Aromatherapy – the past, the present, the future. Our ancestors used aromatic substances lavishly and in all facets of their lives. Records dating back to antiquity tell of performed oils, scented barks and resins, of spices, and aromatic waters all used medicine, ritual, astrology and embalming.
In the past it must have been a case of trial and error because early man did not have modern science to validate and classify the oils and their effect on the body. It was in fact Gattefosse in 1937 who coined the term “Aromatherapy”. He explained at length the properties of essential oils and their methods of application, with examples of their antiseptic, bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. He discovered the healing properties of essential oils after he burned his hand in his chemistry lab and healed it remarkably quickly by using Lavender.
Today, we continue to use and enjoy the healing benefits of nature’s oils with modern day insight and scientific understanding of their therapeutic effects. Scientific research has validated what our ancestors carried out intuitively. The result is that in the 21st century oils are used in every area of our lives. Pure essential oils are used in hospitals to promote healing, they are used in workplace to increase productivity and in the home to create ambience and address minor ailments.
