Aromatherapy, which involves the use of essential oils to treat various ailments, has been used by healers for thousands of years. Although its origins are difficult to trace, the use of aromatherapy goes back at least 4,000 years, possibly beginning with the ancient Egyptians, who were known to have used aromatic botanicals in many different ways. The Egyptians used a number of herbs and spices for soothing massage, medicine, cosmetics, and even in their embalming practices. Centuries later, it was Hippocrates who may have been the first high-profile advocate of aromatherapy. More than 2,000 years ago, the creator of the physician’s creed that bears his name was an outspoken believer in the benefits of aromatic massage for both physical and emotional well-being.

In the 10th century, the Arabs invented a process of distillation that allowed for more efficient extraction of the essential oils from plants, and for centuries, cultures from every part of the globe have inhaled aromas, drunk potions, and worn aromatic amulets as healing aids and to protect them from harm. By extracting the essential oils from plants and herbs, aromatherapy has been, and continues to be, used to address a wide range of physical and emotional ailments, from headaches to herpes, from dry skin to acne, and from arthritis to asthma.

In modern times, France and England have led the attempt to reintroduce many ancient remedies to the world in the early 1900s, and to help aromatherapy gain greater acceptance in the traditional medical community. France still leads the world in rediscovering modern uses for ancient remedies, and many French doctors routinely prescribe aromatic remedies for their patients. That practice is reinforced by the fact that French pharmacies stock a wide variety of essential oils, and insurance companies are willing to pay for treatments involving ancient healing methods. America currently lags behind the French and English in the use of aromatic medicine, but as more and more people experience the healing properties of aromatherapy, its use will continue to gain popularity in the United States.

Aromatherapy is a holistic science used to treat various conditions. They mainly use plant oils and essential oils for the cure. This is used for improving psychological health as well as physical health. However, the term aromatherapy was not used until the 20th century even though it is an ancient science. It is thousands of years old. People have been using essential oils for curing various ailments for thousands of years. The use of aromatherapy traces back to ancient Chinese culture. The practice involved burning incense sticks so that there is an equal balance of harmony and peace.

The ancient Egyptians used several oils extracted from cedarwood, olive, cinnamon, myrrh and nutmeg to embalm bodies. Most of the oils came from spices and also some flower essence and fruit oils were also used. Some types of oils were known to preserve certain qualities of the skin. The Egyptians studied the characteristics of the oil in depth and they infused different types of oil for various cures. They also invented the perfume. Both ancient Egyptian men and women used perfume. Ancient Greeks make perfumes that were used for health benefits and also as fragrances. All these concepts were deep rooted in aromatherapy.

In the 11th century, with the invention of the coiled cooling pipe, aromatherapy revolutionized. This invention allowed extraction of many essential oils from plants that were deemed beneficial for body and mind. Essential oils became more popular in the 13th century when the pharmaceutical industry came into being. During the 14th century, when Black Death was rampant, many herbal preparations were used widely to combat the plaque. It is believed that some people who made perfumes actually avoided death by plaque because they were in constant contact with oils.

In the 19th century, important discovery was made about the various compounds found in many essential oils. At the same time, the perfume industry was booming and perfumes and fragrances were in high demand. In the 20th century, the compounds from essential oils were used to manufacture various drugs and synthetic chemicals. However, this had a negative impact on the aromatic benefits of essential oils because modern medicine was prospering. However, in the late 20th century and the 21st century, people started realizing the importance of essential oils and their aromatic benefits. Today, aromatherapy has witnessed resurgence as there are many books and resources available on the Internet to spread the word.