Introduction to aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been known to the world from ancient times. Aromatherapy is nothing but the uses of volatile plant oils that includes essential oils to treat common ailments. It also helps to balance both the body and the mind. Essential oils, extract from the plant can provide physical and emotional benefits when used properly and safely. The aroma of the natural essential oil helps to stimulate the brain and supply therapeutic benefits. The use of essential oil dates back to thousands of years and was not introduced to the people until 20th century.

Ancient Chinese had used the aromatic oils for general well-being. They believed that the aromatic plants help to create balance between body and mind.

Then Egyptians used plant oils for cosmetics, medicinal, and spiritual relaxation. Thus results in various fragrance industries and aromatic medicines.

Greek was supposed to follow the techniques of Egyptians. They also used herbs and oil for medicinal and cosmetics.

The Romans developed the techniques of Egyptians and Greeks. They used their techniques for distillation and extraction of aromatic floral water which advantages for natural medicine. Discorde wrote a book named De Material Medica that deals with the properties of 500 plants and herbs.

As days passed on, the merchants spread aromatherapy to the Europe. They also began to use aromatic oils for physical and psychological well-being.

There was a gradual development in the field of aromatherapy from the late 20th century to the 21st century. The use of essential oils becomes more popular than ever before. The essential oils have been used for therapeutic, cosmetic, spiritual and fragrance.

The essential oils are also extracted from flowers, fruits, bark and roots. The preparation is of two types, steam distilled or cold-pressed. Today the essential oils are incorporated through massage, bath and compresses. The oils are all standard for pleasing aroma. Totally aromatherapy is considered to be ‘natural magic’.

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