| Ancient people greatly depended on their | | | | For instance, volatile oils derived from particular |
| surroundings for everything that they needed. They | | | | flowers were stimulating, while others were relaxing. |
| had to make the most of what they had; that's why | | | | The Greeks also used base or carrier oils, in the form |
| they discovered techniques of using plants for | | | | of olive oil, for herbs and flowers; therefore led to |
| treating ailments and preserving life. That is how | | | | their use for several cosmetic and medicinal purposes. |
| aromatherapy began - one of the oldest methods of | | | | In turn, the Romans learned from the knowledge of |
| holistic healing. | | | | the Greeks. They became popular in the past for |
| Closely associated with what we've today, the | | | | scented baths, followed by massage using scented |
| practice of using oils from aromatic plants began with | | | | oils. As a result of the interest in aromatics to them, |
| the Egyptians. They developed a way of extracting | | | | it paved the direction to the assembling of trade |
| oils from plants through an infusion process. These | | | | routes. These trade routes allowed the Romans to |
| oils served various purposes to them in the past, as | | | | import exotic oils and spices to lands like India and |
| a significant part of medicinal healing, make up, as well | | | | Arabia. |
| as embalming. | | | | The Middle Ages yielded tons of studies on herbs and |
| At the same time in a few other place of the world, | | | | their advantages. One such book that was written |
| the Chinese were also using different herbs and their | | | | previously, called Culpeper's herbal, is still being |
| scents for lots of applications. According to a herbal | | | | consulted up to today. |
| book dating back to around 2700 BC, ancient Chinese | | | | In the 11th century, a Persian physician named |
| were using more than 300 different kinds of plants. | | | | Avicenna invented a distillation equipment and |
| Aromatics in China were used for both religious and | | | | process, which led to the focus of further growth of |
| therapeutic purposes. The Chinese burned woods and | | | | aromatic oils and their many advantages. This |
| incense during religious ceremonies - a ritual still | | | | knowledge spread to the other areas of the world |
| apparent today. Also, the use of aromatics was also | | | | through invading forces. |
| connected with ancient modes of treatment, like | | | | Aromatic oils were then being produced in Germany, |
| massage and acupressure. | | | | distilled from herbs brought from parts of Africa and |
| In India, people were already practicing a conventional | | | | the Far East. When the Conquistadors invaded South |
| system of healing called Ayurveda. Originating there | | | | the US, more and more aromatic plants were found. |
| for around 5000 years now, it emphasizes arranging a | | | | The wide variety of plants located in the garden of |
| balance in your body through correct diet, way of | | | | Montezuma provided the foundation for further |
| life, cleansing, and the health of the mind, body and | | | | treatments and treatments using plant extracts. |
| spirit. It employs cleansing, removal of toxins and the | | | | Although aromatic plants had been used throughout |
| application of herbs like triphala, ashwaghanda, gotu | | | | the world for lots of years already, it was only in the |
| kola and bosweilla. | | | | 19th century that scientists in Europe did researches |
| The knowledge of the Egyptians got to the country | | | | on the beneficial effects of scents on humans. |
| the Greeks, which they used further to develop | | | | Aromatherapy was coined by French pharmacist |
| more discoveries. They learned that different scents | | | | Rene Maurice Gattefosse, and published a manuscript |
| had different issues with the human body and mind. | | | | on the outcomes of essential oils in 1937. |