Aromatherapy

The use of Aromatherapy to address physical and mental conditions is a practice that dates back to the early days of human history and has remained in our repertoire of healing therapies throughout. It is the art of using the "essential oil" extracted from a plant to enhance health and beauty and is often used in conjunction with Therapeutic Massage. Aromatic oils can also be diffused through the air, added to a bath or just plain sniffed.
Although there is some evidence the Chinese may have used aromatic plants for well-being, the Egyptians invented a rudimentary distillation machine to extract the oil of cedarwood. Oils of cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and myrrh were used by the Egyptians in their embalming practices, and when tombs were opened in the early 20th century, traces of the herbs were discovered and their scent, although faint, was still apparent. The Egyptians also used infused oils and herbal preparations for spiritual, medicinal, fragrant and cosmetic purposes. The Greeks also recognized the medicinal and aromatic benefits of plants, and Hippocrates, commonly referred to as the "father" of modern medicine, practiced fumigations for both aromatic and medicinal benefit. During the 12th century, an abbess of Germany named Hildegard grew and distilled lavender for its medicinal properties, and during the 14th century, as the plague swept across Europe, herbal preparations were used extensively. It is believed that some perfumers may have avoided becoming ill because of their constant contact with the natural aromatics.
By the 20th century, the knowledge of separating the constituents of essential oils was used to create synthetic chemicals and drops. It was believed that separating the major constituents and then using these alone or in synthetic form would be beneficial therapeutically and economically. These discoveries helped lead to "modern medicine" and synthetic fragrances. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse is credited with coining the term "aromatherapy" in 1928 when he wrote an article that supports the use of essential oils in their whole form rather than breaking them down into their primary constituents. Jean Valnet is best remembered for his work using essential oils to treat soldiers injured during the war, and Robert B. Tisserand is an English aromatherapist who was one of the first individuals to bring knowledge and education of aromatherapy to English-speaking nations. Today, there is a growing resurgence to utilize natural products including essential oils for therapeutic, cosmetic, fragrant and aromatic benefit as heightened awareness regarding the use of synthetics has refueled the use of essential oils.
Therapeutic grade essential oils benefit the physical conditions that we choose to use them for, and they can also have a profoundly subtle rejuvenating effect on the mind and emotions. Any kind of synthetic counterpart will lack the whole and synergistic elements and vital life-force of the essential oils. The oils are extracted from flowers, herbs, spices and woods, usually by distillation, and have a long history of medicinal use. Whether learning to use the therapeutic grade essential oils in everyday life or adding them to a massage to create a truly fabulous experience, their use is pure pleasure.