A Brief History of Aromatherapy
For centuries, aromatherapy has been used as a natural, holistic treatment for relieving stress and improving mood. The history of aromatherapy can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Hippocrates, the Roman empire and the Ayurvedic tradition in India.
The first modern use of aromatherapy is believed to have been by a French chemist called René Maurice Gattefossé who experimented with lavender oil following an accident in his laboratory. He realized that lavender oil had a soothing effect on burns which inspired him to try it topically on cuts and burns as an experiment.
In 1953, Gattefossé published "Aromathérapie: les huiles essentielles", his first book about aromatherapy which he wrote with his clinical experience as a pharmacist. In this book he explained how pure essential oils could be used as natural remedies with powerful
History of Aromatherapy in China
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that seeks to treat the patient by using aromatic plant oils, usually in the form of essential oils. Aromatherapy has been used in China since ancient times and was an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. The use of aromatics such as spices and herbs had been practiced on a limited scale for many centuries before the founding of Aromatherapy.
History of Aromachology in Europe
Aromachology has a long and illustrious history in Europe, dating back to the 18th century. In 1774, the physician and chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul published his landmark study "Essai sur la manière dont odorants affectent les plantes" (Treatise on how odorous substances affect plants). In this book, he showed that essential oils could be used for therapeutic purposes and could even heal wounds. He also introduced the term ‘aromathérapie’ which translates to ‘doctoring with smell’.
In 1919, Ernest Daltrey and his wife Maria founded Aromatics: The International Journal of Pure Materia Medica which documented advances in European aromatherapy research.
The Evolution of Essential Oils and their Uses as Medicine
Essential oils have been used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of various ailments for centuries.
The use of essential oils as a medicine is far from a new phenomenon. In fact, it has been a form of healthcare since at least the time of ancient Egypt, and has been used for treating many different illnesses and conditions.
In regards to traditional medicine, essential oils have been utilized in many ways – from disinfecting surgical tools to being ingested as an antiseptic agent for orally administered medicines. For example, thyme oil was one such agent that was used both internally and externally by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Indians alike. Other examples include lavender oil being ingested as a sedative or boiled with other herbs to create herbal teas with therapeutic properties.
Conclusion: Where Is Aromatherapy Going From Here?
The world of Aromatherapy is in a time of transition and change. The future will be ever more focused on research and the development of new products that will vary in effectiveness.
We can expect to see aromatherapy go in many different directions in the future. One direction we can see is that it will move towards an evidence-based practice, such as what we see with the use of needles and surgery. Another direction for aromatherapy lies in its continued development as an alternative therapy, where practitioners use holistic treatments to help patients find inner peace and well-being.