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History of Aromatherapy
Aromatic oils are said to have been in practice since 6,000 years. Egyptian physician, Imhotep, the then God of Medicine and Healing recommended fragrant oils for bathing and massaging. The Egyptians used myrrh and cedar wood oils for embalming their dead in 4,500 B.C. Discovered by the modern researchers 6,500 years later, the preserved mummies proved that cedar wood possesses natural fixative, strong anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties.
Hippocrates, the Greek Father of Medicine, recommended regular aromatherapy baths and scented massages. Plague was effectively warded from Athhens due to this method adopted.
Romans greatly utilized essential oils for pleasure, curing pain, popular perfumed baths and massages. Emperor Nero who was indulgent in orgies, feasts and fragrances frequently employed roses. His headache and indigestion were cured along with maintaining his high spirits while enjoying amusements..
During London's great plague in 1665, people burnt bundles of lavender, cedar wood and cypress in the streets along with carrying posies of the same plant. This was the only defense adopted by them to combat infectious diseases.
The early twentieth century received wide acceptance for Aromatherapy. Rene- Maurice-Gatte Fosse, a French chemist in 1930s dipped his burnt hand in lavender oil. To his utter surprise he found the wound healing very quickly without any infection or scarring. He engaged himself in considerable research on various oils comprising therapeutic and psychotherapeutic properties.
Essentila oils were extensively used by Dr Jean Volnet, French army surgeon in World War II. Madame Morquerite Murry gave the aromatic oils a holistic approach after experimenting with them for individual problems..
The versatile use of aromatic oils have been discovered by research. Medical research in the recent years has proved that the odors we smell have a significant impact on the way we feel. Similarly like a drug, smell too acts directly on the brain. Smelling lavender increases alpha wave frequency in the back of the head which is associated with relaxation.
Essential oils like spiritual healing (Reiki, Pranic, Magnified), homeopathic, herbal and flower remedies have a life force that vibrate within the body. The benefit exerted from these is too subtle to evaluate. |
