The History and Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic inhalation of the natural fragrance from volatile plant oils, essential oils, infused oils, and herbal preparations, and is one of the ways those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia can use natural fragrances to enhance their well-being. Some mistakenly think that aromatherapy is simply a carry-over hippy practice of burning incense that’s been wrapped up in a new name. But, while the term aromatherapy is new, the practice has been around for thousands of years.

Many believe the Chinese, through their practice of burning incense, was the first culture to use aroma to induce a feeling of psychological and physical well-being, harmony, and balance. The early Egyptians, and perhaps those in Persia and India as well, used a type of rudimentary distillation machine to extract cedarwood oil.

Egyptians used oils from cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, myrrh, nutmeg, and various herbs when they embalmed the dead. The Egyptians didn’t limit use of those and other fragrant preparations to embalming, however. During this time when the distillation primarily focused on extracting aromatic floral waters rather than essential oils, the Egyptians were able to create infused oils and other herbal preparations that were used for body fragrance and cosmetics, and medicinal and spiritual use.

The Greeks, who credited the knowledge of perfume as a gift from the gods, recognized the aromatic and medicinal benefits of plants. Hippocrates, often referred to as the “father of medicine,” used fumigation — the practice of employing smoke or fumes to exterminate or disinfect. This is relevant because it is believed that the Egyptians (who many acknowledge as the ones who imparted their knowledge of perfumes to the Greeks) came up with the term perfume, from the Latin per fumum which translates “as through the smoke.”

An early Greek perfume called megaleion included myrrh in a fatty-oil base and was used for its aroma, its anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to help heal wounds. During the age of the Roman Empire, De Materia Medica written by Discorides describes the medicinal and other properties of approximately 500 plants.

Throughout history, men have used fragrance as often as have women. The ability to better distill essential oils came about in the 11th century due to the invention of the coiled cooling pipe distillation process; however, it took until the 13th century for what could be considered a pharmaceutical industry to occur. It is speculated that perfumers’ who were in constant contact with natural aromatics enabled them to avoid the Black Death that killed so many in the 14th century. By the 16th century, essential oils were available from apothecaries established for that purpose.

The 20th century ability to distinguish the components of essential oils in order to create synthetic chemical equivalents now causes problems for a small segment of the population. For therapeutic aromatherapy to be effective — and without risk to those who deal with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Environmental Illness (EI) that is often associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia, it is important to distinguish the difference between natural essences like essential oil and synthetic fragrances and perfumes that are often derived from a petroleum base.

BOOKS ABOUT AROMATHERAPY:

375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols
by Jeanne Rose

Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy
by Kurt Schnaubelt

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
by Valerie Ann Worwood

Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy
by Suzanne Catty

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism
by Julia Lawless

Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils
by Kurt Schnaubelt

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3. Do Your Allergies a Favor: Do NOT Make Your Bed
4. Garlic: One of 10 Natural Remedies That Can Save Your Life
5. What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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