Aromatherapy: History and Benefits of Essential Oils
Aromatherapy, a practice that dates back thousands of years, has its origins in the ancient traditions of various cultures. It has evolved over the centuries to become a recognised natural treatment method, using the virtues of essential oils for the well-being of body and mind.
History of Aromatherapy
1. The Origins and Evolution of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, as we know it today, has its roots in the ancestral practices of Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilisations. These cultures already used aromatic herbs, infused in oils, to treat ailments. The term “aromatherapy” was introduced in 1928 by the chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé, marking the beginning of a scientific era in the use of essential oils.
2. Essential oil extraction methods
Essential oils are obtained mainly by three methods: steam distillation, cold pressing for citrus fruits, and enfleurage or solvent extraction for delicate flowers. These refined techniques were developed and perfected over time, notably by Avicenna in the 11th century and by European alchemists in the Middle Ages.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Therapeutic properties of essential oils
Thanks to their active chemical compounds, essential oils offer a multitude of health and well-being benefits. They can be used for relaxation, to combat insomnia, to reduce stress or as antiseptics. Each oil has unique properties, acting both physically and psychologically. However, their high concentration means that they should be used with care and in the recommended doses.
The main essential oils and their uses
The combination of orange and lavender for a relaxing effect.
Peppermint, known for its anti-nausea properties.
Ylang ylang, an excellent anti-stress agent.
A blend of orange, lavender and thyme, ideal for promoting peaceful sleep.
Preserving essential oils
Preserving quality and effectiveness
Proper storage of essential oils is essential to maintaining their effectiveness. Factors such as temperature, oxygen and light can affect their properties. What’s more, each oil has a specific shelf life, which can vary from a few months to several years.
By combining tradition and science, aromatherapy offers a natural approach to improving quality of life. Its essential oils, although effective, must be used with knowledge and caution. They are a treasure trove of nature, accessible to all for a healthier, more harmonious life.
The noble laurel, whose botanical name is Laurus nobilis, belongs to the Lauraceae family. Its essential oil is produced from its leaves (young leaves) and fruiting branches. History of Noble Laurel This tree has been venerated since ancient times by the Greeks and Romans. They adorned their emperor’s head with a laurel wreath. Dedicated to … Read more
How to treat a baby’s cold? The rhinovirus (HVR = Human Rhino Virus) was discovered in the 1950s. The etiological agents (pathogens) put forward are those of the common cold with respiratory tropism. This virus grows in the nasal passages and generally circulates in all countries and all year round. Children are the main reservoir of HRV, however, it should … Read more
Immortelle, whose botanical name is Helichrysum italicum, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its essential oil is obtained by distilling its aerial flowering parts. Immortelle is found in Corsica in the taxon“ssp italicum” for coastal, scrubland and scree plantations. The taxon“ssp serotinum“, which is more continental, is practically non-existent in Corsica. Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum is … Read more
The clove tree, whose botanical name is Eugenia caryophyllus, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Its essential oil is obtained by distilling the air-dried flower buds known as “cloves”, and the pedicels known as “claws”. History of Clove Grown for a long time on the Moluccan islands, the clove tree is part of Ayurvedic medicine (1500 … Read more
Geranium, whose botanical name is Pelargonium graveolens, belongs to the Geraniaceae family. Its essential oil is obtained by distilling its leaves. History of the Geranium The rose Geranium is an aromatic perennial bushy plant with a branched habit. Its name comes from the Greek “perlagos” meaning “stork”, as its fruit is reminiscent of a stork’s … Read more
Wintergreen was known and used for a long time by Amerindians for inflammatory pathologies . The Indians in fact made an enormous consumption of wintergreen, both internally, against infectious diseases , to bring down fever, and externally, to relieve their pain and heal their wounds. A little history At the beginning of the 19th century, the Iroquois prepared “ Swains panacea ”, … Read more
In ancient Egypt, papyri almost 5,000 years old indicate the presence of fennel at that time. It is the same for Mesopotamian tablets from Babylon or from Assyria. Quoted and widely used by the Greeks, Arabs and Chinese, fennel also appears in certain botanical literary works of the Middle Ages. This plant has therefore long been considered a … Read more
Originally from the Austral lands, eucalyptus will give birth to many species , some of which, very interesting, will be exploited in the medicinal field . The term Eucalyptus comes from the Greek “ eu ” and “ kaluptos ” which mean respectively “ well ” and “ covered” , probably in reference to its stamens perfectly closed by a operculum. A little history Discovered in the 18th century in … Read more
Lemon eucalyptus is a plant native to the Australian continent as well as Madagascar. The Aborigines had in fact always known its powerful antibacterial properties . Lemon eucalyptus was also used to dry out swampy areas in the subtropics. The aborigines of Australia used the sap of the eucalyptus or “gum tree” in direct application on their wounds in order … Read more
Tarragon, whose botanical name is Artemisia dracunculus, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its producing organs are its aerial parts. The history of tarragon Tarragon was introduced to Europe during the Crusades. But it has a long tradition as a medicinal plant and spice in Asia and Siberia. As well as being used in cookery books, … Read more
Black spruce is native to Canada’s boreal forest. For centuries, Indian peoples have passed on orally from generation to generation the use of this conifer for its therapeutic virtues. It is remarkable to note that very early on, these peoples used the different parts of the plant perfectly and with great discernment, whether applied locally, … Read more
Since ancient times, frankincense, along with myrrh and other aromatics, was among the drugs burned in temples during religious ceremonies. These odoriferous fumigations are also currently still in use and are part of the rites of current religions. A mythical and ritual plant of all civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, incense has therefore been the object of all desires. of the … Read more
Cypress was part of the medical material of the ancient Egyptians, as evidenced by various papyri. Its reddish yellow wood, practically incorruptible, was used to make sarcophagi to keep mummies. Tradition has often dedicated this tree to the cult of the dead and to the ornamentation of cemeteries because of its dark foliage and its eternally green color ( semper … Read more
Cilantro is one of the oldest aromatic herbs in the world . In Antiquity, the Romans were keen on it. The spice appears in more than 70 dishes from the collection of recipes of the gastronomic Roman Apicius . It is mentioned in Sanskrit writings, the Ebers papyrus , the Old Testament … without forgetting its use in China, more than 2000 years ago … This plant, in … Read more
Ceylon citronella oil is a natural product that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and aromatic properties. It is known for its mosquito-repellent properties and its lemon balm-like fragrance. Its use dates back to the 17th century, when the military surgeon Nicolas Grimm experimented with it as an antiseptic. Ceylon citronella essential oil … Read more
As everyone knows, lemon is a citrus fruit, a word whose etymological roots directly refer to its pungent and sour flavor . In the fifth century BC, Sophocles referred to the orange and the lemon under the same name of “golden apples” ( which for a long time suggested that these two fruits could indeed have some relation with apples. from … Read more
The virtues of chamomile flowers have been known since the dawn of time. Although not of Roman origin, tradition has it that it was named so because a German botanist and physician Camerarius rediscovered it in the 16th century in Rome. The flower head is used in herbalism, traditionally to facilitate digestion . In liquorice, it gives a bitter flavor to aperitifs. The … Read more
Bearberry is one of the great omissions from medical literature throughout antiquity. The Middle Ages fared little better, considering that the earliest documents relating to it date back only to the 12th century: some English books mention its use, and it is even mentioned in a 13th-century Welsh herbarium entitled Les médecins de Myddfai (The … Read more
Discovered by botanists in 1925 in the Juriti Velho region (States of Para), this tree was named “rosewood” because of the delicately scent of its wood . The study of this tree revealed that it contained an essential oil of an exceptional richness in linalool , an odorous substance precursor of the perfume of lavender. A thriving extractive industry developed in the Amazon … Read more
In the citrus tribe, bergamot stands out, not only because it is a funny phenomenon full of sparkling and charming, but also because we wanted to attribute several places of birth and equally numerous parents. Indeed, some say that it comes from the west: they claim that it was Christopher Columbus who discovered the bergamot tree in … Read more