You might be surprised to see that the history of aromatherapy might date back to more than 4000 years. It was found that the earliest record on aromatherapy was in 2650 BC. It is found that a book called “The Art of Aromatherapy” was written by Tisserand.
There are sources that indicate that Egyptians used oils extracted from plants as early as six thousand years ago. The Egyptians were found to use this oil for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. They used it in bath, to create perfumes and embalmed. The history of aromatherapy also indicates that it was used for beautifying and cleansing also.
The Europeans get the credit for the oils and perfumes when trade routes began. The knowledge of Greeks on oils was transferred to the Romans and the Romans perfected the use of these essential oils to make Rome the bath capital.
Realizing the Healing Properties
The history of aromatherapy indicates about the healing properties and their effect on the immune system during the plague in Europe in the middle ages. Only during the 19th century the scientists began research on the healing properties of these essential oils.
Rene Maurice Gattefosse is the person who gets credit for the term aromatherapy. He has written about the use of essential oils for its anti-bacterial property. People turned towards the history of aromatherapy only after the French Biochemist Madame Margaret Maury suggested massage using essential oils for healing.
In the 1980’s the history of aromatherapy included California in it as many health stores introduced a wide range of essential oils and related products. Massage therapists, psychologists and chiropractors have incorporated essential oils in their practice upon reading the history of aromatherapy.
There are no licensing standards in USA for aroma therapists. In Europe there are licensing procedures and there is a need of prescriptions if a person is to take oral doses of essential oils. Aroma therapists in USA are working together to get these procedures legally. They also believe that a person practicing aromatherapy should have knowledge in chemistry, botany, and physiology. They should not just rub the oil on a person.
Although the history of aromatherapy is dated back many centuries people are slow to recognize the benefits of aromatherapy and to adopt it in their lifestyle. Aroma therapists believe that the licensing standards if incorporated would increase the awareness among people to come for aromatherapy treatment.