It’s been at least 2400 years Aromatic plants have always been used for their scent, beauty and healing the body. Due to their antibacterial properties they also have a major role in food preservation.
Herbal physicians knew their great value and used them to help heal their patients. Hippocrates, the father medicine, recommended anise to clear congestion in the breathing passages, rose flowers for urine problems and mint as a rejuvinitive.
In ancient Egypt the use of fragrant oils was evidence of great health and high societal standings. The Romans bathed in their bodies, their homes and practically everything in lavish perfumes. The extraction process began in Egypt by heating the plants in clay pots. Centuries later a Greek alchemists invented the distillation process, which aided further use of the essences for religious and therapeutic purposes.
Avicenna, an Arabic physician around A.D. 1000 perfected the extraction method and introduced the cooling system, creating the most potent essences with stronger fragrances.
In the early 1920s, while working in the labratotory, French Rene-Maurice Gattefosse burned his hand and immediately immersed his hand in the nearest contained which happened to be a lavender oil. He realized the oils lessens the inflammation, redness and blistering was reduced. Gatterfosse there after dedicated his life to the study of the healing properties of essential oilseed coined the term "aromatherapy" in 1928.
The use of essential oils today is becoming more widespread as more individuals become more aware of the benefits of the oils. Some oils have instantaneous results that are easily recognizable, while others work at a slower rate. To fully understand the oils and appreciate their properties its best to use them over time and continually.
Check out our selection of essential oils which are sourced from the best oil companies.
