The use of aromatic substances in healing has been with mankind since the beginning of time. There is evidence of the use of plant essences by ancient civilizations of the past. For thousands of years plants have demonstrated their capability as healing agents.
The Chinese were among the first to discover the healing powers of plants. Emperor Chen Nang (c. 2800 BC) wrote a book detailing the use of more than 100 plants, including aniseed and ginger. The book is known as the Yellow Emperor’s Book of Chinese Medicine. 
Herbal medicine was used in combination with acupuncture and massage to treat a variety of ailments. They believed that extracting the oils of a plant liberated its soul. They even went so far as to classify the oils into six divisions, each representing the mood that the oil induced. The divisions were luxurious, tranquil, reclusive, beautiful, noble, and refined. In ancient Egypt, from 4236 BC until 30 BC, the use of aromatic plants went through many modifications. At the beginning, only the pharaoh was close enough to the gods to the use the essences, which were kept by priests. Imhotep, physician to the pharaoh, was famous throughout the ancient world for his wisdom and knowledge of medicine. He obtained his medicines by using aromatic plants. The Ancient Greeks used one word to describe the various aromatic spices, perfumes, and incenses that they used widely. For 1,200 years, the foremost medical book in the western world was one written by Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides. In Rome, those who could afford to would bathe in perfume. In the past, many of the causes of sickness were attributed to evil spirits entering a person. The smoking out of these evil spirits with powerful aromatic herbs was widely used. In the 14th century, a devastating plague swept throughout Europe, killing more than one-third of the population. Fleas living on migrating rats were believed to be the cause. Physicians treating the afflicted wore protective clothing filled with various spices, in
cluding cinnamon and cloves. They also carried pomanders studded with cloves and hung garlic around their necks to protect themselves against contracting the disease. They may have succeeded, as garlic, cinnamon and cloves are today renowned for their antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties. During the Middle Ages, bathing was generally regarded as dangerous. Since the plague was thought to enter the body through the pores of the skin, people avoided public baths and washed their hands and face with aromatic lotions.
Other examples of ancient cultures using some forms of aromatherapy are abounding. Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine, has been practiced for more than 3,000 years and incorporates aromatic massage as one of its main aspects. Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans used aromatic plants and oils in ceremony and in daily life.
The Aztecs specifically were well known for their plant remedies, and an abundance of medicinal plants were found in Moctezuma’s botanical gardens when the Spanish conquerors arrived. North American Indians also used aromatic oils, smudges, and aromatic plant-based remedies.
By the end of the 18th century the use of oils and perfumes as medicinal products had declined, as more was known about synthetic materials. Oils and essences were relegated to the realm of scented toilet waters that were sold for the smell alone, not for therapeutic, healing, mystic, aphrodisiac or ritualistic purposes.
It was not until the 1920’s, when French chemist Rene Gattefossé began to study the powers and properties of essential oils, that the use of plants for medicinal purposes returned on a lar
ge scale. It was Gattefossé who is credited with coining the term ‘aromatherapy.’ One day, he accidentally burned his hand, and as a reflex, threw it into a jar of lavender oil. He found that the pain went away quickly and the burn healed faster than usual. Jean Valnet, a Parisian doctor, discovered Gattefossé’s research and began to experiment with essential oils, while recording his results. Madame Marguerite Maury, an Austrian, also began to study the powers of essential oils. It was M. Maury who introduced the idea of combining essential oils with massage. She did not like administering the oils by the mouth but preferred to dilute them in base oils and massage them into the body. She was inspired by methods used in Tibetan medicine.
Today, we have scientific data to support the claims of the ancients. The powers of many of the oils have been scientifically backed up by research, while others only have the attribution of skilled practitioners. However, until about 50 years ago, almost every manufactured drug had an herbal origin. Only since the advances in chemical technology in the 20th century has the use of herbs diminished, although many drugs still have their origin in plant material.
Before we get into techniques for using the oils let us first take a look at the main chemical components that make up essential oils. The terpenes are a vast group of chemicals with widely varying properties. Common terpenes include limonene (an anti-viral agent found in many citrus oils), and pinene (an antiseptic found in pine and turpentine oils). Esters are the most widespread group found in plant essences. These include linalyl acetate (found in clary sage and lavender), and geranyl acetate (found in sweet marjoram). Aldehydes are found mostly in lemon-scented essences, such as lemongrass and citronella. They have a sedative, though uplifting effect. Ketones are a group you must be cautious with. Some ketones are known to be toxic. They ease congestion and aid the flow of mucus. Some common alcohols are linalool (found in lavender), citronellol (rose, lemon, geranium), and geraniol (geranium). The alcohols tend to have good antiseptic and antiviral properties. Phenols are bactericidal with a strong effect on the central nervous system.
Aromatherapy involves numerous treatments, some more preventive, others more curative; some more mainstream, others more alternative. They range from general hygiene and massage applications to biomedicine (herbal medicine, naturopathy, acupuncture, Western medicine), and, potentially, psychiatry. There is currently no formal practice of “aroma-medicine” or “aroma-psychiatry.” Nevertheless, clinical aromatherapy is gradually becoming accepted by professions such as nursing, naturopathy and acupuncture - especially in European countries.
Essential oils are absorbed into the skin through tiny hair follicles that cover the body. When massaged into the skin the oil stimulates the circulation and gets blood pumping through the body more effectively, allowing the oil to exert its pain-relieving properties. This is why a massage is the best technique for muscular disorders, menstrual and abdominal pains and circulatory disorders. It also feels great!
The other most common way that oils can affect us is through inhalation. The oil enters the nose and moves to the lining of the lungs and is then absorbed into the bloodstream. When inhaled, particularly with steam inhalation, the oils’ absorption into the bloodstream occurs much faster. This technique is ideal for treating respiratory ailments, coughs, colds, sinus problems, and headaches caused by sinus problems.
Massage is one of the oldest and most effective ways to make people ‘feel better.’ Hippocrates, the Greek physician who is known as “The Father of Medicine,” believed that the best way to stay healthy was to have an aromatic massage after taking a bath. A massage encourages the body to heal itself and restores balance to all the cells, tissues and organs in the body. The massage loosens taut muscles, soothes the skin, feels wonderful and releases a sense of well being that can be almost spiritual. Massage is an extremely essential part of aromatherapy, inducing relaxation of both mind and body and also acting therapeutically to treat minor ailments. While aromatherapists vary in massage techniques, their common aim is to combine the power of touch and the power of the oils they are using.
Inhalation is the ideal method for treating respiratory disorders. When inhaled, essential oils affect our bodies in several ways. The essential oil component enters the nasal passages where it stimulates the olfactory nerve. This sends messages directly into the limbic system. The limbic system, located in the brain, is the seat of memory, learning and emotion. The inhalation of the essential oils triggers changes within the limbic system which in turn can stimulate physiological responses within the body via the nervous, endocrine or immune systems. Either stimulation or sedation of body systems or organs may occur. Although you can buy vaporizers, making a steam tent can attain the same effect. Put a few drops of the oil of your choice into a bowl of very hot, steaming water. Bend over the bowl and pull a towel over both your head and the bowl to capture the steam beneath the tent. Inhale the steamy droplets, and as your sinuses and airways begin to clear, you will be able to inhale bigger draughts of the scented water so that the powerful antiseptic properties of the oils can really get to work.
There are, of course, other methods to absorb the oils. A bath is one such method. Essences can be added to a bath to aid sleeping, help skin problems, relieve pains, or simply for pleasure. Another method is to make a compress. This method is good for treating muscle pain and bruises, as well as reducing pain and congestion in internal organs.
Different oils have different properties and are useful for different maladies. There are eight systems of the human body that the different oils can affect: the skin; circulation, muscles and joints; the respiratory system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, the immune system, the nervous system, plus the mind.
The results of treatment are unique to each person. While there is general agreement about the actions of oils, aromatherapy texts vary in their descriptions of the properties and characteristics of the oils. In addition, no two people are affected by the same oil in the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day or mood.
Now is time for the red flag warning. Don’t go buy essential oils and start mixing them together! You must be careful because some of the oils can be dangerous or harmful. In general, those oils that are commonly available are safe to use. However, do not take essential oils internally without consulting a trained aromatherapist or doctor. They can be very harmful and damage the lining of the digestive tract. Before trying these techniques, you should consult an aromatherapist. There are many good books on the subject which explain the techniques and proper uses of the oils in more detail.
As many of you who are reading this are in the industry, you probably already know that you must be cautious when purchasing essential oils. As our good friend Jean-Pierre Subrenat pointed out in one of his previous articles, there are many so-called “natural” oils being sold that are not and cannot be natural at all! This reminds me of stories you would hear about people in days gone by travelling from town to town selling concoctions that they profess could cure anything or make anybody fall in love with you. Well, just like the past, there are still people involved in the same type of scams. The method of the scam is just a little different today, but the purpose is the same.
The problem with aromatherapy is that there aren’t many “authorities” on the subject. If you search for aromatherapy on the Internet, you will have thousands of sites selling all kinds of oils. When you combine the virtually unregulated aromatherapy industry with the completely uncontrollable atmosphere of the Internet, there will undoubtedly be charlatans.
This is not to say that aromatherapy itself is a scam. You just have to research you oils before you buy them. Talk to a legitimate aromatherapist. Also, while the oils do have therapeutic properties, it is always a good idea to see a medical doctor if you have a serious ailment.
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