The History of Aromatherapy Starts in Egypt

Nobody knows exactly where and when the healingpotions, pomanders and nosegays, which were
art of aromatherapy began. Nevertheless, it has itssniffed as protection against epidemic and pestilence.
roots in the rites and rituals of earliest mankind. ByThe herbs lavender, sage and rosemary were used
analysis of fossilized pollens found in ancient habitationwidely to scent linen and to protect materials against
and burial sites of early humans, scientists havemoths.
discovered traces of plant that have known medicinalOn 2nd February 1685, Charles II suffered a
properties.convulsion whilst being shaved and collapsed. They
The history or aromatherapy probably started intreated him with mallow leaves, violets, beetroot,
Egypt, where evidence of the widespread use ofcamomile, fennel, linseed, cinnamon, cardamom,
aromatic plant substances was seen in the tombsaffron, aloes, hellebore and cowslips.
paintings of the ancient Egyptians 5000 years ago.They gave him drinks of barley water, liquorice,
Plant substances were used not only for medicinal,sweet almond, wine, absinthe, thistle, mint, rue and
but also for perfumes and cosmetics, in preservationangelica. The treatment continued with slippery elm,
and preparation of food to enhance flavor and aidpeony, lavender, lime flowers, lily of the valley, melon
digestion. They were also used for their anti-bacterialseeds, gentian root, nutmeg, quinine and cloves. Not
and anti-viral properties to stave off illness andsurprisingly, the king died a week later.
epidemic. Some were even found to haveToday, aromatherapists are very aware that "too
contraceptive qualities.much" can be extremely dangerous when considering
The embalming of royal bodies and High Courtthe possible toxic side effects of essential oils
dignitaries involved the removal of the internal organs,incorrectly used in untrained hands.
which they embalmed separately and stored inModern history of aromatherapy begins at the end
canopic jars for later burial in the tomb. The intestinalof the 19th Century, when a French chemist,
cavity was cleaned with palm wine and all hollowProfessor Rene Gattefosse, accidentally discovered
parts of the body were filled with aromatics andthe healing power of lavender essence, when he
spices. The body was dry-salted and left for 70 days.plunged his hand into a bowl of lavender oil after
They then wrapped the body with gummedreceiving a bad burn. The burn healed quickly, without
bandages and prepared it for the funeral processionforming a blister or leaving a scar. He eventually gave
to the tomb.his treatment the name "Aromatherapie".
As the Roman Empire expanded the history ofHis work was later extended by Dr. Jean Valnet, a
aromatherapy continues. The empire's knowledgeFrench physician, who used essential oils to treat
spread widely and probably arrived in Britain with thecancers, tuberculosis, diabetes and other serious
Roman legions. In the 11th Century Arabia, Avicenna,illnesses. He claimed many successes. Marguerite
the famous court physician, recorded his use of overMaury followed him, a French biochemist and
800 plants in his treatments. Historically, he is anbeautician, who further developed massage
important figure in the later development oftechniques and skin-care treatments using essential
Aromatherapy because he used massage andoils. She continued to further develop and work in the
manipulation as part of his treatment. He was alsofield of aromatherapy until she died in 1968 at the
largely responsible for the refining of distillationage of 73. Interest in aromatherapy has continued to
techniques to derive oils from plants.grow and today, rightly, it has a massive following.
Medieval Europe saw use of plants in infusions, pills,