| Aromatherapy has become very popular over the | | | | Aromatherapy was also used for both cosmetic |
| past few years, serving as a means of relaxation and | | | | reasons and for embalming. During this time, certain |
| relief. Comprised of a blend of a variety of essential | | | | plants were used for specific conditions, whereas |
| oils and massage oils, it is widely used throughout the | | | | others were used for religious purposes. Some were |
| world to help calm and rejuvenate the entire body. | | | | even believed to have the power to raise the level |
| That is why it is also known as health for the body, | | | | of consciousness or promote a state of tranquility. |
| mind, and spirit. | | | | The Egyptians understood the uses and benefits of |
| The term Aromatherapy comes from two words: | | | | Aromatherapy and incorporated it into their cooking |
| 'aroma', meaning fragrance, and 'therapy', meaning | | | | as well. Here, specific herbs were used to help the |
| treatment. It is a healing art based on nature and is | | | | digestive process while others protected against |
| said to be very successful in effecting the body, | | | | infection and helped build the immune system. After |
| mind, and spirit. Increasingly used in society today, | | | | bathing, the Egyptians believed in being massaged |
| Aromatherapy is a fast growing therapy in holistic | | | | with fragrant oils. |
| medicine. Even as far back as 18,000 b.c., flowers and | | | | It is also believed that there is a strong possibility |
| plants were used for healing, relaxing, and energizing | | | | that the Chinese were using some form of aromatics |
| the body. Aromatherapy was used by three of the | | | | at the same time as the Egyptians. The Shen Nung's |
| most ancient civilizations: Egypt, China, and India, and | | | | Herbal book is the oldest surviving medical book in |
| is reputed to be at least 6,000 years old. | | | | China and is dated about 2700 B.C. and contains |
| Aromatherapy, as we know it today, began with the | | | | information on over 300 different plants and herbs. |
| Egyptians who used the method of infusion to | | | | The Chinese used aromatic herbs and burned |
| extract the oils from aromatic plants to be used for | | | | aromatic woods and incense as a way of showing |
| healing purposes. In additional to medicinal uses, | | | | respect to God. |