

During the First World War he used essential oils on soldiers’ wounds and demonstrated the healing effects they had.

In 1920s he coined the phase aromatherapy. In 1928 he published a book by that name.

Dr Jean Valnet brought the power of aromatherapy to both the medical field and lay persons. During the Second World War he too used essential oils on the soldiers. He used Cammomile and Lemon as disinfectants and antiseptic. He also used oils on psychiatric patients. In 1964 he published a book called “The Practice Of Aromatherapy”.

Others followed. Today Aromatherapy is a household word, widely accepted in many countries.

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Conditions where Aromatherapy might help…

If you are suffering from any medical condition you are advised to contact your licensed medical practitioner…

Abdominal pain Abscess Acne Addictions Anal fissures Athlete's foot Bad breath Bedsores Bleeding Bleeding gums Blepharitis Blisters Boils Breathing difficulty Bronchitis Bruises Burns Carbuncles Catarrh Chapped lips Chilblains Circulation Cold sores Colds Conjunctivitis Constipation Coughs Cuts Diarrhea Diverticulosis Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) Ear infections Fainting

Fever Flu Frostbite Gingivitis Grazes Halitosis Hay Fever Headaches Heart palpitations Heartburn Hiccups High blood pressure Influenza Insect bites Insomnia Jetlag Laryngitis Leg cramps Lumbago Mouth ulcers Nausea Neuralgia Nose bleed Pheumonia Shock Sinusitis Sore throat Splinter Styes Swollen ankles Toothache Varicose veins Wounds

Last revised: March 17, 2003