Aromatherapy and Its History

What is Aromatherapy?

--Presented by Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy, Essential Oils and Supplies

    Aromatherapy simply means - the study of scents used in a therapeutic manner. The more detailed definition is the skilled and controlled use of essential oils for emotional and physical health and well-being. The practice of aromatherapy goes beyond smell, though it applies "pure" essential oils and the treatments are believed by many people to have a chemical effect on the body. They can be applied with massage, in the bath, in the air, and in hair care. In Europe and other parts of the world, and few areas in the US, essential oils are taken internally. Essential Oils are used as an Alternative Medicine (we prefer complementary) for health modality. Many oils can be used in Meditation and Yoga and some are used as a preventative medicine, too. Essential oils are used for those with expectations to practise health for their own well -being by using all natural products.

    Recently, some companies claimed that their products are "Aromatherapy A or B or whatever". In this way, they advertise their products such as candles and various bath products.

    Please be aware that this is not THERAPEUTIC AROMATHERAPY!

    What they are advertising are "scents" that undoubtedly will make you feel good but may not be made with 100% Pure Essential Oils but with fragrances of artificial, man-made petroleum base. They do not contain the Pure Plant Essence that has the real, natural, healing properties.

History of Aromatherapy

    The history of aromatherapy goes back thousands of years, although it was not called Aromatherapy until the early 1900's. Aromatic plants and essential oils were used in biblical times. (Think of the gifts brought to the new-born babies.) Plant oils are mentioned several times in the Bible. Cleopatra was also said to use essential oils in her perfumery. Ancient Greeks and Romans used the oils in their medical treatments. The Egyptians used aromatic plant essences to treat both physical and mental health problems. In the East, Chinese and Indian doctors also knew the therapeutic benefits of plant essences. Today's processing techniques and concepts of aromatherapy were created by a French chemist -- Rene-Maurice Gattefosse. It was he who coined the term "aromatherapy". He was convinced that the oils had antiseptic properties - more powerful than the antiseptics which were used at the time (1920's). He also knew that they had other important healing abilities. While conducting an experiment in distillation he burned his hand, which needed to be cooled down. He put his entire hand into a vat of pure lavender essential oil. The pain was gone almost instantly. Over the next few days his burn healed with no blisters, scars or infections. Thereafter, he continued his research of this incredible phenomenon and the use of essential oils for other possible medical uses.