Where Aromatherapy Oils Come From

Aromatherapy oils are something that not many people know about, but very often associate this with homeopathic medicine. While this may be true in some places this in fact not the only thing that it is associated with, however this is also a practise that non-homeopathic individuals can incorporate into their lives without having to resort to going to a professional for advice. Often getting advice like this can be expensive, time consuming and more confusing than when you had entered into the consultation.

The first thing that most people will wonder is what exactly are they and where do they originate from. Aromatherapy oils are quite simple extracted oils from selected plants and herbs. These are believed to have beneficial effects on one's health depending on what kind of oil they choose to use. This is also dependent on the dosage of the oil one uses, which determines the desired effect from the product.

Essential oils can be used for aroma therapeutic purposes, in that they can be burnt over a candle, as incense sticks and be used for diffusing in warm water or in baths. Different essential oils have different affects, like aromatherapy oils however essential oils can often be highly concentrated therefore it is more important to dilute the oils otherwise the affects can be too strong. Aromatherapy uses essential oils for medicinal purposes rather than just as fragrant scented oil.

For most aromatherapy oils can be used for spiritual purposes and can work hand-in-hand with yogis who use the oils to create a relaxing atmosphere and a calming scent to the air. Aromatherapy is not a new practise and is in fact one of the oldest forms of alternative medicines to be practised. It is believed that these have been the first influences for many pharmaceutical products which have benefited many in small and minor ailments.

Historically aromatherapy can be dated back to ancient Egypt, whereby fragrant oils and burners were used more for cosmetic purposes and scenting the body. Many of these would come in stick form or as a cone, which would be placed on the head to gradually melt and create an appealing smell to the body. This was stretched as far as embalming dead bodies before mummification, in their quest for finding eternal youth and immortality. This was also a technique for preserving the bodies of royalty and as a preparation for the afterlife.

Between 1539 and 657 BC the Egyptians continued to refine their oils, creating medicinal essential oils and treating wounds with the herbs used for extracting the oils. Furthermore they became masters in perfumery and cosmetics that a little trip from Julius Caesar influenced the spreading of essential oils and perfumery around 48 BC after conquering Egypt. In celebration of their victory, he tossed small bottles of perfumes as a sign of his complete domination over the country.

Aromatherapy oils were also used in Ancient Greece where the great physician Hippocrates used herbal baths and ointments to treat minor illnesses and for use in mild physiotherapy. Hippocrates was believed to have influenced the idea that illnesses were not caused by supernatural happenings but had natural occurrences resulting in the ailments. It was because of his innovative approaches to medicine that the medical world today has been able to advance their researches and find cures for diseases.

A little known French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse studied medicinal properties of essential oils when working in the perfumery business with his family. During an experiment in his laboratory there was an explosion, which left Gattefosse's hand to be badly burnt. In an instant reaction he plunged his hand into the nearest cool liquid, which just so happened to be lavender oil. This miraculously accelerated the healing process and impressively left no scars. This then fuelled his ambition to research essential oils, resulting in him publishing his groundbreaking book on aromatherapy.

A new wave of aromatherapy hit the Western world making it a practise for many people to see and feel its benefits. Many of the oils were used to treat gangrene for WWI veterans, treating patients with psychological problems and alleviating stress bringing harmony and peace.

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