Aromatherapy - Ancient Knowledge
in a Modern Dress
Plants and their diverse healing properties have played an important role since time immemorial. Even if aromatherapy has only been called that since the 20th century, the basics are thousands of years old and thus the oldest healing method known to mankind. Aromatherapy is the internal and external use of plant extracts, essences and essential oils to increase well-being or to heal various ailments in the physical (physical) and psychological (spiritual) areas.
The "Middle Kingdom" as China calls itself, is one of the oldest civilizations that knows how to use the power of plants to its advantage. The use of essential oils in medicine is a matter of course because of their religious outlook, which is based very much on harmony between body and mind. Whether used internally, externally or as a fragrance, essential oils are still very popular today. The Occident is also responsible for the renewed interest in natural healing methods in modern western industrialized countries. The process of distillation was also used in Persia and India. The essences obtained in this way were used as room fragrances, body fragrances, for medical purposes or in the kitchen to flavor various desserts and drinks. Eth. Rose / orange and jasmine oil, as well as frankincense, styrax, myrtle and much more. have been an important trade item with Europe since the existence of the Silk and Amber Road.
Egyptians associated spirituality with the scents of aromatic medicinal plants. For this reason, particular emphasis was placed on exquisite fragrances and incense in temples. The majority of essential oils such as cedar wood, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used for embalming, i.e. preserving the deceased. At the beginning of the 20th century, herbs and resins used on mummies and sarcophagi could be identified. Traces of various scented essences were also found in vessels that were used as grave goods. The scent, if only faint, was still noticeable. Pharaohs in particular perfumed themselves with the most precious oils to underline their divinity. Perfumed scent cones made of wax and fats were placed on the wigs so that they melt in the warmth. These not only gave off scents but also kept vermin away thanks to the fragrance composition. They also knew how to use the medical benefits effectively. Initially, most of the goods were imported by camel caravans from different parts of Africa and the Far East. In later times, a simple distillation device was developed that was mainly used to extract cedarwood oil. Cedar wood was one of the most popular fragrances in ancient Egypt. The term perfume is said to have been derived from Latin by the Egyptians.
The ancient Greeks learned and developed a lot from the Egyptians. They recognized more and more the medicinal and aromatic effects of plants. Hippocrates, "the father of medicine", was an advocate of essential oils for medicinal use. Pedanios Dioskurides, a Greek / Roman doctor in the 1st century.n. Christi, dealt intensively in the first book of his medical treatise "Materia medica - About remedies" with the use and properties of known and unknown aromatic herbs, spices, oils, ointments, vegetable juices, gums, resins and fruits of trees and bushes. For a long time, this work was one of the most important handbooks of plant medicine in both the Occident and the Orient. It was not until the modern knowledge of the 18th and 19th centuries that this knowledge was displaced.
Due to their conquests, the ancient Roman Empire was able to build on the extensive knowledge and far-reaching trade relationships of both high cultures.For the Roman people, above all the "better society" and the nobility, fragrances were important.Incense had a prominent place in religious ceremonies. Should these, however, put the often very capricious panhteon of the gods mild. Therefore, fragrances of all kinds have been used in many ways. As in the Orient as a perfume, bath additive, massage oil and room fragrance. In Latin these wonderfully fragrant distillates were called "per fumum - through smoke" and were partly weighed in gold. For example amber, which was obtained from the Germanic and Gallic peoples and was therefore very popular with women. Another "precious" fragrance for women at that time were essential oils mixed with gladiator sweat. Thesewere considered to be aphrotic and difficult to obtain. The extensive health benefits of various plants and resins, mostly used as incense, were also of essential importance for the Celtic, Gallic and Germanic tribes. It is not certain whether you were aware of the production of essential oils by distillation. But essential oils and plant extracts had already been spread through the trade routes already mentioned. Not least because of the lively exchange with Rome. The amber they used as fuel was weighed against gold by the Romans and was therefore a valuable commodity.
The 11th century marks a milestone in the history of aromatherapy. At this time, an important tool in the art of distillation, the pipe snake, was invented in Persia. This made it possible to work more effectively and to extract higher quality essential oils.
Hildegard von Bingen, an abbess with medicinal and botanical knowledge in the 12th century, distilled essential oils such as lavender, blue chamomile, valerian, rose and many more.to use them for medical purposes.Your valuable insights have been preserved to this day in extensive written records.
In the 13th Essential oils were produced in large quantities for the first time due to the technical improvements. However, this upswing was suddenly interrupted by the outbreak of various diseases and epidemics.
During the 14th century, among other epidemics, the plague raged in large parts of Europe, from which hundreds of thousands of people died. Whole areas were depopulated. Much effort has been made to halt this devastating disease. Doctors and charlatans tried to find a cure. Various plant extracts and essential oils were also used. On the one hand as a disinfectant on the other hand to alleviate the symptoms or for the hoped-for healing. According to tradition, Nostradamus, a famous doctor and diviner from Italy, used beads made of rose petals soaked with an essential oil mixture, which he put under the patient's tongue and is said to have achieved some success with it.
With the discovery of America in the 15th century, the list of medicinal plants and thus also of essential oils was not insignificantly expanded. One of the most important scholars, alchemists and physicians in the field of herbal medicine was Paracelsus. The famous Swiss founded the beginnings of today's homeopathic and healing practice teachings with his extensive research. His motto is known to everyone: "There is a herb against every suffering!".
At the beginning of the 16th century, the production of high-quality plant essences became increasingly important as a raw material for perfumes, soaps and scented waters. At this time, perfume making became an art form. Grasse in France in particular has developed into a stronghold of perfume production and has retained this position to this day.
The expansion of trade with China and the Orient as well as the discovery of Australia during the 17th century. supplied many new fragrances to develop ever more delicate fragrance creations. This was supported above all by Louis XIV King of France, a great fine spirit. Patrick Süsskind's novel "Perfume" is set in France at the time.
During the transition to the 18th century. Pharmacies took over more and more the distribution of essential oils in the health sector while the perfume production remained in the hands of the perfumers.
At the beginning of the 19th century and during the 20th century, i.e. in the age of industrialization, natural plant substances lost more and more of their importance in many areas. Due to the achievements of modern chemistry, they fell behind more and more. The knowledge of molecular biology about the composition of natural substances in connection with the successful research to produce them artificially was celebrated worldwide as a great achievement. Artificially imitated ingredients and active ingredients found their way into daily life. Perfume and other fragrances made from these substances, mass-produced in chemical laboratories, conquered the markets because of their low price. This development did not even stop at medicine. Natural remedies that had previously been valued as valuable for millennia were ridiculed and vilified as humbug and ineffective.
But the time of these "errors of mankind" is also coming to an end. After many years in which the pharmaceutical industry was overwhelmed with its artificial preparations, the industrialized nations in particular have recognized that artificial cannot be equated with natural and are gradually turning back to nature and thus the long-lacked harmony with it. The effect of natural healing methods has meanwhile been scientifically proven in numerous studies in modern times. Among other things, the effect of essential oils on the hormonal balance, the cells and as disinfectants such as eucalyptus or tea tree. This is mainly thanks to René-Maurice Gattefossé, a chemist and perfumer. He discovered and revived the knowledge of the healing power of essential oils and thus became the founder of modern aromatherapy. In 1964, Dr. Jean Valnet used his knowledge based on Gattefossé's knowledge as aromatherapy.
Further lexicon entries on the subject of pure natural essential oils:
- Overview of pure essential citrus oils -
- Overview of pure essential wood oils -
- Overview of pure essential mint oils -
- Overview of pure essential softwood oils -
!!!Coming soon!!!
The information contained here was compiled by me to the best of my knowledge and belief. Since nobody is free of errors, it is advisable to do your own research on this topic.
Natural remedies do not replace a doctor!
All contents without guarantee, subject to change !!!