A bit of Aromatherapy History

History of Aromatherapy

·      Aromatics and Ancient Egyptian Culture

Egyptian hieroglyphic records clearly document the use of aromatic medicine among the ancient Egyptian Culture.  The evidence of the use of herbs in the way of aromatic barks, resins, perfumed oils; wines and vinegar's have been found dating back to 4500 BC. Egyptian priests assumed the role of alchemist and doctor utilizing aromatic substances for medicinal healing. Tutankhamen's tomb dated to 1350 BC (opened in 1922 AD) consisted of pots that contained traces of frankincense, myrrh and a variety of spikenard.  During the reign of Pharaoh Khufu 2800 BC, writings recorded plant material being steeped in oil or wine as well as burned as incense.  Essential oils were extracted by method of steeping of plant material in oil and then squeezing the oil through a linen bag rendering herbal aromatics for healing; these days know as an herbal oil infusion. 

·      The First Distillation

Alchemist Avicenna, a Persian polymath distilled the oil of Rosa centifolia between 980-1037 AC.  He didn’t discover the distillation process, but rather refined the process that had been developed over about 100 years.  Avicenna produced the first steam-distilled essential oil and penned over 100 books on his work.  Two of his most famous writings were “The book of Healing” and “Cannon of Medicine”, the latter mentioned being a medieval University textbook and still in distribution today.

Polymath - a Greek term for a Renaissance Man or Women; 14^th thru 17^th century term; a person whose expertise spanned a significant number of different subject areas; a knowledgeable person excelling in the arts and sciences.

Rosa centifolia - Provence rose or cabbage rose, a hybrid rose of the 17^th century time period and earlier.

·      Essential oils and Medicine

In the 19^th century the use of essential oils used in medicine declined as the medical profession became enamored with chemical and synthetic medicines.  However when tuberculosis became prevalent in occurrence in Europe, essential oils regained the attention of the medical profession once more.  They noticed a very low incidence of tuberculosis in the flower growing districts of France.  Workers involved in the processing of flowers and herbs suffered no respiratory ailments.

Scientists discovered microorganisms in the early 1880’s and in 1887 the first recorded laboratory test were performed on the antibacterial properties of essential oils.  The observation of these studies conducted were published in France over the next year, they found that the microorganisms of glandular and yellow fever were easily killed by essential oils.  Some of the essential oils studied were Oregano, Chinese Cinnamon, Angelica and Geranium. 

 

·      Rene-Maurice Gattefosse - The Father Of Modern Aromatherapy

Rene-Maurice Gattefosse was a French chemist, and our forefather in modern Aromatherapy.  Gattefosse (1881-1950) was born into one of France’s most important chemical and perfumery families.  Gattefosse wrote several books on essential oils citing cures for skin cancer, facial ulcers, gangrene and Black Widow Spider Bites.  Gattefosse is credited with coining the term “Aromatherapie” (Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles Hormones Végétales) the title of one of his books published in 1928, later translated into English engaging the attention of a wider public.  We now know it as “Gattefosse's Aromatherapy written by Rene-Maurice and edited by Robert B. Tisserand”.  Gattefosse believed in and promoted the use of the essential oils in their complete and unadulterated form, discouraging the fragmentation of the oils in search of their 'active ingredients'.  

It was in 1910 when Rene-Maurice Gattefosse had a terrible lab accident, badly burning his hand during an experiment in the perfumery plant.  In his book, Aromatherapy, he wrote: "Just one rinse with lavender essence stopped 'the gasification of the tissue.' This treatment was followed by profuse sweating, and healing began the next day.'" He was later amazed at how quickly his burn healed and with very little scarring.

This started a fascination with essential oils and inspired him to experiment with them during the First World War on soldiers in the military hospitals. He used oils of lavender, thyme, lemon and clove for their antiseptic properties. Gattefosse noted an increase in the rate of healing in wounds treated with essential oils and that the oils seemed to be free from the disadvantages present with other antiseptic agents in use at that time. 

Gattefosse understood the essences through personal experience and knowledgeable experimental studies.  He knew that essential oils possessed antiseptic, anti bacterial, anti toxic, and antiviral properties and contained powerful vitalizing actions.   “Essential oils have undeniable healing power and extensive therapeutic properties”, Thank you Rene-Maurice!

Cosmic Essential oils, Robin :)