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 The Story Of
AromatherapyAromatherapy is a continuation of thousands of years' worth of study and application of essential oils from plants. It is linked to herbal medicine, Bach flower remedies, and homeopathy.Medicine from plants (phytotherapy) has been used in several countries all over the world. Cave paintings in France, writings in China, religious ceremonies in Egypt, and Ayurvedic medicine in India all record use of herbs, waxes and oils. In Egypt, the practice of mummification of the dead included bandages soaked with frankincense and cedarwood. These were grown in the Nile valley, known as the 'Cradle of Medicine'. In the Biblical exodus of the Jews from Egypt, holy oil was used for priesthood anointings - an oil which included myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. Many are familiar with the nature of the gifts given to Jesus at his birth - as well as gold, there was also frankincense and myrrh. Hippocrates, also known as the 'Father of Medicine', is known to have been on the Greek island of Cos - and recorded the uses and effects of some 300 plants. Roman culture not only used herbs and oils for medicinal purposes, but also used them in perfumes, massages, after baths, and in beds. When the Roman Empire fell, many physicians who were expert in the uses of these oils fled to Constantinople, and their knowledge spread into the Arab world. One of the most popular scents was of the rose, and this popularity travelled to Europe with the Crusaders. Those living in England found that many of the 'recipes' were unavailable to them, as the cold climate would not support the growth of certain plants. Thus began the introduction of lavender, sage and rosemary. Physicians during the Great Plague (Black Death) used bouquets of medicinal plants to ward off infection - some wore large cones containing these plants over their faces. This explains the children's nursery rhyme: "Ring-a-ring-a-roses, a pocket full of posies, a-tishoo, a-tishoo, we all fall down." One of the earliest symptoms of The Plague was sneezing. Although we think of alchemy as solely for the purpose of turning base metal into gold, it had in fact as its purpose 'turning' plants into medicine. Three hundred years later, in the 1800s, technology had advanced enough to produce artificial copies of some of the elements of essential oils. Orthodox drugs had their beginnings in this technology and, because levels could be guaranteed, drug companies preferred this method of producing medicine. Although these drugs can be excellent, they also produce side-effects, mostly unwanted, and usually treat the symptoms being experienced. Aromatherapy aims to treat the cause and return the sufferer to good health. Current thinking is beginning to return to 'natural' forms of drug therapy, as side-effects become more distasteful. Indeed, this recent joke sums this up: "Doctor, I have an ear ache." 2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root." 1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer." 1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion." 1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill." 1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic." 2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"I studied at the Bath School of Aromatherapy and received my Diploma of Aromatherapy in 1996. God gave us the herbs of the earth for our use, and I can testify that aromatherapy is an excellent use of some of His gifts. By clicking here you can read an essay about aromatherapy and epilepsy which I wrote when qualifying. For further information on aromatherapy itself, please visit
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