Nature's Gift

May 4, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Apr 20, 2022

Ancient Art of Aromatherapy

Personally, essential oils have really enhanced my daily life just for the main reasons mentioned at the end, each individual oil has different scientific benefits including being mood enhancers (one of my favourites) Jasmine oil for obvious reasons, even some can be used to create a calming ambience in the home as well an aphrodisiac.

In the start of this series we will be learning the history of the Ancient Art of Aromatherapy.

History of the Oils

It was the Chinese who discovered the medicinal powers of plants back in 4500bc, but it was the Egyptians who fully exploited the spiritual and physical properties of these essences.

Back then, the main use was for the dead, until a good 1500 years later, Priests had got there hands on this and also used it for preservation but later discovered how it could be used for the living. They done there upmost to guard these secrets of the powers of these essences, they were known as the healers of their time which at that time they prescribed these "magical" medicinal potions to the public.

Over time their "secret" got out through all levels of society and then was used for perfume and cosmetics. It reached the Ancient Greek time and Romans for baths, rituals, massages

and ceremonies which we know as it was reported from Hippocrates (pictured left at the UIC medical centre). It was through their era they really recognised the sedatives and stimulants. The Ancient Greek's thought an illness was a divine punishment and healing was a gift from the Gods.

Though inevitably after the fall of the Roman Empire it died out throughout Europe. But the Crusaders reintroduced it back into Europe in the 12th century and then it later was being put to good use in World War 2 for healing soldiers mainly because of the French Chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.

Now more than ever after the rise in knowledge in natural healing, it is making a comeback after information is now widely accessible because of social platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Google and so on. Its not a fad but becoming part of our daily lives and will hopefully stick in the future generations.

The benefits of essentials oils are able to enhance your life in every aspect, from physical health and emotional even used as an aphrodisiac, with there natural healing properties & therapeutic powers. Some may call it natures gift to our well being.

Each oil, has at most two of properties mentioned; Stimulating, Uplifting and Relaxing.

My personal favourites (with the properties beside it);

1. Jasmine - R

2. Ylang Ylang - R

3. Lavender - R, U

4. Orange - U

5. Lemon - S

Methods of use for all essential oils:

1. Diffuser

2. Inhaled (only slightly - this isn't glue)

3. Add to hot bowl of water to create an ambient steam - can use on oil burners

4. Massage - should be mixed with a carrier oil like Almond