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Aromatherapy: The Historical Background of Aromatherapy
In brief, aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. Although the term aromatherapy was not used until the 20th Century, the foundations of aromatherapy date back thousands of years. The use of essential oils in particular date back nearly one thousand years.
The Chinese may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help create harmony and balance. Later, the Egyptians invented a rudimentary distillation machine that allowed for the crude extraction of cedarwood oil. It is also thought by some that Persia and India may have also invented crude distillation machines, but very little is known.
Oils of cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians to embalm the dead. When a tomb was opened in the early 20th century, traces of the herbs were discovered with intact portions of the body. The scent, although faint, was still apparent. Although the cedarwood the Egyptians used was distilled by a crude distillation process, the other oils the Egyptians used were most likely infused oils.
The Egyptians also used infused oils and herbal preparations for spiritual, medicinal, fragrant and cosmetic use. It is thought that the Egyptians coined the term perfume, from the Latin per fumum, which translates as through the smoke. Egyptian men of the time used fragrance as readily as the women. An interesting method that the men used to fragrance themselves was to place a solid cone of perfume on their heads. It would gradually melt and would cover them in fragrance.
The Greeks learned a great deal from the Egyptians, but Greek mythology apparently credits the gift and knowledge of perfumes to the gods. The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic benefits of plants. Hippocrates, commonly called the "father of medicine" practiced fumigations for both aromatic and medicinal benefit. A Greek perfumer by the name of Megallus created a perfume called megaleion. Megaleion included myrrh in a fatty-oil base and served several purposes: (1) for its aroma, (2) for its anti-inflammatory properties towards the skin and (3) to heal wounds.
The Roman Empire built upon the knowledge of the Egyptians and Greeks. Discorides wrote a book called De Materia Medica that described the properties of approximately 500 plants. It is also reported that Discorides studied distillation. Distillation during this period, however, focused on extracting aromatic floral waters and not essential oils.
A major event for the distillation of essential oils came with the invention of a coiled cooling pipe in the 11th century. Persian by birth, Avicenna invented a coiled pipe which allowed the plant vapor and steam to cool down more effectively than previous distillers that used a straight cooling pipe. Avicenna's contribution lead to more focus on essential oils and their benefits.
Within the 12th century, an Abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties. Within the 13th century, the pharmaceutical industry was born. This event encourages great distillation of essential oils.
During the 14th century, the Black Death hit and killed millions of people. Herbal preparations were used extensively to help fight this terrible killer. It is believed that some perfumers may have avoided the plague by their constant contact with the natural aromatics.
As time progressed, these were more often used. During the 19th century, perfumery remained a prosperous industry. Women would have their jeweler create a special bottle to hold their treasured perfume. The 19th century also was important scientifically as major constituents of essential oils became isolated.
During the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drugs. It had been believed that by separating the major constituents and then using the constituents alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. This actually weakened the use of essential oils for medicinal and aromatic benefit.
From the late 20th century and on into the 21st century, there is a growing resurgence to utilize more natural products including essential oils for therapeutic, cosmetic and aromatic benefit. The use of essential oils never ceased, but the scientific revolution minimized the popularity and use of essential oils in one's everyday life.
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Aromatherapy is no cure for what ails you - Skin and beauty- msnbc.com
One of the most rigorous studies of aromatherapy showed no significant change in heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones or immune function after sniffing two top scents.
Delivering aromatherapy via the Web - Gadgets- msnbc.com
People play games, go shopping and meet dates on the Internet. So why not use the Web to download the perfect mood-enhancing fragrance?
Delivering aromatherapy via the Web - Gadgets - MSNBC.com
People play games, go shopping and meet dates on the Internet. So why not use the Web to download the perfect mood-enhancing fragrance? ... Selling smells via the Internet Japanese ...
Healing herbs: Nature?s medicine (and perfume!) - GreenDAY - MSNBC ...
The pure essences of plants or herbs, essential oils are the backbone of aromatherapy, a healing modality that relies on the power of scent to promote healing.
Rest easy! 5 tips for a better night's sleep - Family and health ...
Aromatherapy Bath and Body Works is head and shoulders above everyone. I have looked into their quality specifications, their products, and what they are trying to do, and I really ...
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aromatherapy - Google News
aromatherapy - Google News
Aromatherapy Bath Product: Great Blends and Ideas for the Optimal ... - Best ...
Best Syndication
Aromatherapy Bath Product: Great Blends and Ideas for the Optimal ...
Best Syndication, CA - Aug 18, 2008
You could go to a store and buy an aromatherapy bath product, or you could make your own at home. Herbal and aromatic baths are an ancient tradition, ...
Aromatherapy a sweet business - Arizona Daily Star
Aromatherapy a sweet business
Arizona Daily Star, AZ - Aug 16, 2008
By Jennifer Sterba Sonia Rodriguez didn't let a debilitating illness keep her from opening her own store and sharing her passion for aromatherapy with the ...
How to look fabulous when you fly - Mirror.co.uk
How to look fabulous when you fly
Mirror.co.uk, UK - 22 hours ago
Overcome jet-lag by rubbing the Tisser and Aromatherapy Travel Ease Roller ball, £4.50, from Waitrose, on your wrists. The aroma of its organic essential ...
Major Relief for Migraines and Other Common Ailments Introduced by ... - PR.c...
Major Relief for Migraines and Other Common Ailments Introduced by ...
PR.com (press release), NY - Aug 18, 2008
This unique Dry Personal AromaTherapy System can often bring relief in seconds from a single puff! ?While Aromatherapy has been used for centuries in ...
Study: Aromatherapy massage with music reduces anxiety in nurses - Chiropract...
Study: Aromatherapy massage with music reduces anxiety in nurses
Chiropractic Economics, FL - Aug 13, 2008
A study published in the September issue of Journal of Clinical Nursing says aromatherapy massage with music can help reduce anxiety levels in emergency ...
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Yahoo! News Search Results for aromatherapy
Yahoo! News Search Results for aromatherapy
Major Relief for Migraines and Other Common Ailments Introduced by New York C...
New York College of Health Professions, a premier undergraduate and graduate College of Holistic Health, has developed and released a proprietary line of personal AromaTherapy products that has had a remarkable effect on many patients suffering from Migraine Headaches and other common ailments. [PR.com - August 18, 2008]
Beautorium Keeps Getting Greener and Greener (PR.com)
From anti-aging to pregnancy and baby, from body care to hair care, from aromatherapy to makeup, Beautorium is a luxury of ?green? solutions for modern skin care and beauty needs. The beauty doesn?t stop there. Get ready for three more cult beauty brands to join the mix: Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics, John Masters Organics and Weleda. Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics Hailing all the way from ...
Aromatherapy a sweet business (Arizona Daily Star)
Sonia Rodriguez didn't let a debilitating illness keep her from opening her own store and sharing her passion for aromatherapy with the community.
Want to Relax? Try Pure Lavender Essential Oil (Carteret County News-Times)
(ARA) - It seems that lavender, or the scent of it, is everywhere - candles, hand lotions, shampoo, bath gel, air freshener, even laundry detergent. It's the most widely used and best-selling essential oil. Why is lavender so popular?
Dogs get special treatment, training at Brother of the Wolf (Courier-Post)
Training canine companions may be a vocation for some, but it's an art form for Dawn Watson.
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