Kerry Wright

Aromatherapy History

Although the term aromatherapy was not used until the 20th century, aromatherapy has been used for thousands of years. Records from the east indicate that aromatherapy was employed as long as 5000 years ago. In ancient Egypt aromatic waters and resins were used in ceremonies and rituals. Ayurvedic medical texts show that the Indian society was using aromatic essences in many treatments. The Greeks and Romans developed the use of aromatherapy essences in rituals and religious ceremonies and records indicate an increasing awareness of their therapeutic properties.

The antiseptic properties of essential oils became obvious with the apparent immunity from plague and cholera for the many perfumers during the Middle Ages, and by the late 17th century the use of oils were being used in medicine. During the 19th century, scientific experiments into the anti-bacterial properties of plants began to clarify the chemical compositions and the potential healing powers of essential oil molecules. World War II saw essential oils being used in the treatment of soldiers' wounds by Dr Jean Valnet.

Research by universities worldwide has given us a much deeper knowledge of essential oils and an increasing awareness of their strengths.