The history of aromatherapy is a fascinating journey with the Egyptian’s having the earliest records dating back to 4500BC. Then around AD 1000, Avicenna was the first to distill Rose in Arabia which later became known as the world’s center for of perfume production.
The art of perfumery became popular again later in the 12th century in Europe and the beginning of the great European perfumiers began in the 15th century.
The 17th century saw Nicholas Cuplpepper, author his famous book Culpepper’s Complete Herbal: A Book of Natural Remedies of Ancient Ills. This is when the therapeutic properties of essential oils started to become known.
Scientists then found a way of producing synthetic fragrances in the 19th century and the benefits of essential oils and their natural properties unfortunately took a back seat.
Then in the 1920s, the father of modern-day aromatherapy, René-Maurice Gattefossé, coined the term ‘aromatherapy’ after an accident in his laboratory led him to realise the healing benefits of lavender essential oil.
In the mid 1960s, Dr Jean Valnet published the book Aromathérapie which is still used today by many Aromatherapists. Around the same time, Marguerite Maury discovered the benefits of using essential oils through massage.
As you can see the history of aromatherapy has come a long way. This post is just a very brief snapshot but you can find more information about the history of aromatherapy here.
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