Published with permission from Green valley Aromatherapy Ltd.
Aromatherapy dates back to early India when it started as Ayurvedic Medicine. It was believed that applying elements of the natural world to the body and treatment of the whole person was the way to effect positive health and healing.
China has books dating back to 4000 BC that record the use of essential oils. Egypt used these oils for embalming, medicines, perfumes and cosmetics. Greece adopted the skill of Aromatherapy. It was a Greek named Galen who first developed the bases for cold cream, and we still use his methods in today”s cosmetics. Greek soldiers are known to have carried Myrrh essential oil into the battle field to heal wounds. Rome borrowed from the Greeks and began using essential oils. One use was in their famous Roman Baths. The Romans were an aggressive people, and the use of essential oils spread throughout the lands that the Romans conquered.
England became enamored with the art of aromatherapy and helped spread its use through the crusades, establishing trade routes and spreading the word throughout the rest of Europe. World exploration was motivated by a search for spices and oils, not land. Monks and Nuns tended herb gardens and furthered interest and benefits of essential oils and herbs in general.
In 1665, a Monk invented Eau de Cologne, named after the city in which he lived at the time. We still use it today.
During the Black Plaque, it was found that those working with essential oils were immune to the deadly disease. In 1722, a quartet of robbers combined a potion of essential oils in vinegar to protect themselves when plundering bodies during the Great Plague. It was called 4 Thieves Vinegar. It can be proven today scientifically that essential oils are antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal etc. In the 1800s, the simple conclusion to these unscrupulous men”s success without becoming ill themselves was that the essential oils themselves possessed something that shielded the thieves from the disease. Green Valley’s Terminator blend is a version of the Thieves Blend.
Napoleon was known to use great quantities of Rosemary water. Rosemary essential oil has the property of enlivening the brain, helping with memory, concentration. Maybe Napoleon forgot to use it when planning the Battle of Waterloo?
In the 19th century scientific advances were responsible for the decline in herbal therapy. Scientists were now able to synthetically reproduce in the laboratory many of natural occurring substances. For example, they discovered and reproduced aspirin, which occurs naturally in willow trees.
In the 20th century herbal remedies and essential oils have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, and have been studied, and proven scientifically to be effective in treating a number of medical problems. Essential oils have been shown to affect healing of skin, strengthening the immune system, and are also capable of relieving emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression. 1920, two Italian doctors, Gattefosse and Cayola demonstrated the psychotherapeutic effects of inhaling essential oils. Our sense of smell has, by reflex action, an enormous influence on the central nervous system.
An example of how this works:
Clary Sage essential oil stimulates the thalamus to release a hormone called encephalon, which is a neurochemical that creates a sense of euphoria and simultaneously gives pain relief. This all happens within seconds of inhalation. Thus Clary Sage is a known relaxing, calming essential oil.
Ylang ylang essential oil stimulates the pituitary gland into releasing endorphins, a sexually stimulating neurochemical. Thus Ylang Ylang is considered an aphrodisiac.
Lavender essential oil, Chamomile (R) essential oil, or Neroli essential oil stimulate the release of serotonin, which has a calming effect on fear, stress, aggravation and sleeplessness. Thus these essential oils are used to combat anxiety, and are recommended to help relax and aid in sleep.
© Green Valley Aromatherapy. Green Valley Aromatherapy is a wholesale and retail supplier of pure essential oils and aromatherapy products. www.57aromas.com.
